A/N: This chapter and the next are giving me Aizen-level FITS! They just DO NOT want to be written! *baka!* It's not as well written as I would have liked, but what's done is done...

AN #2: edited on September 10, 2011. Corrected the areas covered by Avalon.

Chapter 1

(unknown number of days previous)

Toshiro Hitsugaya stood before the Senkeimon gate―the pass between Seireitei and the World of the Living―and made a final check of his uniform and supplies. Bathed in the first light of day, his appearance was, as always, immaculate―crisply pressed, complete with creases in the correct places, without even a hint of dust on either his sandals or the hem of his white captain's haori. Silver, spiked hair with one forward-facing lock over his left eyebrow gave him a deceptively wild appearance. He'd done his best to tame the wildness of both his hair and his spirit but, as always, had to settle for what he could get.

"Oh, please let me come with you," his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, pleaded as she clasped her hands in front of her amble breasts, her tall, busty appearance a sharp contrast to her younger, deceptively young Captain. Ginger-red hair bounced on her shoulders as she rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet. "Just think of all the shopping I can do!"

The words were pure Rangiku Matsumoto. They rang true, as far as content. Yet something in her voice...

"Rangiku, is something wrong?"

The Squad 10 lieutenant attempted to appear positive and untroubled, but something lurked in her normally sparkly blue eyes.

"Captain, what could possibly be wrong?"

"Whatever it is, spit it out, Matsumoto. I have to leave for my mission in less than one minute."

The ginger-haired woman with the fukutaicho's badge strapped to her left arm wrung her hands a moment before saying, "Captain, I ... I ... promise me you'll be careful?"

Toshiro blinked in surprise. Where did THAT come from? "When am I ever not careful?"

She raised a single sculpted eyebrow. "Every time you touch Hyorinmaru's hilt."

The Captain of Squad 10 harrumphed, buried his arms in his sleeves, and turned away but offered no objection. How could he-her words were true. A non-verbal rumble of amusement in the back of his mind offered the youngest captain in Gotei 13 a fair idea of Hyorinmaru's opinion.

Still, if Rangiku Matsumoto felt the need to offer a warning, perhaps he should question further. After all, he was traveling halfway around the world, to a land he'd never seen. The culture and customs would be unfamiliar and perhaps dangerous for anyone ignorant of their hidden meanings. At least language would not be a barrier; Shinigami could speak all languages, a necessity when dealing with the souls of the dead.

"Is there a particular reason why you feel the need to caution me?"

Matsumoto paused a long moment before she sighed and shook her head. "N...No, Captain. Not...not really."

Hitsugaya sighed and looked away. "Rangiku..."

"Truly, Captain, I can't say why I feel worried. It's just...Oh, nevermind me. I'm just being silly. You know how I hate being away from your side."

"You hate having to do the paperwork while I visit England."

Rangiku tilted her head to the side and grinned sheepishly, a hint of color flooding her cheeks. "That, too."

"This mission is vital to Seireitei security, Matsumoto, otherwise the Head-Captain would not have ordered me to go."

()()()()

(The evening before)

"Sir, Toshiro Hitsugaya reporting as ordered."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Sasakibe. I will meet with him alone."

The silver-haired, distinguished, soft-spoken lieutenant of Squad 1 bowed and backed out of the room. "Yes, Head Captain."

Head-Captain Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryusai did not turn around to see either the man who remained in the room or the one who left. The oldest and strongest of the Shinigami-the Soul Reapers-faced forward to view the vastness of Seireitei from the peaceful shelter of his office veranda. Leaning on the rounded end of his staff-like zanpakuto, the one whom his subordinates respectfully referred to as "old man Yama" (but never, ever to his face) remained silent for so long, his visitor had to fight the urge to fidget.

The Head Captain turned his head just far enough to the left to catch his visitor in the corner of his eye.

Hitsugaya nodded a greeting and added the slight bow that was due to someone slightly superior in rank. Respect given, the youngest Soul Reaper captain in the Gotei 13, the Thirteen Court Guard Squads of the Japanese Soul Society, stood at respectful attention, spine straight and hands folded inside his sleeves.

"You sent for me, Head Captain?"

"I did. While we wait for Sosuke Aizen's next move, we must do all that we can to raise our skills to peak condition. Of equal value will be allies."

Puzzled, Toshiro respectfully asked, "Allies?"

"Yes, allies. The Gotei 13 may at times seem like a unique entity, but we are in fact one of seven such heavenly agencies on this planet. Our purview consists of Japan, China, Mongolia, and the other Asian nations, as well as eastern Russia. These other agencies function much as we do, as guides for wandering spirits and warriors against spiritual threats, with the sole purpose of maintaining the balance of life. I have recently made overtures to these other Soul Reaper bases, seeking assistance with the Arrancar and Aizen issues. Avalon is the first to respond."

"Avalon..." Hitsugaya's gaze turned inward as he struggled to remember lessons from his long-distant time in the Soul Reaper Academy. "That is Europe, parts of the Mediterranean, and western Russia?"

"Correct. Their headquarters is located in England. London, to be exact. You will leave tomorrow morning for Avalon. There you will exchange information and, if possible, negotiate an alliance with their Shinigami, or as they call them 'Grim Reapers.' We will need all available aid when the final battle begins. If we can add even one factor that Aizen has not anticipated, it can hopefully increase our chance of victory."

"With respect, Head Captain. Why me? There are others with far more seniority and experience. Even Ichigo Kurosaki-"

"True enough," Yamamoto nodded, "but it requires someone of Captain's rank to negotiate with another branch of Soul Society. While it is true, Ichigo Kurosaki possesses Captain-level reiatsu, he is only a Substitute Soul Reaper and as such does not have the authority to treat on our behalf. As for the remaining Captains of Gotei 13, those who are not already engaged in vital activities do not have your experience in the World of the Living. Besides." Yamamoto offered a rare hint of a smile, complete with a faint crinkling of the crows' feet around his hooded eyes. "Can you imagine the havoc Captain Kenpachi would make of such an assignment?"

()()()()

A golden glow surrounded the Senkeimon gate and brought Toshiro out of his thoughts. As the giant doors creaked open to reveal the smoky passage between worlds, Hitsugaya settled his bag more firmly on his shoulder, adjusted Hyorinmaru to sit more comfortably across his back, and stepped forward.

"Look after the squad for me, Matsumoto," he called over his shoulder. "I'll see you when I complete my mission."

Toshiro looked back as the gate closed behind him. In the instant before his lieutenant disappeared, her expression lost all hint of carefree merriment. A shadow, murky and ominous, pregnant with dark premonition, dimmed her eyes and stole all vibrancy from her body.

A single hand held out in entreaty, she called after him one last time, but the Senkeimon doors closed before he caught a single word.