Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Bleach series in any way. All copyrights go to Tite Kubo. The only character I do own is Guardian Aoi.

Author's Note: Hey everyone, I'm back with an update of Beyond Perspective. Special thanks to everyone who have been so patient especially my wonderful reviewers: anime16, Shiro-ouji-sama, fayfan, un-biased critique, Hyourinmaru10, icyangel27, Chichi4mangaHero, Koatan, Lavi-hime 4E -3, KnowledgeandImagination, Crystal183, Neko no me, Mrs. HopeEstheim, and forbiddenlovex.

Message to Shiro-ouji-sama: To be honest, I'm still contemplating whether to include Ichigo and Ikkaku in the story. I just don't want to add too many characters which will result in leaving a few of them out in several chapters. That would be such a waste. As for Gin...well, I won't say anything about him for now. xD Thanks for your review!

Message to un-biased critique: Hn, I can see what you're talking about and I do have to agree. Describing the imagery in the story is definitely something I need to work on. With that said, I'll do my best to improve on it. Thanks for your review!

Without any further delay, here is chapter four. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking."

Beyond Perspective

Chapter Four: The Fallen Ones

Just when she expected it, she felt nothing. Wondering what is going on, Hinamori opened her eyes. They widened upon astonishment. The heavenly guardian stood in front of her and deflected the attack up into the atmosphere. As a result, she is safe from any harm. "Sh-Shiro!"

Toshiro took a quick glance over his shoulder and said, "I suggest you get out of here, Hinamori."

The peach girl nodded with agreement. "Ah hai!"

"She could do that," said a voice. "However, she has already been dragged into this war just by being able to see guardians of the heavenly afterlife."

Momo and Toshiro raised their heads to see the floating dark blue light hover in front. The light soon faded, revealing a young navy haired male dressed in a blue and black kimono and a pair of sandals. The most unusual trait about him is the dark blue wings on his back. Hitsugaya hissed between his teeth. "Leave her out of this; this is guardian business between the both of us, Aoi."

The guardian folded his arms over his chest. "Fine then, but I'm here on behalf of Kyo."

The white haired guardian narrowed his eyes. "Kyo, huh? So, you plan on getting rid of me before you initiate the plan of taking over the heavenly afterlife and eventually, the Earth."

"Hn..." The blue winged guardian stopped to think for a moment. "Yeah, that's pretty much what Kyo-sama has told me."

He held his hand out in front and summoned a liquid shaped trident. He took hold of his weapon and spun it around a few times before getting into battle position.

"If you don't mind, let's start this battle."

Hitsugaya sighed with defeat. He held his hand out to the side. Suddenly, a long bladed ice sword appeared. He grabbed it by the hilt. "To be honest, I don't want to fight you right now."

The blue winged guardian let out a smirk. "You can still flee from this battle. However, that would be irresponsible of you to do such a thing."

Toshiro put his other hand on the sword's hilt and held his sword out in front. "I'm well aware of that. It's my duty to keep people like you from interfering with the lives of the living beings."

With a single flap of his wings, Aoi flew towards his opponent. During this time, Hitsugaya swung his sword across and created a shield of ice in front. He then looked over his shoulder to see Momo.

"Hurry up and get on my back."

"W-What?" she asked skeptically.

"Just do it!"

"H-Hai!"

Once Hinamori put her hands together over Hitsugaya's shoulder, he said, "Hold on tight!"

She nodded and did what she was told. Then, she glanced over to the side to see Aoi broke through the barricade. The peach girl gasped. As he is about to launch an attack, Momo called out to the heavenly guardian, "S-Shiro!"

"I know!"

Toshiro flapped his wings and immediately took flight. As a result, his actions caused Momo to shriek. As a result, the white haired guardian placed his hands over his ears.

"Oi Hinamori, can you tone down with the scream?" Hitsugaya asked. "My ears are ringing."

"I-It can't be helped. I've never flown before," Momo replied. "By the way, w-wouldn't the people below notice me?"

Shiro put his hands down. "Don't worry; I gave you a bit of my power to temporarily become invisible. It will immediately wear off once you let go of me."

"Oh..." There is a short pause. "Am I too heavy for you?"

