Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, because if I did Toshiro would be the main character.

Author's Note: Okay so, this is my first fan fiction in a LONG time, so I would like to cover a couple things first. I'll try not to blab for too long. First: There is a filler-chapter of Bleach, about Toshiro, that this chapter makes reference to a lot. So if you haven't read it, I'll put a link to it on my profile. Because you'll be rather confused if you haven't read it. Second: There isn't much action in this chapter, but trust me when I say that it picks up next chapter, so bear with me. Third: I am very bad about updating and even finishing stories. So I am now pledging that I will finish this story. If I ever don't update for a long period of time, just leave a review giving me a good kick in the ass, because that's normally all it takes for me to start writing again. I believe that is all I wanted to say, so… ON WITH THE STORY (: enjoy.

Trump Card

Chapter One

Hitsugaya Toshiro sighed for what seemed the hundredth time that hour. To say that he felt guilty was the understatement of the century. He always felt rather contrite when he missed his Obaa-san's birthday. He hadn't seen her since he entered the shinigami academy, except for those few times when Momo would drag him along on holidays. But Momo wasn't here to do that this year. Aizen had- … no it was best not to think about that right now.

He always tried to justify his actions by fooling himself into thinking that he was too busy to go visit the woman that raised him; in truth he was too terrified to visit. Because every time he thought about her, the night when he nearly froze her to death would flash through his mind. But his heart always yearned to see the one person that had never judged him. Maybe just this once he could…

'No, its better this way… this way no one gets hurt.' That was what he always told himself. He had, had his Reiatsu under control since his second day at the academy; they didn't call him a genius for nothing. So this fear of killing the woman who raised him was simply irrational. He knew this well, for Matsumoto had told him many many times. Deep down inside though, he knew that the fear of hurting his Obaa-san wasn't the only thing keeping him from visiting her.

"You feel guilty, young one." The voice inside his mind spoke the truth.

'Yes, I suppose I do feel rather guilty…' He thought, resting his cheek on his palm and glancing out the window.

"Perhaps you should… make amends?"

'I wouldn't know how…'

"Or you just won't try." He grimaced. Damn that wise dragon for completely seeing through his words. He shook his head, it would do no good to think about these things right now; he had other things to attend to.

After another sigh he looked back down at what he was doing. Paperwork. Oh, how he hated paperwork. Whoever said that he enjoyed wasting his time on such a dull matter was extremely mistaken. However, what he hated more than doing his own paperwork was doing his Lazy Lieutenant's paperwork. It was often crumpled from being hid in various unspeakable places and had questionable stains on the sides. It had to be done though, and since his Lieutenant had put her disappearing act into action once again, he was the only one left to do it.

"Captain!" A loud boisterous voice filled the office, making Toshiro wince.

'Speak of the devil…'

"Oh Capt- … Oh! There you are, Captain! I've been looking all over for you!" The overly endowed woman slid the door open with a bang, completely disturbing the calm atmosphere that had been there only moments before.

A twitch.

"What do you want, Matsumoto?" Came the annoyed voice.

"I've been looking for you all over Seireitei! I have something to ask you!" Matsumoto's eyes glowed with a mischievous sparkle that always meant she was up to no good. Toshiro had learned not to read into these looks too much, because Matsumoto always seemed to be up to no good.

"Of course you made sure to check the office last…" Toshiro muttered, as he looked back down at what he was working on.

"Awww, Captain don't be so cold…" Matsumoto pouted before going back to her usual overdramatic self. "You don't know the kind of day I've been having! First I-"

"You had a question for me, Matsumoto?" He asked, interrupting her with another twitch of his eyebrow.

"Huh? Oh, yeah! Will you go shopping with me, Captain?"

Another twitch.

"No Matsumoto, I do not approve of you spending the division's money on clothes, and I'm certainly not going to accompany you while you do it." The bright smiling woman wasn't fazed at all.

"But that's why you should come with me, Captain; to make sure that I don't spend all of the division's money."

