Hey all, I'm back! As of now, this story is winning the poll, so I figured I'd write it. However, it's a really busy time for me, and now that summer's here I'll be in and out, so although I'm usually known for posting every day, I'm not making any promises on this story. It will very likely take me longer than usual, but I'll make the chapters longer to make up for it. I hope that doesn't turn you off.

Just so everyone is clear, this is an Alternate Universe story. No shinigami, no dead people, just your lovable Bleach characters. That means that Hitsugaya is actually 12 years old and ages at a normal human rate. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters. I only own my own characters and ideas.

Matsumoto Rangiku walked down the hall of the Hitsugaya mansion towards her charge's room, running over the day's events in her mind one more time. She prayed that she wasn't missing anything. Last time she had forgotten something, she had had to endure a lecture from her charge about responsibility. Ironically, his father couldn't have cared less and was more amused than anything by the situation. Matsumoto smiled to herself. The son was so much more uptight than his father.

She entered the youth's room without knocking. Twelve years of serving as first his nurse, than his playmate, than his secretary/personal assistant, in addition to acting as a mother figure since his own mother had died shortly after his birth, had made her immune to all sense of his privacy. Besides, she was more than confident that he was still asleep.

Unsurprisingly, she had been correct. The heir to the Hitsugaya estate was curled up in a ball, his white hair splayed all over the pillow, and a tiny streak of drool hanging from his mouth. Matsumoto smothered a laugh. If anyone else saw him like this, he would bite their head off. He looked so cute when he was sleeping, so unlike the cold, reserved, haughty brat he was during the day. She sighed. She hated waking him up when he looked so peaceful, but he had a full day ahead of him.

"Toushiro-sama," she said gently, wanting to ease him out of sleep. Waking him up in the morning was not her favorite part of the day, but over the years she had developed a system that worked rather well. He groaned but didn't move. As expected.

"Toushiro-sama," she said again, a little louder this time. He stirred, flipped over, and curled back up.

"Toushiro-sama," Matsumoto repeated for the third time, this time adding a hint of sternness to her voice. "You have a lot to do today and it won't do to have you sleep through all of it." Finally, Hitsugaya opened his emerald eyes and glared at Matsumoto with a look that would have had most people shaking in their boots. But Matsumoto was completely unaffected by such looks. She held out a cup of steaming hot tea. Reluctantly, Hitsugaya sat up, stretched, wiped the sleep out of his eyes, and took the tea. Matsumoto waited until he had drunk several sips before continuing. Tea always helped calm his morning grumpiness.

"First," she began, "you have a sword-fighting lesson with Zaraki sensei, then business with Kuchiki sensei. After lunch you have science with Kurotshuchi sensei, then flying practice with Yoruichi-san. After your lessons, Jyuushiro-sama wants to speak with you." Hitsugaya groaned.

"What, otousan has to wait until I'm worn out from all those classes to talk to me?" he growled. "He can't just do it now?" Matsumoto smiled sweetly.

"Toushiro-sama, you know perfectly well that I am the only one in this house who is brave enough to deal with you in the morning." Hitsugaya shot her another death stare.

"My point exactly!" she said with a laugh. "Now, let's pick you out something to wear." Heading over to the cavernous closet, she selected two outfits, one for sword- fighting, and another to change into afterwards. She laid them out the bed, smoothing them gently to remove the wrinkles.

"Thanks Matsumoto," he said grudgingly. "Now get out so I can change." Matsumoto pouted.

"Aw, Toushiro-sama, you don't have to be embarrassed around me!" she teased. "After all, I changed your diapers, I know exactly what…"

"Matsumoto!" he said threateningly, and Matsumoto laughed.

"Sorry, Toushiro-sama," she apologized with a grin. "I should know better than to tease you in the morning."

"You should know better than to tease me ever," he growled. "Now get out!"

"I'll have your bath drawn so that it's ready for you when you are done training," she said. "Breakfast will be waiting for you also." With that, she bowed herself out of the room so that he could dress.

Hitsugaya sighed. He really didn't want to get out of bed, but he knew that being late for Zaraki sensei always resulted in horrific pain. Damn his father for scheduling that first thing in the morning. It was like he did it on purpose to get him out of bed…oh wait, that was exactly why he did that. Very reluctantly, Hitsugaya extracted himself from his sheets, put on the clothes Matsumoto had selected, and headed down to the dojo.

He arrived before Zaraki sensei, but that suited him just fine. He would rather do his morning warm-up without the bloodthirsty tyrant looking over his shoulder. He began his routine: 2 mile run, 100 push-ups, 300 sit-ups, and 500 squats. Unfortunately, he was only on his 149th squat when the imposing figure of Zaraki Kenpachi entered the dojo.

"Pathetic," he boomed. Hitsugaya tried to ignore him, but one could no easier ignore the presence of Zaraki Kenpachi than forget one's own name. His entire being seemed to fill the room.

"It's my normal warm-up, Zaraki sensei," Hitsugaya replied coolly, not pausing in his routine. "You yourself laid it out for me." Zaraki smirked.

"Yes, but look at you, you're not even breaking a sweat!" Zaraki went to the corner, picked up two 20 pound weights, and handed them to Hitsugaya.

"From now on," Zaraki explained, "you are to do your warm-ups with extra weight." Hitsugaya stifled a groan. But it was true that he wasn't even remotely tired. Finishing his squats, he grabbed his sword and went to face his sensei.

"Ready?" Zaraki asked, a malevolent gleam in his eye. Hitsugaya nodded and before he had even drawn his sword, Zaraki attacked. In the blink of an eye, Hitsugaya unsheathed his sword, deflected the attack, and spun under Zaraki's arm to initiate his own attack.