"No, I can manage."

Then, they heard something. Both Toshiro and Momo looked over their shoulder to see Aoi easily closing the gap between them. "He's gaining on us!"

Hitsugaya hissed between his teeth. He looked down and scanned the area for a place to land on Seireitei High. "I'm sorry Hinamori, but I have to put you back down on the ground somewhere. Once you let me go, be sure to hide somewhere safe in the school."

Momo slowly nodded with agreement. "Okay."

Noticing that the blue guardian is about to attack again, Hitsugaya quickly dived towards the ground below. "Hinamori!"

"H-Hai!"

Just as he is meters away from crashing, Momo let go of Toshiro. While the heavenly guardian managed to fly back up into the sky, the peach girl landed on her feet. Quickly, she ran into the rooftop staircase and shut the door behind her. After catching her breath, Hinamori narrowly opened the door and peeked outside. Her eyes widened upon astonishment.

"Is this what has been going on without normal people knowing?"

The two guardians clashed their weapons against one another before they created some distance between each other. With a twist of his wrist, Aoi spun his trident in a clockwise direction. As a result, he summoned a jet stream of water towards the white haired guardian. Shiro made his counter attack by swinging his sword across. He froze all the water into ice. With another swing in the other direction, he smashed the ice into tiny fragments. The blue guardian let out a smirk.

"This is so nostalgic," Aoi finally said. "When was the last time we fought like this?"

"We last fought each other about twenty years ago in the heavenly afterlife," Toshiro answered. "At the time, you were still a resident of the heavenly afterlife."

The two guardians clashed their weapons against one another once more, fighting for dominance. "Hn, how did you know I don't live there anymore?"

"The Great Guardian sent me a special message in regards to your betrayal." With a fierce push, he pulled away from the taller guardian. "Also, according to the heavenly law, guardians other than Shiro and Kuro are not allowed to come down here."

"Then, it's safe to say that you know there are other guardians down here?"

Hitsugaya held his sword out in front. "Yes, I know."

"Have you met them?"

"Kyo is the only person I've seen over the past ten years of this lifetime."

"Well, that's unfortunate." He then sighed. "Oh well, I'm sure you'll encounter all of them soon enough. Besides, Kyo-sama has big plans to achieve and certain guardians to get rid of."

Using this opportunity, Hitsugaya raised two fingers on one side of his cheek. Once a bright yellow light started glowing at the tip of his fingers, he called out, "Sajo Sabaku!"

He fired the spirit chain to bind Aoi's arms and legs.

"Before things get too troublesome, I will defeat you here and now."

The blue winged guardian narrowed his eyes. "In other words, you're going to be fighting seriously."

By the time both hands are gripped onto the hilt of his sword, Toshiro flapped his wings and flew towards Aoi. He raised his sword above his head and swung it back down. However, he only managed to cut through liquid water. He hissed between his teeth. "A fake, huh?"

"Ping-pong! You're right!" Sensing danger, Hitsugaya quickly flew off to the side and dodged Aoi's chance at stabbing his trident through his body. "Damn, I almost got the chance to see you squirm."

Toshiro braked with his right foot and swung his sword, sending a wave of ice towards the other guardian. "Hyoryu Senbi!"

Aoi leaped back and avoided the attack. "Ha, you missed!"

The white haired guardian let out a smirk. With his free hand, he gripped onto the air beside him. After a single tug, it revealed that he was holding an invisible rope of spiritual energy. On the other end of it, the rope was wrapped around Aoi's left wrist. "Don't underestimate someone who has lived many lives over the past few centuries."

He gripped tightly onto the rope.

"Now, tell me: where's Kyo hiding right now?"

Aoi stuck his tongue out. "I'm not telling."

Hitsugaya gave him a stern look. "Fine, have it your way. Tsuzuri Raiden."

"Shit!" The blue winged guardian struggled to break free and fly away. However, the heavenly guardian refused to let go. He channeled some of his power into the rope, sending an electric current across to the other side. Once it made contact with the other guardian, he became electrocuted all over his body. "C-C-Cur-se...y-y-you, S-Sh-Shi...ro! I-I-It...w-won't...be the l-last t-time...y-you'll see m-me!"

