Just wanted to point this out; no movies will be present in this story with the somewhat exception of the hell verse, though I will be flipping it on its head a bit.

Italics + ' = Thoughts (Etc. = 'What is that?')

Bold + '' = Inner Hollow/Secondary Spirit (Etc. = ''Fucking Quotation marks!'' He roared)

Italics + '' = Zanpakuto Spirit (Etc. = ''Do not hesitate, Ichigo'' Zangetsu said)

Chapter 3: An Understanding - Pink Haired Menace ARC

Under Sokyoku Hill, Toshiro's POV

I breathe in, and out. My Zanpakuto across my lap as I enter Jinzen, moments later a cool breeze passes through me and I open my eyes. I calmly gaze over the snow-rich field that is my inner world. The slight shift in temperature alerts me to the other presence, the lack of hollow Reiatsu dictating which spirit it was. The hollow, despite me beating it, still lingered around but

''I understood your cryptic message'' I comment ''You are a part of me, so you know me as well as I do but see things from your perspective''.

''Indeed'' He admits ''You wish to understand yourself, yet you require someone else's perspective to solve the issue''.

''Mm'' I hum, looking over the vast landscape again.

''What do you believe you are?'' Hyorinmaru asks after a brief silence.

I think only for a moment ''Toshiro Hitsugaya, captain of the tenth division in the Gotei 13, brother to Momo Hinamori''.

''So that is what you are, a captain? a brother?''.

I frown ''Am I not?''.

''You are, but that is what you believe you are and not what you truly are''.

''A Shinigami?'' I guess.

''Correct. At your core you are the same as everyone else, you hold a higher rank but you still must follow orders like those below you'' He replied after a pause ''Why did you become a Shinigami all those years ago?''.

''Because my power was slowly becoming out of control and I risked hurting those around me''.

''You know that is not the whole reason'' Hyorinmaru said.

I frown ''That was my reason''.

''I am a part of you, you cannot lie to me''.

''I also...'' I sigh ''...didn't want to be alone. Granny was company but with my power slowly becoming more unstable she likely would've passed away, so I went to the academy to both control my power and makes some friends''.

I faintly sense a pulse of satisfaction from my frozen companion ''Would you say you have made friends?''.

'Have I?'

''Some of the captains could be considered friends; Ukitake, Kyoraku, Kenpachi if we sparred enough, Unohana possibly, Aizen, Tosen at a stretch'' I ponder ''Most of the lieutenants would consider me a superior opposed to a friend and the same applies to the lower seated officers...''.

''Would all of them consider you a superior officer?'' He asked with a raised eyebrow despite the fact I knew I couldn't see it.

''Momo and Chiro would consider me a brother/friend, regardless if I pushed them away or not'' I half-heartedly growl.

''That is true, but the question is do you want them to be as close to you as they are? Do you want Hinamori to be your brother? Do you want Beelov to be a friend?''.

''Momo is like a sister to me, always has and always will'' I respond ''I... do want her to be a sister to me, in turn allowing me to... be a brother. Chiro refuses to call me by my title and insists that I call her by her birth name, indicating she pays no adherence to authority and considers those around her as friends and comrades, she can be a handful - especially when she goes to other divisions or worse when she goes to play with the lieutenant of the eleventh... yet I won't deny that she has an odd way of lifting peoples spirits just by being around her, even by having a casual conversation with her could relieve a headache''.

''When she's not the one causing the headaches'' Hyorinmaru smirked and I let out a small chuckle.

''True'' I say and look up at the sky ''Her power is incredible on top of that, easily capable of matching my Bankai without even releasing her Shikai. She has never said it but I'm sure she has achieved Bankai, top that off with knowing extensive knowledge of Kido including those that I have never heard of it makes her a powerful opponent. Her hollow is even kind to an extend and she must trust it, since she willing gave control to it''.

''So you do consider her a friend? If so then why do you treat her just like any other subordinate?'' He questioned.

