Hey! I'm going to start by letting you know I'm trying to make my pen name Tainted Mercy, not taintedx11. FanFiction isn't entirely cooperating at the moment, but at least it let me post this fic! This Bleach fan story is the first I've ever posted; I wrote it about a year ago and decided to see what people thought. All criticism is welcome, I'm still learning some of the terms on this site but I'm beginning to catch on. You could say I have, in a way, made my own canon for this story. I'm not caught up on Bleach, I haven't read or watched the Winter War yet, but I thought after it would be a good timeframe to place my fic. I'll stop babbling now. Enjoy!


Chapter 1 – Toshiro

The soft rays of the morning sun flitted in through the thin, spotless windows of the Squad Ten Captain's work quarters, dotting sections of the room. Though no doors or windows were ajar, the wind carried plenty of voices from around the barracks, alive with anticipation.

Normally, these voices would have been a tad dull, lined with clear boredom. But today there was special training with members of the other Squads. A technique used long before the Winter War was being brought back for the first time, and needless to say, many of the Soul Reaper's were excited.

The Winter War ruined numerous things for countless beings. When it was over, many were fearful and constantly on edge. It took time to rebuild the confidence within the Soul Society, and get used to the way things were now, as they'd never be like before. However, with discipline and strong leaders, days began to operate smoothly once again. Everyone was allowed to relax at some point or another, presently.

Toshiro was the exception. He couldn't seem to relax no matter how long he lied in his bedroom with the lights off and sound blocked. He ended up thinking over ideas and events that were supposed to be locked in the back of his brain, where he had hoped they would never be touched.

He didn't have a case of insomnia. He could sleep. Just not unwind. Which caused him to not sleep well. What one could view as a problem, he saw as an advantage. He was able to push himself to the point of exhaustion without hesitating, because if he did otherwise, he would stare at the ceiling for hours, fidgeting.

Toshiro glanced up from his desk. He'd been here since three in the morning, alone, though now he sensed something. A kick in spiritual pressure. Sure enough, when he spared a second to confirm he was signing his name on the correct line, he found himself face to face with a rosy Rangiku.

He was surprised he hadn't smelt her before he saw her. Her saki bottle was tall, wide, and almost empty. Who knows how many she had consumed before that one. Though if Toshiro had to guess by her condition, she'd not stopped drinking since last night and pulled an all-nighter.

"Captain! This saki tastes great! Try some," Rangiku insisted in a woozy, fast-paced voice. She shoved the bottle towards him and toppled over in the process. He rolled his eyes, catching the bottle swiftly in one hand so it didn't splatter all over his neat papers.

"I do not care to," He rejected, responding with his official tone of authority. When she took a while to move, he grumbled, "Did you faint?"

"Ta-da!" She screeched, throwing her arms up and reappearing. She took no notice of his question. Toshiro didn't feel enough pity for her to even pretend to play her game. He raised one snowy eyebrow, an annoyed gesture of his, and then returned to his work.

Rangiku couldn't be silent if her liquor counted on it. She stumbled about the cabin, her feet catching on the wood boards every yard, causing her to face plant to the ground. At first she would wail, followed by a squeak, and finished off with giggling. He didn't have a clue how she originally managed to appear so quickly and quietly.

Toshiro had little patience. Sometimes with complete strangers, but he avoided situations that called for that. With Rangiku… His patience was virtually invisible.

"Why do you drink so heavily that you become entirely intolerable and lose all sense of direction and duty? Couldn't you do that without the liquor? I've seen it," He claimed in a lightly strained voice, attempting to stay relatively calm. "So what else does it do for you?"

Rangiku turned her head towards him, crawled from her place on the floor and came to a stop at the front of his desk, sitting on her feet in the normal Japanese fashion. Toshiro felt like a schoolteacher instead of a Captain, at the moment.

She peered up at him, the vigor in her drunken eyes gone. Sadness replaced it. "Saki dulls the pain," She said simply.

"The pain of what?" Toshiro prodded, not finding her answer satisfactory. Rangiku stared at her hands, which sat in her lap.

"The pain of not having someone you love by your side."

Toshiro studied her and held back his exasperated sigh. Rangiku has missed Gin ever since he departed from the Soul Society to join Aizen. His betrayal was not only to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, but to her as well. Now that he is forever dead, she has no chance to salvage what was left of that cruel soul she loved. I doubt she would have been able to rehabilitate him anyway. But it'd be best if I not tell her that.

