Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Bleach series in any way. All copyrights go to Tite Kubo. What I do own is my original character, Takeshi Fujikage.

Author's Note: Hey everyone! Here's another update of this story from me! Thank you MoonLightView, serenity095, icyangel27, Evertale, k a y - t h i, toshiko-san21, xCadence, loriakari, applestoapples, KnowledgeandImagination, athfdrizzle, superattackpea, and Leo's Katanas for your wonderful reviews! Without any further adieu, here is chapter ten. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking." Flash Back.

Forget Me Not

Chapter Ten: Observation

Mastumoto patiently waited in the hallway outside of the rooms in the Fourth Division Headquarters for her captain's check up to be done. She let out a sigh. It has been over an hour since Captain Retsu Unohana went into the room. "Rangiku-san," said a voice.

When she turned her head to the side, she noticed the fifth division lieutenant in her presence. "Hinamori, what brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be looking after your division?"

She nodded with agreement. "Yes, I finished my paperwork. I just came here to see how Hitsugaya-kun is doing."

"Well, he hasn't come out yet."

"I see."

After a brief moment of silence, the strawberry orange haired woman let out an almost suppressed laugh. Momo noticed the change in her behaviour.

"What's so funny?"

Suddenly, she leaned over, grinning at the raven haired girl. "Like I said many times before, the only reason you worry about him is because you lov-"

"Mou Rangiku-san, that's enough. Even though I do have feelings for him in that sense, he doesn't feel the same way."

"Are you blind? He totally has an interest in you!"

"I can see that, but that's not coming from the Hitsugaya-kun. He's not the same person whom that I grew up with," Hinamori said. "It's coming from him, who currently doesn't remember anything."

Matsumoto closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Shortly after, she slowly exhaled. When she reopened her pale blue orbs, the tenth division lieutenant explained, "Yeah, you treat him as if he's two different people. However, there's only one of him."

She let out a smile. "If you convey your words and actions properly, he will notice and return those feelings likewise whether he does have amnesia or not. I'll tell you this much; he cares about you very dearly."

"Rangiku-san..."

All of a sudden, she threw her arms together behind her neck and said out loud, "Well, that's the theory I believe. It's up to you to take my word or not."

"I see..."

"Either way, my suggestion is to be yourself and continue to guide him through the rough times."

Momo then cracked a smile. "Thanks Rangiku-san, I...sort of needed that pep talk."

She smiled back. "No problem, Hinamori."

"Alright, your check up is over." Inside the room, the white haired Soul Reaper have just finished getting his health checked by the braided haired captain. As she is putting away her medical tools, Toshiro used this time to stand up and put his arms into his kimono sleeves. After draping the upper piece of clothing back on his shoulders, he straightened his robes and put on his haori. Just as he was about to walk over to the door, Unohana call out to him, "Hitsugaya, you're not done yet."

He stopped and glanced to see the older Soul Reaper waiting. Without any reason to go against her, he walked back and took his seat on the hospital bed. He asked, "Is there something else wrong with me aside from having amnesia?"

"No, there's nothing wrong with you," she replied. "You're just as healthy and fit like any other person in the Gotei 13."

The tenth division Shinigami closed his eyes and let out a relieved sigh. He reopened his eyes and replied, "I see; that's good to hear."

"However, I did discover something and it has something to do with your amnesia case."

As Retsu leaned over to him, Toshiro leaned back in response to feeling uncomfortable. "W-What is it?"

With one serious look at the younger Soul Reaper, she let out a smile and leaned back. "Some of your memories have returned to you, am I correct?"

In response to her question, the white haired male turned his eyes away from the older captain. He whispered, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Noticing from his gestures, he is not telling the truth. "Hitsugaya, is there any particular reason you're not telling the truth?"

"It's the enemy."

Those are the words he wanted to say, but he knew better. It is possible that the enemy is keeping a close eye on his words and actions right now.

For the next few moments, the two captains were silent. After reading the glimmer of seriousness in his eyes, she let out a sigh. The braided haired woman drew back from the tenth division captain and turned around. "Never mind what I said before; you may leave now."

"Are you sure?" Toshiro asked.