''Because I don't know how to'' I say quietly ''I'm a captain, before that I was a 3rd seat, before then I was a prodigy in the academy, before that I was in Rukongai... I never have interacted with others very much. In the Rukongai only Granny and Momo were the ones who actually spoke to me unafraid, in the academy my attitude and appearance staved off others, as a third seat I took orders and gave orders... Captain Shiba and Lieutenant Matsumoto got drunk often so I mostly handled the paperwork and general division stuff that they passed onto me. As a captain starting friendships with others is difficult, especially since some would only do it just for bragging material''.

Hyorinmaru was silent for a moment before speaking again ''I cannot help you with that, however you should acknowledge that if anything she is one of the only people who you can voice your concerns to without repercussions. She also displays hollow powers, how she has them is not known but you two are alike each other. You are both Shinigami and Hollow, if you ever need to tell someone of an issue she is the best candidate... she has also said she enjoys your company, meaning she would rather spend it with you than those of lower ranking''.

''I guess'' I sigh, looking at my palms ''Have I ever taken a wrong turn, Hyorinmaru? Should I have become a Shinigami? Should I have strived to be a captain in the first place? Should I have been so cold to others?''.

''That depends on if you find your current situation unlikable'' He said ''Do you enjoy being a Shinigami? Do you enjoy being a captain? Do you think not being so cold would've changed things so drastically? You cannot change the past, merely accepted any mistakes you made and get on with your life''.

''Yeah... your right'' I say as a light snow falls down onto my face. A comfortable silence fills the air for only a minute, the cool snow relaxing my tense muscles before an unexpected question pops up.

''What do you think of me?'' His hollow asked suddenly.

I still don't turn around to look at the pair, focusing on the sky instead ''What do I think of you? Your annoying, dangerous, perverted and so much more. Regardless of the technicalities, you are a part of me like Hyorinmaru. I may hate you, but that means I hate me. Your traits are present in me even before you appeared, just buried at the back of my mind''.

''No wonder he's a fuckin' prodigy, insightful little bugger'' My hollow grumbles quietly ''That's not all though''.

I sigh and search in my mind for the answer, I come up with something that I heard in passing once from which was better than nothing ''You are... my despair, my sadness, my instincts and all of my negative emotions in a manifested form''.

''Do you have a list of fucking answers or something?'' He replied grumpily, I crack a tiny smile as my hollow stomps off in the opposite direction.

''Now, after all these questions... do you believe you understand yourself?'' Hyorinmaru asked.

I didn't take any longer than a minute to decide, when I do I turn to face the large ice dragon ''No I don't, answering a few questions and giving my opinions on them does not mean I now have an extensive knowledge of myself, I believe I have learnt some things and you have allowed me to think on other things''.

If a dragon could smile, I bet he would be right now ''Good to see your intellect is as sharp as ever. I recommend you continue to train with Beelov, I will alert you when you are closer to understanding yourself as a whole''.

''Thank you, Hyorinmaru'' I smile slightly as I begin to fade away.

''Tch, you forgot to tell him about lettin' him use more of ya power'' The hollow growls.

''I should be saying that to you''.

''Shut up!''.

''Good morning captain! Matsu-chan!'' Chiro cheers as she enters the office with a handful of paperwork.

''Morning'' I reply while I sign another piece of paper, putting off to the side.

''Hello Chiro-chan!'' Matsumoto calls from the couch ''More paperwork?''.

''Yeah'' She pouted ''I woke up with several stacks on my desk''.

''Aw poor Chiro'' Matsumoto coos ''Captain! Can we take the day off-''.

''You took the day off yesterday, the day before that and the day before that'' I growl ''Do some paperwork for a change''.

''Aw you meanie'' My lieutenant pouts.

''Maybe another day Matsu-chan'' Chiro giggles ''Captain is training me later on anyway''.

''You two are training a lot recently'' She comments ''This is the sixth day in a row''.

''Yeah, Captain is training my Zanjutsu skills'' She lied ''My Shunpo and Kido are almost as good as the captains, I just need to learn technique with my Zanpakuto''.

''Mm'' Matsumoto hums.

Chiro walked up to my desk and neatly placed the paperwork on an empty space of the desk, to which I nod my thanks at. However she looked over her shoulder at Matsumoto who was busy with a piece of paperwork before leaning close to me.

''Your Reiatsu is leaking out, including your hollow Reiatsu'' She whispered softly and my eyes go wide ''I put a barrier around you, rein in your Reiatsu then I'll dismiss it''.