All of a sudden, his body changed into liquid water state and exploded. As he watched the guardian scatter, fall, and dissolve from the atmosphere, Hitsugaya sighed with defeat. "Note to self: the next time you meet him or any of his kind, make sure to give them no mercy."

Remembering about the peach girl, he flew down until he landed on the school rooftop. During this time, Momo came out of her hiding place and joined up with him. "Are you alright, Hitsugaya-kun?"

Toshiro reverted back to his normal state and examined himself. "Yeah, I was able to manage somehow."

She cracked a small smile. "By the way, who was he exactly? Is he a guardian like you?"

The white haired teenager stuffed his hands into his pants pockets and looked away. "It's...something like that."

"Oh..."

"You se-"

Without any warning, they heard a familiar voice interrupt their conversation. "Yo Hitsugaya, have you finished with your guardian business yet?"

The two teenagers turned to the side to see Rangiku approach them. "Yeah, I'm pretty much done."

"Are you sure?" Momo asked. "What if he comes back?"

"He won't," the heavenly guardian in disguise replied. "I've fought him countless of times in the past. So, I know his capabilities and limitations."

"I see."

"Of course, he would know," Matsumoto said with a grin. "Besides, he's an old man stuck in a young teenager's body!"

Toshiro shot her a glare. "Oi, didn't I already tell you not to make that comment again?"

There was a brief moment of silence. "Oh yeah, I forgot."

He sighed with defeat. "Anyways, how much time is left in the game?"

"There are still twenty minutes left not including extra time. The score is still tied at two a piece."

Hitsugaya nodded. "Alright, I guess it's up to me to break the balance."

"Oh yeah, we're going to win this!" Momo let out a soft giggle. Matsumoto turned to Hinamori. "Come on, let's go!"

"Hai Matsumoto-san!"

The strawberry orange haired woman smiled. "There's no need for you to be so formal. You can just call me by my name."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "Of course, Hinamori! Besides, I have a good feeling we're going to be hanging out with each other a lot more from now on."

The peach girl slowly nodded her head. "Ah hai, Rangiku-san..."

"Now that's a good girl." She turned to the other side, checking up on her schoolmate. "Ah, Hitsugaya has completely ditched us! Let's go!"

Just as Matsumoto is running towards the stairs, Hinamori soon followed behind her. "I'm coming! I'm coming!"

"Argh, I can't believe it!" Renji complained as he and his fellow schoolmates are walking home together. "We got our butts whopped by them again!"

"Well, at least you didn't lose as badly this time," Momo said.

The red headed teenager placed his hands together on the back of his head. "That's easy for you to say. You weren't the one playing on the field."

"...That's true."

"By the way, we saw you hanging out with someone from the other school," Izuru pointed out. "Do you know her or something?"

"Actually, we only met today through another friend, who is from the same school."

"Ah, I see."

After a while, they stopped in front of Momo's house. "Thanks for walking me home, you guys."

"It's no problem," Kira replied. "We'll see you at school tomorrow."

The peach girl nodded with agreement. "Bye everyone."

As they watched the raven haired girl go into the house, Hisagi said, "Bye Hinamori."

"Later," Renji replied.

Izuru said, "See you, Hinamori-kun."

Just as she opened the front door, Momo glanced over her shoulder and gave them one last friendly farewell. Then, she entered the house and closed the door behind her. "I'm home Obaa-san!"

As Hinamori is changing her shoes into her slippers, the elderly woman walked out of the kitchen to greet her. "Welcome home, Momo. You're home pretty late."

The peach girl walked up to her grandmother and smiled. "Yeah, I stayed at school a little longer because I wanted to watch my friends play in their soccer match against West Rukon High."

"I see."

"Even though we lost the match, I still had a great time there."

Obaa-san smiled. "That's good to hear."

She nodded. "I'll go upstairs and change. Dinner is almost ready, right?"

As the older Hinamori watched the younger one run up the stairs, Obaa-san called out to her, "Take your time."

"Hai!"

Once she entered her bedroom, Momo walked over to her study table to leave her bag on the desk. Because she was too focused on getting ready to change, she didn't realize that there is someone else in the room. "Hey."

