I wiped away my tears and stood up, angry. How could he...? After all we've done...he just leaves? Why won't he fight to stay? He's a Soul Reaper! It's his destiny! It's all of our destinies.

"Mamoko!" I turned and saw Rangiku dashing towards me. She skid to a stop and placed her hands on my shoulders, inspecting me.

"H-hey Ran..."

"I heard you scream! Are you alright? Did you find Captain Hitsugaya?" I looked down as soon as she said his name.

"I'm fine." she breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good. Now, lets go and find our mini Captain!"

"He's not our Captain anymore. He's been banned from the Seireitei." Rangiku turned to face me completely, eyes as wide as the moon.

"What did you just say?" she said. She grabbed me roughly by the shoulders. "Please tell me you're joking!" I shook my head.

"I...wish I was..." her grip on me loosened and she backed away.

"B-but that's impossible! I still feel his spiritual pressure...it's close by! He has to be in the Seireitei some-" she paused, and both our eyes grew even wider.

"D-did you feel that?" I questioned. She nodded.

"Captain...Hitsugaya...his spiritual pressure..."

"It disappeared completely."

*Toshiro's POV*

Images of Mamoko flashed through my eyes. She was so heartbroken...I wish...I wish I could tell her what was going on, but it would break her heart even more. She would try and come with me, sacrifice herself...I reached the Senkaimon, and the two guards approached me.

"We were expecting you, Captain Hitsugaya." one said. I nodded.

"I'm aware of that. Now, open the Senkaimon." they nodded.

"Yes sir!" they opened the gate and I stepped through. I looked back only once. I sighed. I reached the other side of the gate, ending up in front of Urahara's shop. Ururu, who was dusting the porch, came to greet me.

"Welcome, can I help you?" she said politely. I nodded.

"I need to see-"

"Ahhh Toshiro! I've been expecting you!" a voice interrupted.

"It's Cap-" I cut myself off. No...it isn't Captain Hitsugaya anymore...is it? He grinned at me.

"Is the little ex-Captain angry cause he isn't a Captain anymore?" he tried to pat my head, but I smacked it away. He always find a way to aggravate me...

"Next time, Kisuke, I use my sword." the shopkeeper took a step back.

"How rude. Now, if you'll follow me, Toshiro." I followed him into his shop and into a small dining room.

"Kisuke, I'm sure that you very well know what I need. So if you please, stop procrastinating. Now." Urahara sighed and plopped down on a pillow.

"Toshiro...are you sure you want to do this? You're risking everything." I nodded once.

"Yes. It's my duty-not as a Captain-but as a Soul Reaper."

*Mamoko's POV*

I sat in the office, looking at the empty chair.

"Toshiro...I can't believe you're gone."

"Mamoko!" I turned towards the door, and Momo burst in and hugged me. Through the door after her came Izuru and Rangiku.

"Are you alright?" she whispered. I shook my head.

"No...I have to find out where he went...I have to."

"Don't be an idiot, Mamoko!" Izuru said. "That's it! I am not letting you put yourself in any more danger!" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What...you can't be serious! I'm not gonna just...sit here and...and do nothing! He is my Captain!" Rangiku put a hand on my shoulder.

"Mamoko...listen. Captain Hitsugaya was banned from the Squad. From the Seireitei! He's...he's not a Soul Reaper anymore. You have to let it go." he voice was soft and caring, but I couldn't help but get angry.

"No...I can't let it go...I won't!" I jerked out of her reach and bumped into the desk, hand on my necklace. My friends looked at me sadly. Damn... "I...I'm sorry. I need to...to get some fresh air." I flash-stepped out of the office and to the training grounds. I saw the squad training, lead by our 6th Seat. Shit! I forgot all about them.

"5th Seat Hirosan!"

"6th Seat Lau." I responded with a nod.

"Have you heard about Captain Hitsugaya?" I nodded.

"I have."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes." I looked at the Squad, and smiled with pride. They've improved so much. "They're very good."

"All thanks to you." I smiled.

"They learned while I did. I was a horrible swordsman when I first started out as a Soul Reaper." he shrugged.

"Aren't we all?"

"Disband them. They've worked hard enough this morning. Thank you for training them in my absence." he bowed.

"You're welcome." he turned back, disbanded the squad, and left me alone. I faced one of the training dummies.

"Fly...Loka Luha!" my zanpakuto quickly lashed out into shikai, sprouting spikes and spitting acid as it wound around the neck of the dummy. Toshiro...where the hell did you go? I thought back to our encounter. His haori was gone, but Hyorinmaru still remained...if a Soul Reaper was released from the Seireitei...shouldn't their zanpakuto be taken as well? So...what does this mean...? I grit my teeth and yanked on Loka Luha, ripping the head off of the dummy. I gripped the hilt of Loka Luha tightly.

"What's going on...Toshiro?"

So hows the story so far? Hope you like ^_^