I give a small nod before drawing in my excess Reiatsu and surprisingly there is a lot more than normal. My initial thoughts drift to the conversation yesterday evening with my Zanpakuto and hollow, but I admitted to not fully understand myself and in turn not 'completing' my Bankai. I'll have to ask later.

Once all my Reiatsu is drawn in, easily a fifth of my whole reserves (meaning that my overall reserves have increased by 20%). Chiro pretends to scratch the back of her neck and flicks her hand dismissively, a small silver barrier appears around me for just a moment before it disappears and cool air blows through the open window.

I open my desk drawer and take out a small pile of reports ''Chiro, I need you to take these to the first division. You know where''.

She nods with her ever-present smile still present, she takes the papers and leaves the room. I sigh and rub my temples in a feeble effort to relieve the headache from my hollow yelling perverted comments.

'Why me?'

I release several ice dragons and they fly at her, she easily out manoeuvres the dragons before Shunpo'ing inside my guard and shoving her knee into my stomach before twirling and kicking my side and sending me flying. I skid to a stop and raise my sword just in time to block her own, I angle my Zanpakuto diagonally in a single swift motion causing her blade to go in that direction. I do a spin of my own and slash a long cut up her back before backing off.

''Your getting better'' She smiled at me with a glint of pride in her eye ''Go Bankai, if you're this good with your Shikai then your Bankai might actually force me to use my own Shikai''.

''Isn't it a little early for Bankai?'' I question dryly ''I only activated my Shikai less than ten minutes ago''.

''Please~'' She begged and did the god-forbidden puppy eyes.

''Fine...'' I growl as my Reiatsu flares ''Bankai!''.

Icy wind surrounds me as my wings and tail form in an instant and the ice creeping up my sword-wielding arm, forming a dragon head. I dismiss the wind instinctively and reveal my Bankai to my sparring opponent.

''I was right!'' She chirped excitedly ''Your Bankai has changed!''.

''Eh?'' I frown ''You realise I can't really see myself right?''

''Oh right'' She said and reached inside her Shihakusho and pulled out a small mirror, to which I don't question. She was right though, the middle purple flower that floated above me now had four smaller petals that were in the diagonal orientation for a total of eight. The other two flowers were still untouched though, which was strange. My other arm, which normally only had my hand infused with the ice now sported some ice on the shoulder and bicep.

''Its evolved'' She smiled ''So you did figure it out, eh?''.

''Partly'' I say ''I decided that I was not ready, I didn't understand myself as a whole. That's why I'm surprised my Bankai has 'evolved', because I thought I wasn't ready''.

''Hm'' She hummed thoughtfully ''Oh well, you can ask Hyorinmaru later, for now...''.

I move back in time to dodge a slash at my torso, I burst forward and swing down at her now-defending blade. The second our blades meet a small crater with spider-web cracks appears below her and her eyes go wide, she angles her blade off balance and the sudden movement forces me to reign in my balance but leave my side exposed. She Shunpo'ed backwards and raised a palm.

''Raikoho!'' She called and sent the large blast of electricity at me, I Shunpo out of its range and with the swing of my sword shoot several ice dragons which she avoids with only slightly more difficultly than before.

''You might force me to use my Shikai yet, captain'' She grinned cheekily.

I swing my blade and send a dozen more dragons at her ''Is that a challenge?''.

She kept Shunpo'ing out of the way of the incoming ice dragons, she even used one to vault herself over to me and lock blades.

''Maybe'' She grinned wider. She disappeared in a blur and reappeared behind me, I spin and block the attack but the second our blades clang together she was gone again, this time appearing to my right. I block and like before she reappears somewhere else, repeating the action dozens of times and slowly taxing my stamina, In a brief opening I Shunpo away.

''Guncho Tsurara!'' I yell and swing my blade, sending a hailstorm of daggers at her and forcing her to use a rapid series of Shunpo to evade. She gets clipped by one on her arm and it creates a small burst of ice which cracks almost instantly, spouting some blood from the wound. She Shunpo'ed back again and smiled, a devious sparkle in her eye.

''I take back what I said earlier captain'' She said and twisted her grip on the hilt so the blade was pointing down ''You'll get to see my Shikai today''.