"Hey." Hinamori walked over to the wardrobe. She opened the drawer and pulled out some clothes. On the spot, she took off her neck bow tie and unbuttoned her dress shirt. All of a sudden, a thought dawned to her like a speeding truck. She raised her head and asked, "Hey? Why did I say that?"

She turned her body to the side only to realize that Toshiro Hitsugaya is sitting on her bed. He was staring at her with a straight look on his face. Instinctively, she covered her exposed area with her arms and blushed. "H-Hitsugaya-kun, w-what are you doing here? Actually, how did you get in here?"

"I haven't answered your question in regards to the guardian we met earlier and I came in through the open window in my guardian state."

"Well, could you at least warn me first that you're coming over?" She turned a shade darker. "Also, a-aren't you embarrassed about this situation?"

"If I were to see a woman the first time, then yes, I would've been embarrassed."

Momo turned around so that he wouldn't look at her chest. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot that you lived many lives before this one. Then, you must have had lots of girlfriends and children."

There is a short pause. "Actually, I don't have either."

Hinamori blinked and glanced over her shoulder to face him. "R-Really?"

Hitsugaya nodded. "Special guardians like me only live for about twenty-five years at most during our lifetime as a living being. Also, because of our assigned duties, we don't really...have the time to worry about raising a family and such."

"I-I see..." There is a brief moment of silence. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Toshiro asked.

She replied, "For raising such a private matter."

"It's alright; it's not the first time I've been asked that question. Both Matsumoto and my friend, Kusaka asked me about it before."

"I see. How are you able to become...immune to seeing bodies of the other sex?"

Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to hear it?"

"Well, yeah..."

He sighed. "Fine, in one of my past lives, I took medical studies in University."

"Oh, so...you've seen patients in that state before."

Toshiro nodded his head. "Other than that, I've gotten into...accidental situations before. Eventually, I just gotten used to it."

"I see."

"Anyway, I'll step out for a bit so that you can finish changing."

Once he mentioned that, Momo blushed and turned around. She completely forgot about being dressed half naked in front of a guy. "N-No, you can stay here. I-I'll go to the washroom to do that."

With that said Hinamori closed the drawer and quickly bolted out of her room. By the time he is alone; Hitsugaya sighed and lay back on the mattress. "Note to self: the next time you plan on visiting Hinamori, be sure she is not changing when you come in."

As he patiently waited for her return, he closed his eyes and took a short rest. However, it was brutally interrupted by the sound of his stomach. The white haired teenager opened his eyes and sat up. He placed a hand over his belly and sighed.

"It's dinnertime, huh?"

He sat there and thought for a moment. All of a sudden, he made a face.

"Damn, there's no food to eat at home." He stuffed his hand into his pants pocket and took out a thin wallet. He opened it and checked the contents inside. "I have to go shopping after this."

"I'm back," said a voice. Once he noticed Momo enter the room, Toshiro put away his wallet back into his pocket. She came in with a tray of food. She placed them on the study table. "I brought a lot of food with me; so, it's okay if you want some."

Without any warning, Toshiro's stomach growled again. Upon hearing it, Momo cracked a smile. She picked up a bowl of rice and a pair of chopsticks. She held them out to him.

"Here you go."

After a short moment of hesitation, Hitsugaya extended his hand out and accepted her offer. "T-Thanks."

"No problem."

Momo pulled out and sat on her chair. After saying her thanks, she began eating dinner with her guardian friend. "How did you manage to get food up here? Wouldn't your folks wonder what you're up to?"

Hinamori cracked a faint smile and replied, "I...managed to come up with a valid excuse without telling my grandmother that I have a boy in my room."

"...I see."

"So, you were about to explain about that guardian we met at school."

Once he finished eating the food in his mouth, he looked at her and replied, "The person we encountered with is Aoi. He was once called the guardian of the seas."

"He was once called that?"

"He is one of the six ex-guardians who are exiled from the heavenly afterlife many years ago. They are called the Fallen Ones."

"The Fallen Ones?"

He nodded. "That's right."

While Toshiro took another few bites from his food, Momo further asked, "Why were they exiled?"

"They all joined forces and tried to kill The Great Guardian once."

"Oh..."

