The next installment of Toushiro's adventures with the great saiyan prince Vegeta. Sequel to To The Rescue.


A Second Chance

The war was over. Sosuke Aizen, the former Captain of Squad 5 who betrayed the 13 Court Guard Squads and the Soul Society, has been defeated at long last. He was easily overpowered and shortly afterwords met his end in the jaws of Squad 10's second lieutenant. Vegeta and his friends arrived at the battle grounds just in the nick of time to stop Aizen from killing any of the Soul Reapers. While Goku and the others helped the other captains and lieutenants as well the injured, Vegeta went straight for Aizen. Aizen's Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, had the ability of perfect hypnoses... Except it wasn't perfect as Kyoka Suigetsu's special ability had no effect on Vegeta. By the time he realized it... It was far too late for Aizen and Vegeta killed him with ease. Kaname Tosen, former Captain of Squad 9, was killed in battle long before help arrived and while Aizen was being killed, Coge, Vegeta's older brother, fled the battle. His fate his unknown but Vegeta knows he'll be back someday. As for the Hogyoku, Vegeta destroyed it to prevent anything like this from happening again... Much to Urahara's surprising delight. The orb was powerful but the saiyan prince's power proved to be much greater. A week has passed since then and everything was getting back to normal in the Seireitei with a few new changes. One of the new changes is that the 13 Court Guard Squad Captains worked along side the Z Fighters to change or improve some of the laws. Now the Z Fighters and Ichigo Kurosaki's friends were aloud to visit the Soul Society whenever they wanted. During the war Ichigo's father, Isshin Kurosaki, was discovered to be a Soul Reaper and so now he and Ichigo's two little sisters Yuzu and Karin were also aloud to visit. Because Aizen and two other captains betrayed the Soul Society, the 13 Court Guard Squads were weak in power, even after the war. But some relief was found when the Saboron Val, Vegeta's childhood friend, became the Captain of Squad 5 and her daughter Mika becoming the squads 3rd seat officer. Momo Hinamori, Toushiro's childhood friend and lieutenant of Squad 5, welcomed them with joy and so did Squad 7's captain Sajin Komamura as he was no longer the only animal to be a Soul Reaper. During the World Martial Arts Tournament, the Saboron surprised everyone when she cut through Gin Ichimaru's barrier. Barriers made by kido spells were hard to brake and were nearly impossible to brake when used by a captain. So it was no surprise to anyone when Val became a captain. The week after the war was full of surprises as 6 unexpected survivors appeared. The Arrancar Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and her two companions, Dondochakka Bilstin and Pesche Guatiche, came back with Ichigo and his friends. Because they had helped the Substitute Soul Reaper and his friends rescue Orihime, Head-Captain Yamamoto gladly aloud them to live in the living world and now all three stay with Urahara. Two other survivors were Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and Ulquiorra Cifer. Since they were the only two Espada who didn't harm the Soul Society in any way, they were aloud to stay in the living world under some circumstances. They had to promise never to harm anyone without a very good reason, so in order to keep them in line, Grimmjow now stays with Goku and his family and Ulquiorra stays with Piccolo at the Lookout. All five now lived peacefully in the living world, helping to protect the innocent. But today was different in the Soul Society. A captains meeting was called to order as to decide the fate of the last survivor... Gin Ichimaru. Because Gin was the other traitor, not only were all of the captains and lieutenants present but Goku, Piccolo, Ichigo, Supreme Kai, Gohan and Roshi were as well. Even Grimmjow and Ulquiorra were there. All of them looked down at him as he begged for their forgiveness... And failed.

Yamamoto: "We've heard enough Gin Ichimaru! What you have done is unforgivable!"

Gin: "Please sir, I-"

Yamamoto: "Silence!"

But Gin still begged. He begged until a certain saiyan swore he saw tears.

Vegeta: "Toushiro... What was the reason Gin left in the first place?"

Toushiro: "No one knows. He never gave a reason."

After hearing his captain say that, Vegeta looked back at Gin with a look that Toushiro knew very well.

Toushiro: "I know what you're thinking Vegeta."

Vegeta: "And?"

Toushiro: "I'm not fond of the idea. I trust you know that. But if you're really sure about this, then go ahead. But only if you know what you're doing."

Toushiro Hitsugaya, the Captain of Squad 10, knew what Vegeta was going to do. The boy knew because while Gin was being held prisoner, he and the saiyan prince talked about it. Toushiro also knew that it was because Vegeta was in a similar situation when he first came to the Soul Society and after the child prodigy worked very hard to save him.