'I feel like I'm going to need the mask...'

''Slice and Dice, Kamisori-Fu'' She grinned as her Zanpakuto blew up a gust, the blade shortened to the length of a short sword, the guard turning into a smooth bronze oval and the handle into a silvery bronze. She spun around and slash the air, sending whitened but barely visible razor-like winds at a fast-moving pace. The winds cut several rocks into literal ribbons before they crumbled in on themselves. (Kamisori-fu = Razor Wind)

''Definitely going to need the mask'' I gulp and slam the mask over my face, though it felt different ''Hey Chiro''.

''Mm?'' She hummed.

''Is my mask any different?'' I ask curiously.

''Hm... oh it is! Its got a blue stripe across the left side of the mask, from the upper horn to the jaw'' She said happily.

''Interesting'' I muse and readied my blade ''Lets go!''.

''I regret forcing you to use your Shikai...'' I groan on the ground.

''Its the thought that counts'' She laughed lightly as she healed the numerous cuts all over me.

''I lasted two minutes!'' I exclaim ''Without the mask I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have last one''.

''Well nee-san did say my Shikai was one of the deadliest ones out there'' She giggled ''I haven't even shown you any techniques yet''.

''I'm not sure I want you to'' I groan again and she giggled mercilessly.

''Shiro-chan!'' A voice calls and I look up from my paperwork to see Momo skipping into the room happily.

''Hello bed-wetter Momo'' I retort causing her to squeak out in embarrassment.

''Hello Hinamori-chan!'' Matsumoto calls happily from the couch.

''Hi Rangiku-san'' She smiled back, said woman then began moving some paperwork under the couch like I couldn't see.

''Captain~ Can we-''.

''No'' I reply immediately ''Do your paperwork''.

''But captain~''.

''Matsumoto...'' I growl, which shut her up. The door opens again with Chiro carrying a small pile of papers, likely from either her office or the 1st division.

''Hello Captain Toshi~'' She chirped and waved to the other two occupants who waved in turn. She planted the paper on the desk and left as quick as she entered, I begin to file the paper out and notice a small note on one, which made me pale slightly.

Hope your ready to fight my Shikai today :P

Weeks past quickly. Myself and Chiro sparred daily and I had to admit my skill had gotten far better, I spoke with my Zanpakuto often now and our bond felt stronger so to speak. We knew each other better than we knew ourselves, technicality aside that is. The result of our 'understanding' is he drastic increase in my power. I could now face against Chiro's Shikai with only my Bankai, which while it is still kind of depressing the fact I didn't need to use my hollow powers just to face her Shikai. My Bankai in question had changed drastically. Like, really drastically.

The three flowers that float above me now hold eight petals each, doubling the time I can keep my Bankai active. The ice that had began to cover my other arm had progressed all the way down and copied my normal Bankai, though there was one major surprise that even now I still don't fully understand; I'm now a duel-wielder. Apparently this was the true form of my Bankai, my original Bankai being only half of it.

I had learned a new technique with my mastered Bankai, Kita no Senpu. I hold my blade out horizontally and do a spin while charging my blade with my icy Reiatsu, creating a whirlwind of icy cold wind. It generated around me and stayed around me for a short while before it faded, good for multiple opponents.

My bond with my inner hollow has gotten somewhat better, as much as a bond with a hollow can. We were on fairly good speaking terms though he still called me Toshiro-dono. He also insisted that he didn't have a name, so I just went with Ho-shiro. Hollow-Toshiro in other words, he accepted it though constantly reminded me that my high intelligence did not carry over to my naming skills.

My mask had gained another teal stripe down the right side of my face, matching the other one. Both started at the outer horn and ran over each eye-hole before stopping at the jawline, despite only having a slight difference in appearance the boost in the boost in power was enormous to say the least. It was like the power of my Shikai combined with my Bankai, instead of a power-up from my Shikai.

More hollows had began appearing at the abyss, most Adjuchas and the occasional Vasto Lorde. They were dealt with without major incident thankfully but it visibly bothered Chiro whenever it was brought up, her face would morph into a frown or she would look off into the distance with a glazed over look. Anytime I asked her about it she hastily dismissed it, I in turn dismissed it as curiosity or concern for others like she has shown before.