"Luckily, Kuro and I were there at the time. So, we fought back and defeated them."

"I see."

"Since then, they must have joined forces with Kyo."

"It's that name again," she thought. "You mentioned his name before. Who is Kyo exactly?"

Hitsugaya stopped eating for a moment and put his food down on his lap. He lowered his head. "He's...the latest threat to both the heavenly afterlife and the living world."

He raised his head up.

"That's all I can say about him."

"Oh..."

There is a short pause. "Don't worry too much; I will protect everyone from his wrath."

Momo smiled. "Arigato Hitsugaya-kun."

Toshiro returned to finishing his meal. Once he is done, he stood up from his seat and placed it on the tray. "Thanks for the meal."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

He nodded. "I have to get going. I have some homework to do."

"Ah yeah." As Hitsugaya changed into his guardian state, Momo placed her food down and stood up from her seat.

After walking over to him, she said, "Thanks for protecting me back at school."

"You're welcome."

"I'll see you some other time."

"Ja ne."

With that said he jumped out the window and flew towards the western horizon. As she watched him disappear from her sight, Hinamori said, "Have a safe trip, Shiro."

As he stood in midair high above the buildings, the dark violet winged guardian is looking down at the city of Seireitei and the many citizens below. A small grin suddenly appeared on his face. "Yo Kyo-san."

Hearing the familiar voice, he turned his body to the side to see the gray winged guardian in his presence. "Gray..."

"Are you looking out in the distance searching for Kuro again?" he asked. "You do understand that she's not an easy person to spot."

"I know; all we have to do is force her out," Kyo simply answered. "Besides, one guardian is definitely not enough to protect everyone."

Gray suddenly let out a grin. "Hn, I suppose you're right about that."

"While I allow the fallen ones to roam free, we'll be looking for her from a living being's point of view." He returned his attention to the city below. "The only clue we have of her identity is that she's currently living as a high school student just like Shiro did."

"We're going to be walking this land as living beings, huh? Then, it's safe to say that you have found a way to do that without the use of The Great Guardian's powers?"

"Yes."

"I see," Gray replied. "Speaking about the heavenly guardian, I heard you encountered with him a while ago."

"That's correct."

"Did you manage to get rid of him?"

"Well, he hasn't interfered with my plans over the past week."

"Then, I'm guessing it's a yes."

"...Possibly."

"Kyo-sama!"

The two guardians turned around to see the blue winged guardian appear in their presence. Gray said, "Well, somebody here turned into one crispy fried guardian chicken."

Aoi shot him the glare. "Shut up Gray, I was only going easy on a certain guardian I met up with today."

"Hn, is it Kuro?"

He shook his head. "No, it's Shiro."

At that moment, the news sparked Kyo's interest. "Shi-ro?"

The blue winged guardian placed a hand on his hip. He turned his head to the side and let out a hiss. "Damn, the next time I see him, I'll make sure to render him flightless."

Kyo then turned to Aoi and asked, "You just fought with the heavenly guardian?"

He turned to the other guardian. "Yes sir."

"Oh dear, that's not good," Gray said. "Then, what I said before was wrong. Shiro survived the attack during your last encounter with him, Kyo-san."

The dark winged guardian let out a grin in which the two others noticed. The blue winged guardian asked, "You're not upset, sir?"

"How can I be upset when I just found out that the heavenly guardian can still live from one of my attacks? He really is called the heavenly guardian for a valid reason."

Gray asked, "Hn, is that so? What are you going to do about it?"

He turned to the taller guardian and replied, "I think you know without having me to explain it."

The gray winged guardian too grinned with great anticipation. "In that case, let the game of hide and seek begin."

Japanese World Translations

Shiro - White; Toshiro's name as the heavenly guardian, Hai - Yes, Kyo - Bad Luck; a guardian's name, Kuro - Black; the guardian of darkness's name, Obaa-san - Grandmother, Arigato - Thank You, Ja ne - Good Bye (informal/casual)

Author's Note: Kyo makes another appearance along with the revelation of one of the fallen ones, Guardian Aoi, and the mysterious Gray. What is going to happen next? Well, you just have to stay tuned and find out in my next update. Please review! Thanks.