Yamamoto: "Gin Ichimaru... You are accused of treason so I hereby sentence you to-"

Vegeta: "Hold it!"

Just like that, all eyes but Toushiro's and Val's turned to Vegeta. Even Goku, Piccolo, Gohan, Supreme Kai and Roshi were in shock. Val, who had literally grown up with Vegeta, had a pretty good idea of what he was doing.

Goku: "Vegeta?"

Yamamoto: "Lieutenant Vegeta?"

Kurotsuchi: "What on earth do you think you are doing?"

Vegeta: "Grab my shoulder again, Mayuri, and I'll give you a first hand experience of just how nasty I can bite! And I promise you that whatever I bite... I'll keep."

Goku: "He will. I've seen it first hand."

Kurotsuchi removed his hand from Vegeta's shoulder in a heart beat after Goku confirmed the prince's threat to be very real. All eyes followed the second lieutenant as he slowly walked up to the former captain of Squad 3. Gin, who normally had his eyes closed all the time, had them wide open in fear as Vegeta's face loomed only inches away from his. His fear was real as he was only feet away from Aizen when Vegeta ripped his throat out with the very teeth that glinted at him at this very moment.

Vegeta: "Gin Ichimaru."

Gin: "Y-Y-Yes?"

Vegeta: "Why did you betray the Soul Society in the first place? ... And it better be the truth."

Gin: "I-I was only f-following Captain Aizen's orders. I-I was his lieutenant f-f-for some years."

Vegeta: "Is that the only reason? Because you were following you're old captain's orders?"

Gin couldn't summon any words as Vegeta's black eyes pierced into his very being. So, instead he nodded. The saiyan's eyes gazed at the ex-captain for a while, and then...

Vegeta: "Head-Captain Yamamoto. I would like to request that you leave the decision of Gin's fate to me."

Gohan: "What!"

Soifon: "Are you mad!"

Byakuya: "What did you say?"

Piccolo: "Do you have any idea at what you're doing, Vegeta?"

Vegeta: "If I didn't then I wouldn't be talking now, would I?"

Goku: "I have to agree with Vegeta there, Piccolo... And I'm sure he has a good reason for what he's doing."

Vegeta: "Thank you, Kakarot. I do have a good reason."

Yamamoto: "Then by all means please explain, lieutenant."

Vegeta: "With pleasure. I understand that what Gin did was wrong, but it seems unfair to execute him like this. At least give him a second chance. I'll take responsibility for him and I'll give you a report each week on any progress."

Yamamoto: "Tell me, Vegeta. Why are you so interested in giving Ichimaru a second chance?"

Vegeta looked over at Goku. In doing that, Goku knew right away why Vegeta was doing this.

Vegeta: "Because I wouldn't be here if Kakarot hadn't given me a second chance. When I first came to earth, I was as evil as my brother. But even then... Kakarot gave me a second chance. If he hadn't... I wouldn't be here right now."

Toushiro thought back to the World Martial Arts Tournament when he and Goku talked. Then he remembered what Goku had said to his friends to make them trust Vegeta.

Toushiro: "Sometimes a person can become better than what they were before... If given a second chance. Isn't that right, Goku?"

Goku: "That's right, Toushiro. I'm glad you remembered that. Vegeta was indeed as evil as Coge and Aizen when he first came to earth. But I gave him a second chance and look at what he's become now. It's like what I said to Toushiro at the World Martial Arts Tournament. 'Sometimes a person can become better than what they were before... If given a second chance.' Everyone deserves a second chance or are we no better then Aizen or Coge."

Upon hearing the name Coge, all of the captains and lieutenants except Toushiro and Val adopted a somewhat surprised look on their faces. But the expressions soon turned to one of remembering. During the war, Aizen ordered Coge to kill his three strongest Espada as they became weak to the ex-captain's eyes after fighting the Soul Reapers and failing to kill any of them. Coge obeyed his order and the 13 Court Guard Squads watched as the brother of Vegeta slaughtered them mercilessly and with bloodthirsty delight. They were horrified that such a horrifyingly murderous monster was related to their greatest treasure.

Grimmjow: "No offense Vegeta, but that brother of yours is a mad man. He makes me look like a noble or something. He actually scares me a little."

Vegeta: "I've called him worse."

Yamamoto: "Captain Hitsugaya... What are your feelings on this request?"

Toushiro: "Even though I'm not really fond of this idea, I respect Vegeta's decision and am confident that he knows what he's doing... Besides... If Vegeta was able to kill Aizen so easily, then Gin wouldn't be any trouble."