She however has been paranoid recently, an emotion that I have never seen her display before in the three months I have known her. She faced down several Vasto Lorde's and fought myself, a captain, at full strength and kept a smile on her face all the time. With that in mind, what could make her so skittish?

When I pressed the issue at first she insisted nothing was wrong, though after I prodded (somewhat gently) she eventually told me she had the suspicion we were being followed. Yet with that knowledge she couldn't get a reading on their Reiatsu, which considering her skill in it made her worried. After we went to training the next day she set up a bunch of elaborate Kido that I've never seen before at the entrance, blocking out any means of getting inside without either a master Kido user or alerting us via siren alarm.

Nothing eventful happened for several days, business passed as normal without any incidents either. Our training continued in peace and as per usual I got a few good hits in and she straight-up destroyed me, she healed me then we began to return to the division. That's when things changed slightly from our usual routine.

Chiro and I were walking down a forestry pathway, greenery on both sides and a thick overhang. We held no wounds to show our fight had even occurred, though our clothes had quite a few tears in it. Nothing to prove the fight had escalated past Shikai, but enough to prove a hell of a fight went on, thankfully if anyone ever got suspicious Chiro said that she could insist it was her Shikai, since it was a 'slicing' type of Zanpakuto - cuts in clothing would be easy to blame on it.

On that day, she stopped. Just slowed to a stop and turned to the right-side of the clearing, a confused frown crossed my face as I sense out but find no trace of anything.

In a cheery voice she called out ''Hiya, Captain Double Braidy!''.

''Captain Double Braidy?'' I deadpan.

''2nd division'' She clarified happily, though a small flash in her eye showed that this had her wary. An uneasy feeling settled into my gut, if something ever had Chiro wary then it was a good reason for you to be too. Add to the fact this is the 2nd division captain, I own (unwilling) hollow powers, my 3rd seat owns hollow powers (The whole one-hollow-eye still not explained) and she can easily handle against a captain without the use of Shikai.

Captain Soi Fon jumps down from a tree, her expression one of annoyance and sternness ''How did you sense me?''.

Chiro giggled ''I smelt you, you smell like lemons''.

''Eh?'' Soi Fon word-stumbled ''H-How did you...?''.

''I've got a good nose'' Chiro stated with fake (to me, since I knew her) bravado ''How else would I find all the candy me and Yachiru look for?''.

Thankfully Soi Fon didn't even attempt to look through her façade, likely dismissing it as her childish persona ''Sure''.

''What were you doing in a tree, Captain Double Braidy?'' Chiro asked with a quirk of her head.

She opened her mouth to retort but closed it again, rather responding to the question ''I was training by myself when I noticed you two passing by, it is a technique that I have developed and requires total concentration otherwise it will react violently. As such I stopped when you passed by, now with that out the way... what are you two doing out here?''.

''We were training, Captain Soi Fon'' I inform sternly.

''It explains the damage to your uniforms'' She said ''Though, that doesn't explain the lack of actual wounds or the fact that you have more damage present, captain Hitsugaya''.

''Its my Shikai!'' Chiro blurted out cheerfully, though only slightly more forced ''I'm really sneaky, plus I'm getting better with using my Shikai thanks to the sparring sessions, since I can't penetrate his Reiatsu I only manage to cut his clothes''.

''So you two aren't stripping each other?'' Soi Fon smirked, causing my face to glow bright red. Chiro blushed too but not as bad as me, had Soi Fon of all people made a joke?

She continued smirked as she used Shunpo to disappear, either resuming her training or leaving completely.

''Lets go, captain'' She whispered softly but seriously ''Fast''.

She disappeared in a blur and I easily kept pace with her, she had a worried frown across her face which in turn worried me greatly. I've been a captain for six years and known Chiro for three, four months? Yet in the process of fully achieving Bankai I had come to terms that in public we were an ice-cold captain and a childish 3rd seat, while alone we were something akin to close friends. She clung to me no matter how many times I barked at her for being ridiculous, she wasn't a Matsumoto who enjoyed making perverse comments, she never said any in her life (with the exception of her hollow, recently dubbed as hollow-chan). She was someone who saw him as an equal, they were both child-like in appearance, they were both prodigies, both of the same division.

