(A/N: I'm sorry this took so long and its boring. The last chapter was short, more of a prologue type thing I stuff is made up since I'm not really sure how Seiretei is set out specifically. Anyway, hope you like this. )

Disclaimer: Bleach is Tite Kubo's. Not mine, sadly.

Captain Hitsugaya had looked shocked, but he quickly changed his expression back to his usual scowl before anyone noticed. Many pairs of expectant eyes were on him, waiting for him to respond in some way... but he didn't say a word. He knew that the old mans decision would be final, no matter what he said.

'Great . . . I'll be stuck with that idiot constantly . . . Does this mean I have to share my quarters with him? Feed him? And do both mine and Rangiku's work too. Damn it.' The youngest captain spaced out and deepened his scowl as he thought. He wasn't looking forward to this.

It was Captain Kyoraku who spoke up, "Head Captain, if you don't mind my asking, why the 10th? And what's with Captain Hitsugaya having to play babysitter?"

"I feel that the environment of the 10th will be good for him. It is well known through Seireite that the 10th is a squad well suited to those who want to improve their abilities. Also, Captain Hitsugaya happens to be one of the captains that Ichigo did not fight during the Ryoka invasion and so has more to learn from him.

"My decision that he must be in Hitsugaya's company at all times is simple. The Substitutes presence, due to the Ryoka incident, may cause some unease for the soldiers. Knowing there is a Captain Class shinigami watching him at all times will put their minds at rest." It was clear that he was ending the discussion there. "This meeting is now over! You are all dismissed."

The Captains began to file out and continue with their duties (or just go to their quarters and sleep or drink in some cases).

As Toshiro was heading out of the door, Ichigo ran up to him. He didn't respond in any way so the carrot top decided to just follow behind silently.

He didn't know what to expect from the young looking captain. Until now they hadn't really had any interaction. He could only go on what he has heard from others: he's quiet, serious most of the time, doesn't interact with others very well . . . He hadn't heard much but what he had wasn't making him feel any better about the situation.

He did feel relieved to some extent though. At least he wasn't with Mayuri or Unohana. He was sure he wouldn't get away from Mayuri in one piece and Unohana is actually terrifying, despite appearances.

They continued walking for a while before the exited the squad 1 barracks. Ichigo felt very out of place and he also felt peoples stares on his back.

The many Shinigami they passed looked at the white haired captain with respect and some even bowed or lowered their heads as he passed.

However, when they saw Hitsuygaya's companion, some looked confused, curious and some even looked fearful. Some just didn't seem to care.

Ichigo decided to break the heavy silence that had formed, "Why are they all... staring at us?" His question went unanswered. After a few minutes he decided to try again.

"You know, if we're going to be stuck together for a while you're going to have to speak to me at some point."

The short captain suddenly stopped. "Okay. What do you want to talk about?" He said flatly.

"Well . . . When can I start training?"

"I have lot's of work to do. You are far from my top priority. I'm sure my lieutenant will enjoy your company, however." It wasn't the reply Ichigo wanted. He was sure he was going to get bored very quickly.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, Ichigo decided to speak up. "So... Toshiro, where are we going?" He questioned.

After a pause, the young captain replied. "To my division... Matsumoto needs to be informed on this... situation."

Toshiro internally groaned. This was going to be worse than he initially thought. The teen seemed to feel the need to talk but he didn't know what to say which was just making it even more awkward than the previous silence.

"But-.." he was cut off by a glare from Hitsugaya. "Ahh.. never mind." He scratched the back of his neck nervously.

They walked in silence for a while, passing many more people and buildings until they approached, rather than the usual beige, brown and white buildings of Seiretei, an open, green space. There was about 20 Shinigami wandering around the area, which was about the size of 2 football pitches. Ichigo noticed that they, for the most part, weren't wearing the usual black robes that the Soul Reapers wore. They were dresses in white and blue or white and red.

"Toshiro, who are they?"

"It's Captain Hitsugaya," although he said it in a frustrated voice his face showed that he was used to it and about ready to give up trying. Good. Ichigo wasn't planning to stop any time. "This is part of the Academy where souls go to train to become Shinigami."

"They do that!? Wow." Toshiro ignored him.

Nananana nananana PAGE BREAK!

When they finally got to squat 10's office a tall woman with long, strawberry blonde hair was asleep on the sofa with a sake bottle loosely in her hand. Two empty bottles were on the table beside her. 'This must be Rangiku.' Ichigo thought. His face went red when be noticed her very large... assets, that were barely covered by her robes.

The substitute looked down at the icy captain at his side, who didn't look at all fazed by the scene.

Toshiro spoke without even turning away from the woman. "Don't worry about it. This is normal. She's always slacking off."

When he finished talking he walked into the room. It was a fair size with two desks. One was opposite the door and had two rather large stacks of paper on it as well as a quill and pot of ink. The other desk was on the left side of the door. This one was much messier than the first, it had a few pieces of paper strewn across it. Dark inc stains were permanently on the light coloured wood. A picture frame stood at one of the corners, its back facing the room.

Ichigo walked over to get a closer look at the frame. As he rounded the desk he saw that it was one of those frames with multiple picture spaces. There was spaces to be exact. One picture had a picture of a younger Toshiro and Rangiku with a man that Ichigo recognised but couldn't quite place. Rangiku had her arms wrapped tightly around the boy, who looked to struggling in her hold and glaring, while she smiled brightly, unfazed by his attitude. The older man had his arm over the blondes sholder with a goofy smile. Ichigo noticed he had a captain haori over his shoulder.

The next showed Rangiku with a few other Soul Reapers. Some he recognised (Renji was there, Ikakku and Kyoraku too.) others he didn't know. All of them were sat around a table that was filled with sake bottles and all were clearly intoxicated.

The final picture caught Ichigo's attention the most (although an even shorter Toshiro had amused him greatly). The picture showed two people stood side-by-side. One looked like Rangiku as a child, happily smiling at the camera , the other was taller with silver hair and closed eyes. Gin Ichimaru. The image had been torn and screwed up. It was covered in folds and was crumpled. Someone had tried to tape it back together and straighten it out but the damage was obvious.

He heard someone mumbling behind him and turned to see Matsumoto stirring in her sleep. Toshiro had sat down at the other desk. The captain picked up an empty piece of paper, screwed it up and threw it at the only female in the room. It hit the target dead on her forehead, she sat up quickly, looking around confused.

She looked at Ichigo for a second before she looked at her superior. "Captain~" she wined. "What was that for?" She pouted but it had no effect on Hitsugaya.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He was doing his work again and didn't look up at them as he spoke.

"Ehhh?! Captain~." She huffed and stood up. She walked over to his desk and poked him, trying to get his attention but he ignored her as he signed another document.

She looked over at Ichigo. "Ne, Captain why is there a kid in our office?"

"He can explain, I'm busy." The young captain hadn't looked up through the whole conversation.

Ichigo has been silent as they spoke, watching them with an amusement. He had only just met them but he thought they made a good pair. Not necessarily in a romantic way. But in the past few minutes he could tell they balanced each other. She was energetic an irresponsible and he grounded her. He was serious and she helped him loosen up a little.

He noticed the lieutenant was looking at him expectantly. The substitute scrated the back od his neck nervously as he began to explain, "Well... you see..."

(A/N: I'm going to leave it there for now. Not much happened but if I make chapters too ling I will never get any out. I find the relationship between Rangiku and Shiro-chan quite interesting so I will probably play with that quite a bit.)

Thanks for reading ^^

-Yami