Chapter 2
Hitsugaya makes preparations and is introduced to Dumbledore.
It had been two days after the soutaicho had made his announcements, and things had so far been pretty quiet. Hollows continued to show up with regularity, but were were easily dealt with by the team of high ranking shinigami.
Rangiku went on an immediate shopping spree after realizing that her captain needed extra clothing for his mission, and had spent the better half of a day dragging around the others as glorified manservants. By the end of it, Hitsugaya had been thoroughly mortified after going into the children's sections, but at least he wouldn't have to do so anytime soon.
At least, that's what he hoped.
All that was left on the list of preparations was to wait for Captain Kuchiki to show up and relive him of his duties as the team leader. Then he would be off to Britain with Yoruichi to meet Dumbledore, the headmaster of a Wizarding school named Hogwarts.
Toshiro hoped that the man wouldn't be as strange as the name of his school seemed to imply. Among the spiritually gifted, though, it had become a well accepted fact that everyone was, to some degree, insane. Wizards probably wouldn't be any different, and really, what was he supposed to expect?
There was a slight rumbling in his inner world as Hyorinmaru shifted and blinked at him with a giant, blood red eye. It was always hard to tell what the dragon was thinking, though Toshiro thought he detected a small glimmer of amusement. You should probably pay more attention to what you're doing.
Hitsugaya shrugged. All I'm doing is looking though Yoruichi's old reports. Wizards are pretty strange, but their applications of reiatsu are interesting. Their wands even contain things like dragon heartstrings. It's nothing compared to you, of course, but I wouldn't have thought them capable of bringing down dragons.
Perhaps he was projecting, but Hitsugaya couldn't imagine any wizard, no matter how spiritually gifted, being able to subdue his Zanpakuto. Hyorinmaru was the most powerful among all ice types, aloof and untamable. Imagining him defeated was a hard image to grasp.
The dragon in question chuckled, sending a second temor through Toshiro's inner world. Captain Kuchiki is about to arrive, he said. Save the reading for another time.
Hitsugaya looked up from his reports, wondering what had put his zanpakuto in such a good mood. Just as the dragon had said, however, Captain Kuchiki's presence soon sparked to life in Urahara's store. The time for reports was over. Histuagaya set aside the papers and headed down to meet his colleague.
.x.X.x.
"Captain Hitsugaya."
"Captain Kuchiki." Toshiro made a respectful nod to his fellow captain before gesturing towards the mostly empty room around them. "The others have yet to arrive, but I suggest we go to the living room while we wait."
With a nod of agreement from the nobleman, the two proceeded down the hallway. Hitsugaya took the opportunity to explain the situation as they went. "There have been no unusual Hollow activities, so far, and neither Aizen, nor his colleagues, have made any appearances. Your sister and Matsumoto are currently running patrol, though they should be here as soon as possible."
Hitsugaya turned the corner and walked into the living room, where Abarai and Madarame had started a shouting match about whose Zanpakuto was the best. Ayasegaewa was looking at his reflection in a handheld mirror and was goading them on. "Oh, I don't know. Renji's Shikai does look better.
"Oi! Are you saying that a spear isn't cooler? I've got more style than this punk's entire outfit combined!"
"Hey, don't bring my clothes into this! My zapakutou could beat yours any day!
"Oh, yeah? Wanna bet?"
"De-"
"What is the meaning of this?"
Renji, upon sensing his Captain's presence, quieted immediately. Ikkaku backed off muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "killjoy.
Byakuya's expression was cold enough to rival Hitsugaya's, and the arrival of both captains was enough to keep the other shinigami civil as they settled into their respective seats. A few seconds passed before Matsumoto and Rukia arrived, both coming in though the open window.
Rukia immediately bowed, with a quick "Nii-sama," before she sat down. Something in her brother's eyes seemed to soften, but the moment passed before anyone else could notice. "Kurosaki isn't here," he observed.
Hitsugaya nodded. "He isn't technically a part of the guard, and he's been busy training for the past few days. Contacting him shouldn't be an issue if you need him, but he isn't obligated to come."
"I see, then. We will have to inform him later." Byakuya's gaze swept the room's occupants with quiet purpose. "Captain Kurotsuchi, after reviewing data from several points around the Word of the Living has picked up a myriad of anomalous readings in the area surrounding Karakura town. After consulting the 12th's archives, he has concluded that the spiritual pressure is most similar to that of the exiled captains and lieutenants during the incident almost a century ago. Not Shinigami or Hollow, but a mixture of both."
"What incident?" asked Hitsugaya. "Why haven't I heard of this?"
"You were not a captain then, Hitsugaya taichou, and the information has been heavily classified ever since." Byakuya paused for a moment before explaining. "Over a hundred years ago there was a strange series of events that resulted in the 'hollowfication' of numerous captains and lieutenants. Then-captain Urahara Kisuke and Kido Corps Captain Tsukabishi were exiled as the culprits. Yoruichi Shihoin, then-captain of the 2nd, followed the two into exile shortly after. Considering recent revelations, their names have been cleared. Aizen seems to be the true perpetrator of those events."
How long has he been planning all this? Aizen's plan seemed to extend backwards for a couple centuries—at the very least, long before Hitsugaya had existed. That he had not heard of this incident earlier was worrying—what else was the soutaicho keeping under wraps?
Toshiro considered the information carefully. It seemed that Aizen had been able to make Shinigami more hollow-like in the past, but it was unlikely that the same people were causing Kurotsuchi's readings. Where those captains and lieutenants were hiding was another matter to consider, but that was an issue for another time.