For that, he could call her a friend - even if only in private.

We land at the division as in a somewhat casual manner, though people still got out of their way since it had been known for me to have temper problems whenever we returned from training. At first some were concerned with my battle-worn appearance but I brushed them off as we had stopped by the fourth and were going for a change in clothes right now.

Obviously for appearance sake we couldn't both immediately go to my office to speak or for orders, since most would have their mind in the gutter if they thought that. So Chiro had (to my annoyance and begrudging respect) made a tunnel through the wall hidden behind an illusionary Kido barrier that made it seem as if the wallpaper was still there, Matsumoto never noticed the difference. And of course when I asked who she knew; nee-san. Thankfully, sort of, her room was to my right while my lieutenant on the left meaning that she didn't have to tunnel under or worse over the division.

So like usual we went into our separate offices where it joined onto our private rooms that everyone above fifth seat had, while everyone below that had rooms in the main barracks. I went into my private room, a small wooden door in the corner of the room and entered. It was a bland room with half the walls divided in colour; the top half a light blue while the bottom a creamy peach. My bed was in the corner of the room next to a small window and bedside table, two bookshelves on the left wall opposite the bed, which was by the right wall. My wardrobe stood a pale oak next to the darker wood of the bookshelves.

It was a secluded room, the window small enough so only someone of Chiro's size could fit through and no doors leading outside. I liked the room, it meant that I had privacy and that was something I enjoyed - not being bothered with the problems of a captain.

I dismiss the thoughts and quickly disrobe myself and redress in fresh, untorn clothing. Unohana was very generous in allowing us (almost) unlimited access to the clothing stockpile since it largely went unused, so we never had trouble going to her lieutenant and getting a fresh pile of them. After I straighten my clothing out and scowl at a small tear in the Haori - the commander will very likely kill me for it - I head out of the room back into the office were Chiro was sitting at the couch patiently, also clad in new clothes.

''Its important?'' I question when I notice the lack of Matsumoto, the serious frown on her face - which had become too often recently - and the fact her body was tense.

''Yeah'' She said, placing her palms together and muttering something while I get accosted into my desk chair, she finished whatever Kido spell it was and a silver barrier appearance around the brim of the room before fading from sight ''Sound barrier required''.

''Shit just got serious'' His hollow comments, which I mostly ignore.

''So, what's the issue?'' I ask tiredly.

''Its the captain of the second division, I feel like she's onto us'' She explained ''I sensed almost the entire squad 2 hidden in the foliage and I doubt they would be training, especially since the captain lied about training alone and they normally train on the western part of the forest and never the middle where we were since that's squad 1 territory''.

''She was acting unusually playful'' I grumble ''Captain Soi Fon is never playful, so I can see why your so worried''.

''Mm'' She hummed softly ''I don't want you to get into trouble captain''.

''You'd get caught too, don't go throwing yourself in the line of fire so I don't take any heat'' I frown at her.

She giggled lightly; a sign the stress was seriously affecting her, yet I hadn't noticed this for days ''If nee-san heard I was put on death row for hollow powers, she would tear through the commander himself just to haul me back home and stuff cookies down my throat''.

I raise an eyebrow ''I thought you loved cookies?''.

''I do!'' She smiled eagerly, momentarily forgetting her mental fatigue ''Hers are extra good, but...''.

''But?''.

''She would literally shove them down my throat if I got in so much trouble'' She shivered and I sweat drop.

''Anyway, back onto the important part'' I say bringing us back to the topic at hand ''What happens if we're discovered? They won't execute us on sight because of our ranks but we'll be sentenced to death within seven days''.

A devious grin spread across her tired face, something I have come to worry about whenever it appeared ''We'll comply, if we get caught then I'll break us out''.

She looked me in the eyes with a sad smile on her face and I find myself missing the happy-go-lucky girl from the academy months ago.

''You know, Toshi, if we get caught then we'll have to leave, likely forever right?'' She asked gently ''I... wanted to know if push comes to shove and we get caught... will you join me in fighting our way out?''.

He didn't hesitate ''Definitely''.