The Boy who was to be Captain...

Chapter 1

Captain Hitsugaya ran through the Seireitei with the dust at his heels. He hated it when people treated him like a child, and no doubt he wasn't going to make things better for himself by being late to a Captains Meeting. He finally reached the large white staircase, and with every step, he couldn't help but curse Matsumoto for her carelessness.

Why me? Toushiro thought as he reach the top of the staircase and made a twenty leap onto the nest shortcut. The old man is going to bite my head off for this!

Captain Hitsugaya reached the door to the council room. He was ten minutes late and pissed off. This was definetly going to be remembered by the other captains. He slowly opened the sliding doors, expecting the worse from the others. He knew one thing though, if he was going to be chewed out, he would be sure to do the same to Rangiku later. Still, he had better things to worry about, like the excuse he was going to use to get out of this...tedious situation.

The captains were in their usual standing formation, all standing firm and straight, with the exception of the Division 8 Captain, Shunsui Kyoraku. He was always more relaxed and sometimes tended to slouch. Everyone had their eyes on him, even Byakuya Kuchiki, who tended to have his eyes closed. The room was quite cold for some reason, not that Toushiro had a problem with it.

However the site that caught the white-haired captain's attention the most was seeing Yoruichi Shihouin standing next to the Captain-Commander, or old man Yamamoto as Hitsugaya secretly called him. Yoruichi was smirking, or even smiling at Toushiro, amused at his lateness. Yet he could tell that wasn't all that she intrigued her.

"Captain Hitsugaya!" Yamamoto boomed, causing Toushiro to lower his head. "Since when do you find it appropriate to be tardy to a meeting of your own rank?"

Toushiro lowered his head even more in defeat and embarrassment. He had nothing to say-what could he say? If he tried to explain his lateness the way it happened, it would make him look unprofessional.

"My apologies to you Captain-Commander, and my fellow captains," Toushiro said while looking at the floor, "...for making you wait. It won't happen again."

"I would hope not," Yamamoto said as Toushiro filled the gap between between Soifon and Ukitake. "Now, as you all know, our war with Aizen will be coming shortly, and we are struggling to gather more military force due to the fact that three of our captains have become renagades."

Hitsugaya knew this was true. He was their when that bastard Aizen turned on Soul Society and nearly killed Hinamori and himself. At the rate things were going, Soul Society would have to do a lot of work before the war in order to ensure that they would have a solid victory. He was even beginning to think that even Ichigo Kurasaki and his friends wouldn't be enough. What they needed were Captains who could fill in the three gaps and lead their divisions sucessfully. Still, the thought of the Gotei 13 finding three Captains in such a short amount of time was quickly expelled.

"Knowing this," Yamamoto continued, his fury eyebrows rising and revealing his baggy eyes. "We have chosen a captain to lead the 5th Division!"

Toushiro's neck cracked from the speed at which he raised it. A few of the other captains were surprised as well. If Captain-Commander Yamamoto was able to find some one to lead the 5th Division so quickly, then there was no doubt that they were powerful.

"This Shinigami has shown Captain-Commander Yamamoto his final release," Yoruichi said with a smirk. "...and has also been recommended to become a captain by six Captains of the Gotei 13. They are Captain Soifon, Captain Unohana, Captian Zaraki, Captain Kurotsuchi, Captian Ukitake, and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki."

Htsugaya couldn't believe what he had just heard. It was surprising enough that Soifon and Kenpachi Zaraki recommended this shinigami, but even Captain Kuckiki and Kurotsuchi. Toushiro had to admit that he was a bit exited to see who this person was, but he didn't show it ofcourse.

"This shinigami has served in the Special Forces and shown considerable talent and skill. I have also been training him along side Yoruichi Shihouin," Soifon said with a serious expression. "I believe he would make a suitible captain."

"This shinigami has aided the wounded in he 4th Division with my best medical specialists," Unohana added with a warm smile. "He shows skills in the healing arts that rival my vice-captain's."

"I've seen this guys combat style," Zaraki said. "...and he's among the most fierce and powerful fighters I've met."

"This shinigami has been a part of numerous missions that helped not only Soul Society, but the human world as well," Ukitake said. "This position would be perfect for him."

With every recommendation, Toushiro became more interested. It seemed that the Captains had a lot of respect for this individual.

"This boy's genius in the technology department has proved most fruitful for me and my experiments," Kurotsuchi chuckled. "He has worked with me and Nemu independently for a few times."

