A/N: I am horribly sorry for the slow updates. It seems that courses are proving to be harder than I thought. From here I am going to be starting my storyline, which includes made-up pieces which I hope you will all understand and forgive me for. I am not usually one to go out of the story's boundaries, but to spice things up I felt that adding my own element to Bleach would give it a nice, original outlook. : ) It may be confusing at first, but don't think too hard – just read carefully and try to understand it as much as possible, there will be further info revealed later on, and don't worry After all this serious-ness is over with, there will of course, be fluff between Yuuki/Hitsugaya. Thanks so much for your reviews guys, I really appreciate it! Remember to review, because I really want to hear your opinions on this direction I'm taking… good, bad, confusing? Let me know!

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There was a loud slap on the table as Kenpachi slammed a hand against it. "This is ridiculous!" He shouted, nearly overturning his chair as he stood, Yachiru swaying uneasily on top of his shoulder.

"Captain Kenpachi, I advise you to calm down…" The Commander-General stated with a hint of disdain in his tone.

Hitsugaya observed the scene before him, feeling sick. He had arrived late, something he hated. He turned his head to glance at the screen set out before them; he could barely register what was going on – and why Yuuki's picture was exposed for all to see. He had only caught bits and pieces of the conversation before he had entered; he had felt the Captains' automatically turn to him with a pitying gaze. He had avoided them but almost immediately noticed that Captain Unohana's seat remained empty.

"That little girl couldn't even take care of herself against some weaklings! You expect her to become a shinigami?!"

"Now, now… she was found in District 80, and from what I recall, you did grow up there…"

"The better question would be why Captain Kenpachi was there in the first place?"

"… why the hell do you think I went? I went for some damn entertainment, I had this feeling something interesting was gonna happen, you know?"

He only half listened. Everything was happening at once, too fast. It was true, he had always wanted to find her, and he had hoped everyday that he would at least catch a glimpse of her. The prospect of turning Yuuki into a shinigami had been brought up by the Commander-General, who, normally had no doubts about his direction, and Hitsugaya was sure that even now, he didn't. It had caused an uproar, a rare occurrence, in the normally calm demeanor of the Captains. It hurt his ears to listen to the constant yelling, as Kenpachi and Soifon argued with each other. He wondered why Yamamoto was doing nothing, and yet he still couldn't understand why he hadn't been informed.

"Silence!" The Commander-General's raspy voice boomed, instantly causing a stillness to settle in the air and effectively shutting up the arguing amongst the Captains.

Hitsugaya sat there, staring blankly at the screen, a sudden overwhelming of emotions taking over. He swallowed, his mouth dry and parched. He didn't know how to react, or what to do, but found himself speaking anyway. "Why wasn't I informed?"

There was a dull silence as the Captains stared onwards.

Nobody seemed to know how to reply.

"It was high priority to get Yuuki evacuated from the area." Yamamoto explained firmly. "It is in my belief that I could not risk anything, for her safety."

"Risk?" Hitsugaya questioned, seething. "What kind of risk is there? From what I know of, you should have been aware of my daily trips to Rukongai…"

"I am also aware you never stepped foot in District 80."

Hitsugaya shut his mouth awkwardly, caught off guard. It was true; he never had because he never even imagined her there. She was too good of a person to end up in the worst of the districts. If he had known this was going to happen, he would have given anything to prevent this.

"Now that we're all settled." Yamamoto stated with a low sigh. "I would like to continue this discussion in a civilized manner. There is something of great importance that you must all be informed about."

With a distinct click, the screen changed, and he continued. "It was noticed by the research and communications division that something bizarre occurred during the final battle."

Hitsugaya could feel his stomach twist in knots as he heard those words. He stood, his chair screeching loudly against the floor. He couldn't watch this. He couldn't.

"Captain, please sit down." The Commander-General instructed, and then added, "I assure you, you will want to know about this – otherwise you can leave but do not have disputes because I did not inform you. This is your only chance."

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and understood almost immediately that it was Matsumoto. With a low sigh, he reinstated himself in his seat, shifting uncomfortably. Ever so slowly, he turned his head to the screen whilst mentally preparing himself. He recognized the scene with impeccable remembrance, registering it as the park where she had been killed. His hands subconsciously balled into fists, biting his lip as it began to play. He forced himself to watch, but didn't pay full attention. After a few moments of silence, he heard a number of his subordinates gasp in surprise. Frowning, he focused his attention back to the screen. What had been so surprising?

"Did she just…?" Soifon questioned, mouth open in surprise.

"I believe she did." Byakuya answered with slight intrigue.

"No fuckin' way." Kenpachi countered. "How the hell could she did that?"

"That appears to be the mystery." The Commander-General answered, readjusting his robes. "I've conducted extensive research and nothing seems to match up – except for one theory that Captain Ukitake suggested."