Glancing over her shoulder, she let out a smile. "If I were to continue to demand answers from you, there is a chance that it will hinder your recovery."

"I see."

"Now, run along outside; Rangiku and Momo are waiting for you."

"Hinamori is here too?"

She nodded with agreement. "She must have been worried about you."

He tilted his head forward. "Yeah, that is to be expected from her."

"Now, go see them."

With a nod of agreement, Toshiro got off the bed. Just as he walked by the fourth division captain, he whispered a thank you before walking out the door. Once he is gone, Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu, who has been in the room the whole time, turned to her captain and asked, "What do you plan to do with this case? If Hitsugaya-taicho doesn't get his memories back soon, he will have to step down from his position."

"There is no need to worry about him, Isane," Retsu replied. "He's doing just fine."

Her words left the taller Soul Reaper puzzled. What could she mean by those words?

"Hey taicho, how is the check up?" Matsumoto asked once the female Shinigami saw him come out of the room. "What did Unohana-taicho say?"

After joining up with them, the white haired captain of the tenth division answered, "She said that I'm physically normal."

What about your mental condition?" Hinamori further questioned.

Once he made eye contact with her, he lowered his head and lied, "It hasn't gotten any better."

"Oh..."

If there is one thing he hated doing, it would be lying especially to people he has a close relationship with. Despite being aware that his relationship with the fifth division lieutenant will change, he will do so to protect her. "I'm sorry."

"I told you already; there is no need to be sorry. Besides, it's not your fault that things happen the way they are."

"But I can't help it; I feel responsible for this mess."

Momo placed a hand on his shoulder. After getting his undivided attention, she gave him a soft smile. "Don't worry about that stuff; right now, you just need to act the way you are. Hopefully, your memories will come back to you naturally."

"I hope so too; I don't want to keep you worried."

Then, she removed her hand from his shoulder and placed it on his head. She ruffled through his snowy white hair and said, "You're so sweet, Shiro-chan."

He instinctively wanted to flick that her hand away from his head and tell her to stop doing that. However, his actions might tell them that his memories have returned to him. As a result, he might not be able to roam around under the radar as freely as he wanted to.

"Well, let's get going," Rangiku said before she started walking.

As the childhood friends followed the tenth division lieutenant through the hallway, Hinamori asked, "What do you plan on doing now?"

The strawberry orange haired woman crossed her arms over her chest and took a moment to think. "Normally, around this time, taicho would be scolding me for arriving late to work. However, since he currently has amnesia, he won't do that."

Hitsugaya's eye twitched. "If the enemy isn't spying on me, then I would be happy to burst that happy bubble of yours."

"Let's go somewhere together, Hinamori."

"But Rangiku-san, we have to go back to looking after our divisions," Momo pointed out.

"I know, but why not use the time we have now to show Hitsugaya-taicho around Seireitei?" she suggested. "Maybe that might help him remember something."

After a moment of thinking, she nodded with agreement. "Okay, let's go!"

"Now, that's the spirit!"

Just as they were on their way, Vice-Captain Nemu Kurotsuchi appeared in their presence.

"Nemu, what brings you here?"

"Mayuri-sama requests that you allow me to bring Hitsugaya-taicho to him," she replied.

"Eh, why?"

"He would like to take a closer look at his condition."

"He just had his check up with Unohana-taicho," Rangiku explained. "There is no need for him to seek further treatment."

"Kurotsuchi..."

Wondering who might the person be, Toshiro stuff his hand into his pants pocket and touched two of the three forget me not (1) flower petals. Soon, two images came into mind.

"Hey Toshiro," Kusaka said upon sitting next to his rival under the cherry blossom tree. "Which division you think you're going to be in once we graduate?"

Putting down his book on his lap, Hitsugaya took a moment to think. "Hn, it doesn't really matter which division I go in. Either way, they would be glad to have someone like me working in their division."

Sojiro let out a chuckle. "I suppose you're right about that; you are a genius."

"What about you?"

"I'm actually not quite sure, but I think it would be awesome if we both ended up in the same division."

Hitsugaya then let out a smile. It would be nice to have a familiar face to hang out with. Shortly, he notice his friend is holding a bunch of pamphlets. "What are you holding, Kusaka?"