Toushiro smiled when he said that. Without even moving one muscle, Gin looked back at Vegeta. The saiyan prince bared his teeth in a smile similar to Grimmjow's. He was making it clear that what the child prodigy had said was very true. The room fell very silent for a long time as the Head-Captain was thinking. No one dared to speak. Even Grimmjow who showed to have some impressive patience when he concentrated hard enough. After what seemed like an eternity, Yamamoto finally spoke.

Yamamoto: "Lieutenant Vegeta... I am trusting that you know what you are doing. I will surrender Ichimaru to you and am giving you full authority over him. If you believe that he does indeed deserve a second chance after some time, then I will give it to him. If you decide that he is unworthy, then he will be executed accordingly. His fate lies with you."

Vegeta: "Of course, Yamamoto."

Yamamoto: "But I do have some requests of my own."

Vegeta: "Please keep his Zanpakuto locked away and yes, I will give you progress reports."

Yamamoto was actually surprised that Vegeta knew what he was about to request from the saiyan.

Vegeta: "It's not that hard to guess what you're about to say at times."

Kurotsuchi suddenly moved to try and strike the saiyan prince over his head, but Vegeta grabbed his fist before he could do so.

Kurotsuchi: "How dare you talk that way to the Head-Captain!"

Vegeta: "How dare YOU attack a man from behind! And when I said don't touch me again I MEAN IT! GOD ONLY KNOWS WHERE THOSE HANDS HAVE BEEN!"

A good majority of the on-lookers couldn't help but laugh or snicker. Even Ulquiorra was snickering which didn't go unnoticed by Piccolo.

Piccolo: "And you said you don't have any emotions."

Grimmjow was nearly in a full blown laughter.

Grimmjow: "That was great!"

Goku: "Get him going enough and he could make most comedians wince!"

Grimmjow: "Haha! Yes!"

Goku and Grimmjow high-fived each other while everyone else continued to laugh or snicker. But soon all of their laughter stopped when Vegeta turned his attention back to Gin.

Vegeta: "Let's get somethings strait first, Gin. What I say goes! Your life is in my hands and don't even think about trying to suck up to me! Because I really hate that."

Gin: "Yes sir!"

Vegeta: "... ... My god those eyes are creepy."

And so that was the end of the meeting. Everyone was dismissed and the majority of captains and lieutenants went back to their squads. Vegeta and Toushiro said good bye to Goku, Piccolo, Grimmjow, Ulquiorra, Ichigo, Supreme Kai, Gohan and Roshi as they saw them off.

Vegeta: "Hey Grimmjow!"

Grimmjow: "Yeah what is it?"

Vegeta: "Has Kakarot's wife made you fear her yet?"

Grimmjow flinched and winced with fear.

Goku: "Does that answer your question, Vegeta?"

Vegeta: "How long did it take her?"

Goku: "15 minutes."

Toushiro: "Wow! That's fast!"

Vegeta: "Don't feel bad Grimmjow! It took her 5 minutes to make me fear her!"

Grimmjow: "How'd she do that?"

Vegeta: "Shotgun!"

Goku: "She did! Chi Chi actually did pull out a Shotgun at him! You got lucky, Grimmjow! All you got was a frying pan to the head! Vegeta got 3 shots at him!"

Vegeta: "Instant respect!"

Toushiro: "WHAT DID YOU MARRY GOKU?"

Very soon Goku and his group went on their way, leaving Toushiro and Vegeta alone with Gin behind them. They had almost forgotten about him being there.

Toushiro: "So what are you gonna do about him?"

Vegeta: "I'm gonna let him take the rest off the day off. Let it sink in that this is his last chance. Tomorrow is when he starts showing me who he really is!"

The saiyan prince just turned around and looked at Gin.

Vegeta: "Do you understand?"

Gin: "Yes."

Vegeta: "Good."

Gin: "If I may ask... How do I prove myself?"

Vegeta: "I can't tell you, Gin or you'll do just that. All I want you to do is listen and obey me... And to try."

Gin: "To try what?"

Vegeta: "To try and find out who you really are."

And so Toushiro and Vegeta headed back to their squad with Gin trailing behind them. Gin thought that when they got back to Squad 10, Vegeta would start giving him orders. But the saiyan kept his promise and Gin was given the day off. As day turned to night Gin stayed in the office where he was going to sleep. He laid there quietly and stared out the window. Throughout the day he had thought about what Vegeta had said. The saiyan's words echoed in his mind. He was afraid of Vegeta yes, but he was also thankful that at least someone was kind enough to give him a second chance.