"I'm sorry, what 's going on?" Hitsugaya broke in.

"She flashstepped." Mayuri answered, his eyes wide. "Amazing. Simply amazing. The first time I've seen a human capable of such."

He felt his whole body go numb at his words, instantly replaying that night. It had bothered him for days – the simple fact that it had been impossible for Yuuki to jump in front of him at such a quick speed. He had analyzed and reanalyzed the situation, considering each possibility and even scenario changes that he may have not noticed. It had never occurred to him that she would have flashstepped. The idea of it was ridiculous and unheard of. He had only come to one conclusion that it had been his fault, that perhaps he had misjudged the timing or that if he had been able to fight consistently with his left hand instead of his right, he would have somehow been able to defeat them. He closed his eyes, curious and frightened at the same time – what could have happened, really?

"I believe that she is perhaps a reincarnation." Jushirou Ukitake started as if reading Hitsugaya's thoughts.

A hush fell over the Captains, the Vice's leaning in to hear more.

"Reincarnation of what?" Komamura asked.

"As all of you know, there have been a time where one or more Shinigami were born with an intense reiatsu, strong enough to cut through or take over others'. These people were specialized to their strengths, which have always been for defencive purposes. Their primary role in Soul Society appeared to be the ultimate defence, a perfect comrade whereby they were placed in the most important role as the King's Guard." Ukitake spoke slowly, allowing everybody to absorb the information.

"Weren't the remaining Guards killed?" Shunsei questioned with slight amusement at the sudden news..

"Yes, but I believe that we have been sent a gift." Yamamoto answered. "The timing couldn't be more perfect. Aizen and his Arrancar are no doubt planning to overthrow the King …"

"You're going to use her? The only reason you went and looked for her was so you could use her for this?" Hitsugaya interrupted, seething. The idea was absurd, ridiculous. There was no way Yuuki was one of them. "How do you know if she's one of these Guards anyway?!"

"There is strong reason to believe so." Ukitake replied calmly. "Her spirit power was quite strong for a human, though nothing extraordinary. However, since her arrival to Seiretei there seems to be an obvious difference. During her recovery, her reiatsu seems to be expanding at exponential rates."

"I don't quite understand." Byakuya ventured. "If she is to be used for defence, why would she attend the academy? What is this 'power' she posseses?"

"Her power is unique, but it is also unstable." The Commander General answered, clicking the screen to another scene of the battle. "This will be even more shocking."

Hitsugaya didn't even bother to watch, he turned away and attempted to block out the visual images he was making to the sounds he heard. Swords clashing, people shouting. It was too horrible.

Matsumoto rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. It was no easier for her than it was for him.

"Isn't that Ichimaru Gin?" Komamaru growled.

There was a murmur of discussion, and a slight gasp as the Captains continued to watch the battle unfold.

"As you can see here, Vice Captain Matsumoto is able to cut through Gin's sword." Yamamoto pointed out.

Matsumoto remembered clearly. The strange feeling she had had as soon as she had made contact with his sword for a split second before she had been able to cut through it. She also remembered his expression, shock and fury as he had shouted profanities aimed toward Yuuki.

"That is their power, her power." He answered with a grim expression. "When a zanpakuto comes in contact with their flesh, a certain anomaly occurs where the spirit power is considerably weakened."

Hitsugaya listened in silence, feeling even worse than before. Something about Yuuki getting cut up was not something he wanted to happen.

"That is remarkable." Mayuri whispered, tapping his fingers along the table. "Her blood produces some kind of weakening enzyme? Perhaps I can experiment on her, if we can recreate this special enzyme; we could create an elite race of Shinigami. What about her zanpakuto capabilities?"

There was a hiss of disapproval from Hitsugaya as Mayuri mentioned experiments on Yuuki. He had never liked him, and he would never allow him to do anything like that.

"The previous Guards were poorly examined, but as far as records tell; none of them possess a zanpakuto."

"Then how is she going to fight?" Hitsugaya asked. "Are you telling me that she has to get cut up in order to defend herself? By weaking herself and her enemy as some kind of… defence?"

"There was one report that I found interesting." Yamamoto spoke clearly. "One of the shinigami in the research division claimed that these special people had simply fused with their zanpakuto to receive such intense reiatsu. In essence, they are their own. As grotesque as it may be, the severity of the wound increased the weakening of reiatsu. When compared to a zanpakuto, she would consistently be in shikai – as for her bankai… that could be comparable to her death."

Warning signals alarmed in Hitsugaya's head. Death? "Death?" He voiced his thoughts, feeling very insecure. "What do you mean death?!"

"When a Guard dies by the sword of another Shinigami, their zanpakuto becomes irreparable. In respect, that is their absolute defence."

"