"Kurotsuchi's readings. You said that they were similar, not a perfect match. Is it possible that Aizen could have created a reverse of this 'Hollowfication?" He has the full Hougyoku, now. Maybe that's what was causing the anomalies."
Byakuya nodded with something close to respect. "Indeed, that is what Kurotsuchi speculates. Considering the fact that the captains became far more powerful when hollowfied, we may soon be facing enemies of a similar caliber. All Shinigami should travel in pairs, from now on. Should you encounter trouble, permission has been granted to activate the Gentei Kaijo should the need arise. Captain Histuagaya, this applies to you as well."
Toshiro nodded. Judging by how the others were paying attention, Kuchiki's orders would be followed.
"As you all should already know, I am here to replace Captain Hitsugaya as the leader of the Advance Guard while he is investigating Aizen's appearance in Wizarding Britain. I expect you all you behave in a manner that is befitting of Shinigami of your positions."
Byakuya held the gaze of the others one last time before taking a step back. "Rukia, Renji. I will speak to you later. Madarame and Ayasegaewa—take the next patrol. As for the rest of you, that is all."
Madarame left grumbling under his breath on the way out, Ayasegaewa in tow. Hitsugaya caught his Lieutenant's attention and nodded towards the hallway. Byakuya was here. It was time for him to go.
Matsumoto caught up to him easily, falling into step behind him while chattering about what the new change in leadership would mean.
"I'm going to miss you so much, taicho! Captain Kuchiki is such a stick in the mud—I'm not going to be able to get away with anything while he's here."
"That's probably a good thing," noted Toshiro. "You slack off enough as is."
"Whaaat? Taicho, you wound me! I'd never slack off if you really needed me. Besides, I helped you pack up for your trip."
"Yes, Matsumoto. You did, and thank you for that. But you probably won't be able to get away with your usual antics around Kuchiki."
"I know, I know.." She made a face "'Don't slack off Matsumoto.' I'm still going to miss you though!"
A small smile crept up Toshiro's lips. "Take care of yourself, Matsumoto."
"Take care of myself? Taicho~! What are you going to do when your faithful vice captain can't take care of you?" Rangiku shook her head in exasperation."Don't forget to get enough sleep, and no overworking yourself while you're away. Think of it as a break from paperwork!"
"No guarantees," said Toshiro. "It's Aizen, after all, but.. I'll try."
He'd just stopped in front of the basement door when Rangiku caught him in a tight embrace. She didn't seem to mind the cold rolling off him, and thankfully he wasn't facing her chest. "..Matsumoto, what are you doing?"
"Nothing, nothing." Rangiku stepped away for a moment and returned with his suitcase. "Take care of yourself, Taicho! Bye~!"
Toshiro ended up standing in front of the basement for a few more seconds blinking before reaching for the handle. "Yes. Goodbye, Rangiku."
She grinned and wiped at her eyes. Tears? What did he say?
Toshiro left a little confused, but happier than he'd been in a long time. It felt like the first thing he'd managed to do right in a while.
.x.X.x.
Both Yoruichi and Urahara were waiting for him in the strange alternate dimension that was called the basement. Urahara was wearing his customary grin and waved Toshiro closer. "Have a fun meeting?"
"It was.. interesting," said Toshiro. "You didn't tell me why you two were exiled."
"Yare, yare.. it's all behind us now, Hitsu-chan! Besides, we've been pardoned. No use dwelling on the past."
Yoruichi circled the two with a small pouch in her mouth. She dropped it off next to Toshiro and waited for him to pick it up. "What is this?" he asked.
"Just a few extra things: currency, some memory dust, and an upgraded SoulPhone."
Toshiro tucked the pouch into a hidden pocket of his haori. "Thank you, Yoruichi."
Urahara nodded. "The SoulPhone has a few modifications on it. Mostly the soutaicho's request—you'll be able to make the video connection without all the hassle, next time. Now," he said. "If you excuse me, I need to make some arrangements for your transport."
Hitsugaya was left standing by Yoruichi, who at this point had decided that the top of the suitcase was a comfortable place to sprawl. He checked over Hyorinmaru once more, hidden from sight by Bakudo no. 26, Kyakko. Everything else seemed in order, with Urahara chanting a small distance away.
After a moment, a pair of shoji doors appeared. It looked like a normal Senkaimon, though the light beyond the doors was tinged with a strange shade of red. Yoruichi jumped off the suitcase and onto his shoulder, expertly ducking under the reflexive swat. "Looks like our ride is here," she said. "Bye, Kisuke!"
Urahara stood beside the portal and waved. "Good luck, you two!"
With his suitcase and a cat in tow, Hitsugaya stepped into the light.
A moment later, he stepped out, arriving in some sort of western styled meeting room. Before him was an old man dressed in a purple obscenity and wearing a pointed hat. He had a silvery grey beard that rivaled Yamamoto's in length, and wore a pair of half moon glasses over twinkling blue eyes. Had Rangiku seen him, she would have had a heart attack.
"Hello," said the wizard. "My name is Albus Dumbledore—you must be Hitsugaya."
Toshiro switched to English. "Yes, that is correct. I was told that I would be attending your school?"
I know, saying that I had the second chapter already finished and not putting it up was a bit of a tease. Have Chapter 3 as a part of my condolences.
I hope that this is a believable transition from the Winter War arc to Harry Potter. Don't expect much after the Winter War Arc to be acknowledged, though. The Harry Potter books are currently set in The Order of the Phoenix.
