"There was a disappearance many years ago in one of the noble families. We did a search when it first happened, but nothing turned up. The family was content, until now." The speaker was an older man, but he spoke with the authority he deserved.

"Head Captain Yamamoto, what do you mean by, 'until now'?" This time, the speaker looked to be a teenager of about sixteen or so. He had stark white hair, and turquoise eyes. He stood across from Yamamoto Genryūsai, and next to him was an adult with black hair and dark eyes. Both had Shinigami uniforms with the captain's haori.

"New information has been found concerning their missing daughter, according to them. They are on their way here. I told them I would find some people to head the search and that is why you two are here. Currently, we have no pressing engagements, and the World of the Living is being protected by those such as Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia. As such, you Captain Hitsugaya, and you, Captain Kuchiki, are going to head the new search. Take those you feel are competent, and then go to meet the family and gather what intel you need. You can take anyone you see fit. I'll have a talk with the other captains, letting them know to help you however they can. The family will be here within the hour. Dismissed."

"Yes, sir," Hitsugaya Toshiro and Kuchiki Byuakuya answered together. They both turned and left, agreeing that each would go find two people to help them with their mission.

Byakuya Kuchiki began to walk around the Seireitei, looking for those that could help them. He had decided that he would enlist the help of his Lieutenant, Abarai Renji, and possibly Madarame Ikkaku. His lieutenant was the first that he found. "Renji, I need your help with a mission. Meet me at the Squad One barracks in twenty minutes."

"Yes, sir." Renji took off to get ready. Byakuya continued searching for the other person that would aid them in their mission. He couldn't find Ikkaku, instead locating Kira Izuru, the Lieutenant of Squad Three. He had found no one better, and the deadline he'd set for Renji was rapidly approaching.

"Izuru, will you help me with an important mission. I'm short one person."

"Of course, Captain Kuchiki. Where and when shall we meet?" Izuru replied.

"The Squad One barracks in about ten minutes. I will see you there soon."

"Yes, sir." Izuru took off, presumably to make ready himself. Byakuya headed back towards the Squad One barracks.

Toshiro pondered as to who he would ask to join the mission. Definitely not Matsumoto Rangiku, his Lieutenant. Perhaps the Third and Fifth Seats from Squad Eleven. Ayasegawa Yumichika was a good addition, but Toshiro worried about Ikkaku. He had a tendency to jump into battles in a way that would like get them or, if they did find her, their charge killed. 'Still, if I ask Yumichika, Ikkaku is going to want in on the mission, or he won't stop pestering me about it. It's also a good excuse to not let Matsumoto join in on this one.' Toshiro headed down to the Squad Eleven barracks. He was met by Zaraki Kenpachi, the captain of Squad Eleven.

"What are you doing here, Toshiro?" Kenpachi asked.

"It's Captain Hitsugaya. And I have a mission in which I shall need the assistance of two of your seated officers."

"Oh, really? Who?"

"Third Seat Ikkaku Madarame and Fifth Seat Ayasegawa Yumichika."

'Very well. I received a Hell Butterfly not too long ago that told me to cooperate." With those words, Kenpahci turned. He yelled over his shoulder for the two specified Shinigami. When they appeared, Toshiro told them to meet him at the Squad One barracks in approximately fifteen minutes. That would leave him with about five to himself before anyone else arrived. He headed back to the Squad One barracks to wait for the others.

Toshiro had no sooner arrived and sat down to wait, when Byakuya appeared. Toshiro stood. It was Izuru who appeared first, followed shortly by Ikkaku and Yumichika. Renji was the last to arrive. All were within the time constraints that two captains had given them.

"Let's go," Byakuya said as he turned to go inside the barracks where Captain Yamamoto was waiting for them. The noble family was already there, and the Head-Captain introduced the search party to the them. The mother had long black hair that fell to about her waist, and purple eyes that were the symbol of their clan. The father had short cropped brown hair, with green eyes.

"My name," the father began, "is Shiun Kehaimaru. This is my wife, Anzuru." Those present all bowed in greeting, and it was Byakuya that introduced the Shinigami.

"My name is Kuchiki Byakuya. This is Captain Histugaya Toshiro. The ones behind us are Abarai Renji, my Lieutenant, Kira Izuru, the Lieutenant of Squad Three, and Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika, the Third Seat and Fifth Seat respectively. We will do our best to find your daughter." The Nobles bowed in return.

"I understand," the Head-Captain began, "that you have information about the possible location of your daughter. We will need to know everything if we are to begin the investigation."

Kehaimaru bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Our daughter, Shiun Suika, went missing at the age of three. We are not sure if she was kidnapped or just wandered off, but recently, we received a message from someone in the Rukongai that they may know Suika. The reports say that she resides in one of the West Rukongai districts, somewhere up in the seventies." Most of the Shinigami present gave a small gasp. The Rukongai districts were numbered one to eighty, with eighty being the district with the worst crime.

"Who was it that gave the lead?" Toshiro asked.

"Shiba Kūkaku."

Toshiro stood in thoughtful silence. Kūkaku didn't like Shinigami that much, so she probably had some ulterior motive to put into action. "We'll start by talking to her, assuming that we can find her, and then move onto searching the Rukongai." He looked over his shoulder at the others. "Does anyone have an objection to that plan?" No one spoke up.

"Shinigami, we leave it in your hands." The Nobles turned and left. The Head-Captain nodded at them as they went.

When they had safely departed, Captain Yamamoto turned to the others in the room with him. "You have your orders. Now go!"

"Yes, sir!" was the collective reply, and the company departed for the West Gate, guarded by Ikkanzaka Jidanbō.

A/N: In this, Toshiro has grown, and actually LOOKS like a teenager now.

The Japanese names: Kehai - Worry, Anzuru - Fear, Suika - Watermelon

The translations might be worng, but I got them off teh interwebs. I tried my best with the rest of the names, trying to get the right spelling and everything in, what with accents and symbols and all... And I'll take Title suggestions, as I could think of none.

I do not own Bleach, much as I would like to... That would be Tite Kubo.

Comment/Review/Whateverit'scalled...

~Yuki