"You are excused from your duties today," Toshiro commanded, setting his pen down. "But you are to not even look at another saki bottle. The single thing you are to drink is water. Go back to your quarters and rest. Understood?"

Rangiku shot him a knowing grin and uneasily got to her feet. Her airy joyfulness had returned. "Yes, Captain!" She saluted him and teetered out the door. He watched her leave, rubbing his forehead as if to forget she came. Back to important matters, Toshiro thought wearily, scanning through his many still unreviewed and unsigned documents.

Toshiro stood from his desk, his hand automatically sliding to the sheath of his Zanpaktu. He took a moment to stretch, glad to be free of his work. Though it was past midnight, and he hadn't slept long the previous night, exhaustion was not yet calling him. He decided he'd get in some practice.

He glided out the door of his study and down the walking corridor, nodding to the guard by his living quarters. He had not made it halfway to his secret training area in the far off field when a Hell Butterfly descended from the sky. He outstretched his hand, waiting until it landed softly on his index finger. Toshiro's eyes widened as it shot the message to him telepathically, something the butterflies could be programed to do if the sender wanted the receiver to be the only one to receive the message.

As the last words passed through his mind, he tried to grasp the intent of the order. It was blunt and definitely not expected. Report immediately to Squad One Captain Yamamoto's quarters. Lieutenant Matsumoto is not to accompany you.

Toshiro changed his initial direction, shunpoing for Squad One's barracks. He felt his shoulders tense and he was sure his jaw was set. What could this be about, so late in the night? It must be vital information if it couldn't wait until dawn. He increased the speed of his pace. I would believe the message was for all Captains, but if it had been, it would have merely said lieutenants, not Lieutenant Matsumoto. It would be rather odd if they sent out different ones with slight differences, instead of making one and copying it, as they usually do.

Toshiro arrived at the barracks, taking a few twists and turns until he stood in front of the Head Captain's sanctuary. He was surprised when he found that Yamamoto's lieutenant wasn't present to lead him in, though he didn't give anything away from his expression. He preferred to stay as stoic as possible, even in the eyes of the trusted Court Guard Squads.

He knocked lightly on the door, and within a few seconds it parted a foot, allowing him entry. Toshiro glanced inside suspiciously, and was greeted with the familiar, booming voice of the Head Captain himself.

"Captain Hitsuguya, enter."

He did as he was told, stepping into the dimly lit room and shutting the door noiselessly behind him. He could make out Yamamoto on the far side of the room, sitting at his desk. He gestured Toshiro forward, who complied. He came to a stop in front of the Captain's desk, and let the steady silence fill the room for a minute before he said faintly, "You summoned me, Head Captain?"

"Yes. Let us skip the pleasantries. I have a mission for you," Yamamoto informed him, his long beard shifting as he talked. Toshiro knelt respectfully.

"I will accept any mission you have for me, sir." Anticipation prickled up his spine as he uttered the words, curious what the Head Captain had in store for him. How long will I be away? A better question: who will keep Rangiku in line?

Yamamoto stood, grabbing his cane hidden behind his desk, and leaned forward ever so slightly.

"Toshiro Hitsuguya, Captain of Squad Ten, I assign you to the mission of safeguarding Karakura Town. With Hollow attacks increasing in frequency and violence, I am sending you and Lieutenant Matsumoto to accompany Rukia Kuchiki, Lieutenant Abari, and Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki to ward off the Hollows and receive more intelligence on why the consistent attacks may be occurring. Kurosaki has applied for your housing, as he has for Kuchiki and Abari. Urahuara will supply your gigai. You will do everything necessary to obtain information, within the bounds of everyone's safety."

Toshiro had to take it all in. He was going to Karakura? He hadn't been there for years now, since before Aizen's offense. I'll be with Rangiku, Rukia, Renji and Ichigo again. I wonder if I'll be enrolled in that boring facility another time? At least Ikkaku won't be there to draw attention with that damned stick of his.

"Understood, Head Captain. When am I to depart?" He questioned humbly.

"Immediately."


I hope you guys liked it! Again, give me all the feedback you want, flames and all. I got my fire extinguisher ready. I've already posted the second chapter to go with this one, it wouldn't be fair to give you all so little to start with. Thanks for reading!