Bankai

It has been five years since Hitsugaya joined the Shimigami Academy. Though he is still belittled by the other students, there are none who can stand up to neither his genius nor his power. Shiro has made only one friend within the academy, Hyourinmaru. The courtyard that he had once turned to ice has become more than just his place of zen, it is now his training ground. Over the past four years, Hitsugaya has trained relentlessly in order to learn more about Hyourinmaru, and also, himself. Though Shiro trained in his frozen courtyard almost every night, he has not had much conversation with the ice dragon. At times, Toushirou would become demanding, cursing at his soul slayer, demanding that Hyourinmaru respond to his master. All the Dragon would do is chuckle and become temporarily uncontrollable to his so called "master". As the years went on, Shiro gained the patience that he needed in order to converse with his friend. Shiro was smart to think that the Dragon was wise. He never seemed to say more than that was needed to be said.

Whenever Shiro had a question, Hyourinmaru would respond by saying "If you want to know the answer, find it"

At first, this infuriated Shiro, resulting in a number of combinations of swear words and soul slayer. As time went on, he found that the answers he was looking for could usually be found inside of him. As each day went by, he felt his bond with his companion grew stronger; the closer they grew, the less they needed to talk. Five years has past, and he and his friend understood each other so that there was almost no conversation needed… or so he thought.

"SOAR FROM THE FROZEN HEAVENS, HYOURINMARU!"

Seemingly out of nowhere, dark clouds began to form. From the hilt of Shiro's soul slayer came a chain with a crescent blade attached to the end. From the tip of Shiro's soul slayer came the head and neck of Hyourinmaru materialized in water and ice. This became clockwork to Hitsugaya, yet he was always amazed at the shear volume and power of his friend. He swung his soul slayer and then pointed it in the direction he wanted to send the dragon's head. After a year of training, he learned he could control the movement by his sword. After three, he mastered the control. However, something was different this time. Though he pointed his sword up towards the sky, the dragon did not follow suit. On the contrary, the dragon seemed to turn on it wielder, heading straight for Hitsugaya. Astonished, Toushirou tried to dodge but found that his friend was too fast for him. Shiro realized that he was about to be hit by volumes of water and ice…and there was nothing he could do but watch.

Hitsugaya awoke with a startle, yet felt as if he was still dreaming. He looked around. He was again flying through the clouds. Only this time, he did not struggle; he did not hold his breath.

Shiro closed his eyes and took in a breath and then exhaled, "Hyourinmaru…"

Once again, his soul slayer had appeared from underneath him. He was exactly how Shiro had remembered him. The gigantic wings, the crescent shaped blade, yet…

'Something is different' thought Toushirou.

"We have much to discuss, Hitsugaya".

Something was definitely wrong. Hyourinmaru never had much to talk about.

"Toushirou… do you think it strange that I have not spoken to you in little over a year?"

"No".

…

…

…

"You are indeed, a genius" retorted Hyourinmaru.

'Sarcastic basterd…'

The Dragon gave a deep chuckle.

"Have you still not learned that it is unwise to insult me?"

"I have learned much in the past five years"

"And yet, you still do not know…"

Hyourinmaru gave a deep sigh. It finally struck Hitsugaya. It wasn't that anything was different. On the contrary, everything about the dragon was exactly the same. The sadness within Hyourinmaru… was exactly the same.

Shiro felt ashamed at himself. 'After five years, how could I have not known the state in which my friend was in? Have I not grown at all?'

"No Hitsugaya, its not that you haven't grown. It's simply that…we are out of time".

Hyourinmaru's words struck like lightening. "Out of time? What do you mean by out of time?!"

"Patience Toushirou, I am not speaking in relation to what you believe is time. What I speak of is the years to come and the challenges that lie ahead of you"

"How could you possibly know this?" asked Hitsugaya.

"Though I would be considered a soul slayer by you, I am a dragon above all else. As dragons mature, they have the ability to foresee into the future. Though it is impossible to know the future of the entire world, we can however foresee into the souls of individuals".

"And, what do you foresee in my future?" asked Hitsugaya.

"That is the problem Hitsugaya…you don't have one."