"You shouldn't be tempted to spend it anyways. I'm not going shopping with you and that's final. I have work to do, and most of it is your work." At this, he gave her a pointed look.

Matsumoto frowned for a split second and then brightened up again.

"Alright Captain, I didn't want to do this but now you're forcing me…" Within seconds of that statement, Toshiro disappeared out of his chair only to be held a few feet above ground.

"Huh… W-what… MATSUMOTO! Put me down this instant!" He struggled in her grasp as she threw him over her shoulder and started trotting out of the office. When did this damn woman become so strong?

"Sorry, no-can-do Captain. You're the one who wouldn't come willingly."

"Matsumoto…" He growled as his eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

"Trust me Captain; this is for your own good!"

Yes, he had learned not to read into the mischievous looks; but when she said cryptic things like that then he has something to truly worry about.

They had been walking for about fifteen minutes- well Matsumoto had been walking; Toshiro was still being held against his will- when they came to the gate that separated Seireitei from the rest of Soul Society. Toshiro had stopped struggling a while ago, accepting his fate, but this was rather confusing.

'What are we going into Rukon District for if we're only going shopping?'

"Matsumoto, where are you taking me?" The question expressed more curiosity than annoyance.

"Be patient Captain, you'll see when we get there!" Her face lit up with a bright smile.

"…You do know that kidnapping a Captain is treasonous, right?" He asked, glaring at the ground from his position on her shoulder.

Matsumoto just giggled as they walked through the gate.

After walking a few more miles, the scenery began to look vaguely familiar. Toshiro's eyes widened, finally realizing Matsumoto's plan.

"Put me down." He muttered.

"Not until we get there Captain! I told you this al-" Her cheery voice was cut off as he began to struggle again.

"Matsumoto! Put me down. Right. Now." He heard a sigh; then he was lifted off her shoulder and placed gently on his feet. He turned on his heel, and had only taken three steps in the opposite direction when she grabbed his wrist and turned him around to face her. She bent down to his height; similar to the way she did on the first night he met her.

"You know, for a genius, you can be really stupid sometimes…" She said softly. He looked at her with a confused expression.

"What do you mean?"

"You really think that your Obaa-san would be angry with you, over something that you couldn't control at the time? You should know that she will always love you, no matter what." He looked at the ground and frowned. He hated this side of Matsumoto; he couldn't hide anything from her.

He glanced nervously at the house that was only a few meters away from them. That house was the setting in some of the best memories he'd ever had. Letting out a deep breath, he started towards it.

Aizen sat in the throne room, with a rather arrogant attitude, as he watched the reactions of everyone around him. He was genuinely pleased with his plan, but to his disappointment, no one else seemed very enthusiastic about it. Even Gin, had a slight frown on his face.

"Is there a problem?" Aizen asked, resting the side of his face in his palm. If one didn't know better, they would say that he looked rather bored with the whole situation.

"Fuck yeah there is a problem! You're sending us on a fucking suicide mission and won't even tell us why!" Grimmjow's angry voice echoed through the room, his usual glare firmly in place. "Tell him Ulquiorra! This is fucking crazy!"

Ulquiorra, who normally did everything without question, was looking rather lost.

"I have to admit… I don't entirely understand your reasoning Aizen-sama." Aizen had to smirk at that; Ulquiorra was always the polite one.

"Let's just say that he's our… trump card." Aizen said his smirk widening. "Staying alive seems like a good incentive for you to not go fighting any person you come across though, don't you think Grimmjow?"

Grimmjow growled at the condescending remark and opened his mouth to reply. He didn't get the chance however, for Aizen was done playing games.

"I don't see what all the fuss is about. You're mission is rather simple: Bring me Hitsugaya Toshiro."

Hello again,

Yeah it's me again. How did I do? Was everyone in character? If not, tell me who… and why you think I got them out of character. Because I really don't want them to seem OC…

Now for the wonderful ritual of bribing you to review… Now what could I give you…? How about… a gigantic virtual cookie and a big virtual bear hug. (: And another chapter of course.

Well, tell me what you thought (: Thanks!

-Sara