Zaraki Kenpachi had a rather skewed view of how to train someone. He believed that throwing a person right into the heat of battle was the best way to bring out their potential. This had led to quite a few cuts and bruises on Hitsugaya's part when he first started training seven years ago, but, as much as he hated to admit it, Zaraki's method worked. Hitsugaya's sword was an extension of his right arm. He was fast and lithe, an excellent strategist, and unbelievably strong for his small frame. The "training sessions" with Zaraki sensei had become no more to him than a chance to practice his skills. There was very little left for the world champion to teach him.

The sparring match ended, and Hitsugaya, finally sweating, sheathed his sword. He bowed politely to Zaraki.

"Thank you sensei," he said formally. Zaraki chuckled.

"Yeah, whatever squirt. See you tomorrow." And with that, he swept out of the room, causing a maid outside to shriek with fright at his sudden appearance. Hitsugaya scowled. Zaraki was the only person who could get away with calling him something like "squirt." No one else would ever dare. He would never even have let Zaraki if he hadn't known that the man could tear him limb from limb if he wanted to. Still glowering, he headed back to his room for breakfast and a bath, both of which he knew would have been provided by Matsumoto.

ooooooooooooooooooooo

Hitsugaya soaked in the warm bath, the scaling water relaxing his body after the stress of the sparring match. Not that he was so tired physically, but it took a lot of mental energy to keep from being decapitated by Zaraki, and Hitsugaya needed all his brain power to survive the rest of his day. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he went to his room to eat breakfast. Unfortunately, someone was already in there.

"That's my watermelon Hinamori," Hitsugaya said in an annoyed voice, leaning on the doorframe between the bathroom and bedroom. The girl in his room jumped.

"Hitsugaya-kun!" she said startled, hastily swallowing her mouthful of watermelon and wiping the juice off her chin. "I thought you were in the bath!"

"I was," he drawled. "Now I'm out and would like to eat. But it looks like you're doing that for me." Hinamori giggled, completely unembarrassed by the fact that Hitsugaya was standing there in nothing but a towel. Hinamori Momo was Hitsugaya's father's ward. Her parents had been close family friends of the Hitsugayas, and they had taken her in ten years ago after her parents died tragically in a fire. The two had been raised as siblings, but for some reason, Jyuushiro still insisted that they address each other formally, using last names only. But that didn't stop the two from developing a very close friendship. They were the only children in the mansion, and as both of them were home schooled, neither had had much contact with people their own age. Sure, they fought as siblings do, but at the end of the day they had a great respect for each other.

Hitsugaya sat on his bed and snatched a piece of watermelon off the tray provided.

"What are you doing here anyway?" he asked as he chewed. "Don't you have class?"

"I do," Hinamori replied. "But it's not until later, so I thought you might want some company for breakfast." She looked down at her half eaten piece of watermelon and shifted nervously.

"I prefer eating alone, you know that," he said, taking another slice as he considered her. That was definitely true. He felt awkward when he ate. The only people he allowed to watch him eat were Hinamori, Matsumoto, and his father. He even shooed away the servants, preferring to serve himself rather than have them watch him. If Hinamori came up with an excuse like that, he knew something was wrong.

"Is there something you wanted to talk about?" he asked gently.

"Well," she said awkwardly, blushing slightly. "I know you're probably not the best person to be asking about this, but what do you think of Aizen-san?" Hitsugaya looked at her. If he was one to smile, he would have, but Hitsugaya Toushiro didn't smile for anyone.

Aizen Souske was a new intern in Hitsugaya's father's company. He was young, but had tremendous potential. Tall and handsome, with wavy brown locks and a genial smile, he charmed everyone who met him. Hitsugaya could clearly understand why Hinamori had a crush on him.

"What makes you think I want to hear about your love life?" he teased, causing Hinamori to blush furiously.

"Hitsugaya-kun!" she gasped. "Who said anything about my love life?!"

"You did," Hitsugaya replied casually, taking a third piece. "Just now. When you blushed." He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, and the deepening of the flush in her cheeks confirmed it.

"Isn't he too old for you?" he asked. "I mean, he's twenty…"

"I'm fifteen!" Hinamori retorted. "That's only five years, there's nothing wrong with that!" Hitsugaya sighed.

"Yes, but you're still a child to him. I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I can take care of myself, Hitsugaya-kun!" she responded angrily. "I'm older than you are!" Hitsugaya shrugged.

"You came to me for advice, so I gave it to you," he said nonchalantly. "Now, I have to go to class. And so do you." Hinamori pouted.

"Moe, all you think about is class," she whined. "Why don't we have fun anymore, like we used to?"

"I'm not three years old anymore," he replied bitterly. "And I think about class because I have a lot of responsibility. I'm going to take over the company someday, and I have to be ready." Hinamori frowned.

"You're growing up too fast, Shiro-chan!" she insisted, and Hitsugaya checked. She had called him Shiro-chan as a child, back when her parents were alive, before they were forced by Hitsugaya's father to address each other more formally. She rarely called him that anymore; only when she was feeling particularly strongly towards him, and when they were alone.

"That's Hitsugaya-sama!" he demanded, knowing that she would never call him that and not really caring. "And now you need to get out so I can put some clothing on. I don't know what's with the women in the house today, but for some reason, they all want to watch me change." Hinamori giggled, then left for her lesson, thinking dreamily about the intern.

No, this is not a HitsuHina story, so don't be scared. She is just his adopted sister, so they have a sibling's love for each other. Nothing more. Karin will be introduced in a bit, but the next chapter will be devoted to building this world a little more before I start with the relationship bit. So hold on tight!