The dark haired academy student held the pamphlets up for the younger student to see. "These? Oh, they're recruitment brochures (2) I got from visiting Shinigami from each of the divisions."

"Why do they need to give out brochures when we are personally selected by the high ranking Soul Reapers?"

Sojiro merely shrugged his shoulders. "I really have no idea."

Kusaka handed his friend a few pamphlets for him to scroll through. After skimming through one of them, he raised an eyebrow and read out loud, "Now this is information I don't know; the fourth division specializes in healing."

"For sure, I won't be going to that division. I prefer to be involved with fighting Hollows."

He read another pamphlet. "The Special Ops division...they specialize in assassination, right?"

"Yeah, they mainly focus on hakuda opposed to zanjutsu."

"I see."

"Come to think of it, don't you want to be in the same division as that girl you grew u-"

"I'm not going to the fifth division," he quickly replied.

"So you do have a preference after all. Why not?"

"I just don't want to, that's all."

Sojiro then let out a defeated sigh. "Alright then, I won't ask you any further about it."

Toshiro scrolled through another pamphlet. "The twelfth division specializes in research and technology."

"Yeah, it was newly added over the past few decades."

They traded pamphlets. "The tenth division..."

"I heard that division is without a captain nor a vice-captain for the longest time," Kusaka explained. "It has only been recently that Yamamoto-soitaicho has appointed a vice-captain to look after the division."

"Hn, really now?"

Suddenly, the school bell rung. "Well, what do you know? Our lunchtime is over."

After getting on their feet, the two friends stretched their arms and legs for a bit.

"Let's get to class before we get scolded by the teacher."

Hitsugaya nodded with agreement. "Yeah..."

He opened the large doors into the first division barracks only to find there is no one inside. Newly appointed tenth division captain, Toshiro Hitsugaya took a deep breath and let out a sigh. "Maybe I should have waited a little longer before coming here."

Toshiro walked deeper into the large room, looking around.

"It seems like I'm the first one to arrive."

"Ara, what do we have here?" asked a voice. Recognizing who it is coming from, the white haired Soul Reaper half turned his body to see the grinning third division captain, Gin Ichimaru, in his presence. His eyes narrowed with suspicion. Out of all people, why does he have to be the next one to come? "Hitsugaya-kun, what brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be in the tenth division following Rangiku's orders and not cos-playing here? You do understand you can get arrested for impersonating as a captain."

Just as Toshiro is about to say something, another voice interrupted, "Daijobou Gin; Hitsugaya wouldn't do such a thing like that. Besides, he is the new captain that will be joining us from this day on."

"Really now, Kyoraku?"

The straw hat Soul Reaper fixed the position of his head wear with a finger and a thumb. Letting out a canny smirk, he replied to the gray haired captain, "Well, that's the rumour I heard flying around this morning. Figuring that he would be the type to arrive early, I took the extra effort to be punctual so that I can ask him myself. Judging by the way he is standing proudly with his haori on, there is no need for me to double check."

"In that case, I take my words back," Ichimaru apologized. "I'm sorry for accusing you, Hitsugaya-kun."

He stared at the still grinning older captain for a moment, not quite believing his words. Shortly after, he let out a defeated sigh and said, "It's alright, Ichimaru. I don't blame you for suspecting me of that."

"Wow Kyoraku, you managed to arrive at the meeting early."

The three captains turned to see the long white haired captain in their presence. Shunsui asked, "Why Ukitake, you're looking a lot better these days."

Jushiro let out a bright smile before replying, "Let's just hope it remains that way for a while."

He then noticed the presence of the younger white haired captain.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Hitsugaya."

With a short nod, he said, "Arigato..."

"We're expecting big things from you considering the great achievement you've accomplished."

"That's right," Gin agreed. "Not only you successful took my title during your days in the academy, but you have gained a new title as the youngest Shinigami ever to reach captain rank."

"Really, I didn't really notice," Toshiro said as if it's nothing.

Without any warning, Kyoraku arm hooked around his neck. After pulling him close, the flamboyant captain said, "Don't be so modest, Hitsugaya. Of course, you knew about all this the whole time! Besides, you're quite famous in the Gotei 13."