"With the addition of all the other recommendations," Byakuya said with closed eyes. "This shinigami has served in my Division and has shown his upmost respect for Soul Society and my orders...his recomendation is necessary."

Captian-Commander Yamamoto looked pleased with all the recommendations and slammed the end of his cane into the ground. The force of the action caused the entrance door to slide open, revealing a figure who stood between the frame.

"You may now enter...Kuraime Shihouin!" Yamamoto announced.

The figure stepped into the light to show his face. He looked 17 years of age and was slightly taller than Toushiro, but ofcourse, he must have been 50 times older 17. He had the same complextion as Yoruichi, but his skin was more like copper, and it blazed in the candle light. His white hair, which fell around his neck, had streaks of silver running down it, making it shined like a moon surrounded by glistening stars. The features of his face were soft and delicate, yet had a sharp edge. But what really caught Hitsugaya's attention were the boys sparkling violet eyes, which had almond shaped pupils, like a cat's.

His uniform was a bit...unique, to say the least. He wore the Special Forces uniform, which resembled a black, ninja outfit, except his face and head were visible. The upper half of his uniform was turned into a black vest that showed his lean arms. He wore his white, Captain's haori around his waist, making it looks like a white cape was attached to his lower back. His zanpaktou, which appeared to be a wakizashi blade, clung close to his hip. The new Captain of Division 5 slowly made his way down the aisle, passing each Captain.

Toushiro didn't know why, but time suddenly stopped in his mind, and his eyes connected with Kuraime's as he passed. The strangest part was that Toushiro saw some sort of surprise, or realization, in the new Captain's eyes as he looked at him, like a child that had just found a lost toy. The stare made the Hitsugaya's cheeks flush, he had no choice but to look away in order to get rid of the embarrasment, but the moment he did so, time returned to it's normal pacem and Kuraime stood in front of Yamamoto and Yoruichi in a bowing position.

"Good evening, General Yamamoto and big sister Yoruichi," Kuraime said. Toushire wanted to hit the floor in that instant. He had never heard of Yoruichi Shihouin having any siblings; it seemed that he was starting to find out a lot more things about certain people ever since the Aizen "problem" developed. "I am truly honored to be recieving this position."

Yoruichi smiled and patted her little brother's head, a motion Soifon had known too well.

"Always as formal as ever," Yoruichi sighed, looking at Soifon, who automatically smiled under her gaze. "You remind me of a buzzing bee I took under my wing long ago."

At that moment, Kuraime turned towards all the other Captains and straightened up. Just as he did so, he took another glance at Toushiro.

Why does he keep staring at me? The little Captain wondered. I hope know one has noticed.

"Captains of the Gotei 13," Kuraime said aloud. "I, Kuraime Shihouin, and heir to the Noble Family Shihouin, vow to protect my Soul Society and my Division with my life. I will become sharper, faster, and stronger with every battle; I will put my life on the line for the people and their dreams; I will be Soul Society's sword...and it's shield."

To Toushiro surprise, the new captain walked over to him, grabbed both his hands, and gave a slight bow. Toushiro couldn't help it,,,his cheeks turned as red as a cherry, and everyone could notice.

"Thank for allowing me to stay by your side for a couple of days," Kuraime said ever so politely. "...It really means a lot to me."

"W-What?" Toushiro asked, completely confused at what just occured.

"I told Kuraime...ahem, Captain Shihouin, that you would allow him to stay obsreve your division, allowing him to have a better understanding of the Gotei 13," Yamamoto said. " you both are around the same age, so I thought it would be better this way,"

Captain Hitsugaya scowled. He wasn't an idiot; he knew Kuraime must have been around the Gotei 13 enough for him to be recommended by six Captains. The old man was just doing this as punishment for his lateness. He could've sworn he saw Yamamoto smirk for a split second after seeing Toushiro's reaction.

"I hpoe this won't be a problem," Yamamoto said gravely as his fury eyebrows knitted together. " ...Kuraime Shihouin will stay with Toushiro Hitsugaya for one week before going to his own division. Captain Hitsugaya, I'm sure you wouldn't mind taking on Division Five's paper work for that week."

Toushiro wanted to lash out at the man, but resisted the urge to do so, after all, he had more self control then that. "It won't be a problem."

Toushiro gave Kuraime a final glance, and the other boy returned it with a warm smile.

This will be an interesting week. Toushiro thought as the Captains walked off, leaving him with Kuraime.