"It's more like negative feedback rather than the positive ones," the young captain thought as he pulled away from the eighth division captain.

"Well, what's with all the commotion going on here?" asked a voice.

The division captains turned around to see several more of their peers entering the first division barracks. Ichimaru suddenly commented, "My my Aizen-taicho, you're a little tardier than usual."

"Sumi masen, but I had some minor detailed work to take care of at my headquarters before I head out to the captain's meeting here," the fifth division captain apologized.

"In other words, your work is more important than showing up to this all important meeting? You do understand that the Captain Commander is going to punish you for that."

"That's not what I meant, Gin," Sosuke said before his words are cut off by his former lieutenant's actions.

Ichimaru waved his hand out back and forth as he walked to his position. "Yeah yeah, whatever you say..."

Shortly after, the last of the captains of the Gotei 13 arrived at the meeting (including the Captain Commander) just in time for it to start. "Hn, it has been a long time since we had a full house like this?" Genryusai-Shigekuni Yamamoto commented as he walked past the newly appointed captain.

He walked between the other eleven captains, who got into their respected positions, before taking his seat in the center on the other side of the room.

"Ever since the demise of the previous captain, the tenth division has been running without a leader. Now, we can leave the past behind us for a new successor has been chosen. Under recommendation by several captains in this room, I have granted him permission to take the captain's proficiency test. After personally watching his physical and mental prowess alongside with three additional captains, he is deemed worthy to be promoted."

Yamamoto raised his head to take a better look at the white haired captain, who is standing on the other side of the room.

"The man standing before us, former third seat of the tenth division, Toshiro Hitsugaya is now recognized as the new tenth division captain."

With a short bow, Hitsugaya said, "It's a pleasure to be working with you all."

"Now that is all done, let's move onto today's agenda..."

When Hitsugaya came back to himself, he let out a defeated sigh. "Well, I guess it can't be helped the way things are. I can't control what memories I want return to me."

All of a sudden, a Hell Butterfly came fluttering around him. Once the insect made physical contact with his shoulder, he let out a short yell. Startled by his voice, the butterfly flew off as he ran and hid behind his childhood friend. Noticing his fearful behaviour, Momo looked over her shoulder and asked, "What's wrong, Shiro-chan?"

Toshiro shakily pointed at the flying insect. "What is that thing?"

Hinamori looked at what he's pointing at and realized it. "It's a Hell Butterfly."

"I wonder who sent it," Matsumoto said as Momo extended a finger out for it to land on.

After a few moments of silence, the butterfly flew away. Turning to the strawberry orange haired woman, she said, "Yamamoto-soitaicho requests that Hitsugaya-kun comes to the captain's meeting."

"No way, he has amnesia right now! How can he fulfill his duties in that state?"

As the two vice-captains continued talking, they didn't realize Nemu has already taken the liberty to carry the white haired captain in bridal style. Just as he is about to protect, she has already shunpo away with him. "Oi, w-where are you taking me?"

She simply replied, "I'm taking you to Mayuri-sama, Hitsugaya-taicho. He is currently waiting for your arrival at the first division barracks with the other captains."

"Oh...okay," he said. "Um Kurotsuchi, can you please not carry me like this?"

"If I let you run on your own, we would be late."

Hitsugaya soon let out a defeated sigh. "Fine, but before we meet with the other captains, please save me from getting embarrassed and put me down."

"I understand."

"Thank you."

Japanese Word Translations and References

Haori - Kimono jacket, Gotei 13 - The Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Shinigami - Soul Reaper, Taicho - Captain, Hakuda - Hand-to-Hand Combat, Zanjutsu - Sword Arts, Soitaicho - Captain Commander, Daijobou - It's alright, Arigato - Thank you, Sumi masen - Excuse me, Shunpo - Flash Step

(1) The Forget me Not's flower meanings are hope, remembrance, memories, and true love.

(2) Yes, the Gotei 13 divisions give out recruitment brochures to potential graduates from the academy. You can read more about them on Bleach Wiki.

Author's Note: Hn, Unohana is aware of Toshiro's recovery. What about the other captains? Well, you just have to wait patiently and find out in chapter eleven. Please review! Thanks.