They were both dreading when they would arrive back at his office. Because it would mean that they needed to talk.

Chapter 11

Intimidating Rules

The two shinigami stepped into the tenth division office without talking, both deeply in thought about what would happen next. Hitsugaya started speaking right after he sat down on the couch that was typically occupied by the body of his useless vice captain. "So. Rules. There are 5 main rules that are serious offences. If you break any of these, you could face execution." He stood up and walked over to his desk to grab a sheet of paper. He also took a pen on his way back to his seat. The tenth division captain began to write down the rules.

Major Rules of Seireitei

1) Obey the Captain Commander

2) Have no romantic relationships

3) Giving your power to another being

4) Committing large crimes

5) Killing living spirits

If you have broken any of these rules, you may be faced with execution decided by Central 46.

"So those are the main rules, but there are smaller ones that aren't as major, and they don't have as big of a punishment. It seems like a very strict society, revolving around ridiculous rules and such, but honestly, don't do anything bad and it will all be fine," he reassured.

"Which have you broken?" Before it slipped out, she realized what a personal question it was. She kept imagining her own Hitsugaya Toushirou, not this one that didn't know of her. She immediately began to fix her previous mistake. "If it is a too personal question, you don't need to-" Before Kasumi could finish Hitsugaya interrupted.

"No, it is fine. I had once started a relationship with Kurosaki Ichigo's sister, Karin. We started off as friends, then it turned into something more. We both realized that it was impossible to be together so we broke it off." Kasumi gasped, astounded at the information she had just learned. It was the first she ever heard of it. Back in her own time, he had never told her this tiny bit of news. A captain of the Gotei 13 had been in a relationship with a human? Before she could put any more thought into it, Hitsugaya once again interrupted. "But that's not it. I've also broken many medium classed rules. Although that is the only major rule that I have broken." He sounded slightly disappointed in himself, but sighed it off and regained his composure.

"I'm sure you've heard of all major events before Aizen had happen? Anyways, I with a few other captains had disobeyed the Head Captain a few times, but not enough to get punished for it. Overall I've committed quite a few crimes, but nothing too bad. About a decade ago, I almost lost my captaincy, because I left a mission. With the help of Kurosaki Ichigo-the guy you met the other day, I regained it."

Akiyama was aghast. She couldn't believe that the great prodigy of Gotei 13 and the youngest captain ever could have possibly done all of these things. Hitsugaya once again interrupted her thoughts.

"The Captain Commander wanted me to thoroughly go through every rule with you, but I'm sure you know the basics. That should be good enough; just make sure not to break any of the rules or I'm going to face the consequences. It's too boring to explain all of them, so would you like me to show you around still?"

"Not to be judgmental or anything, but aren't you disobeying the Captain right now by not teaching me all of the rules? And sure, if you would like to show me."

"Do you know how many rules there are in this book?" Hitsugaya stood up from his chair and walked over to the shelf. He kneeled down and grabbed a gigantic book out of the shelf. It was about a foot thick.

"Um….no? A lot I'm guessing?" The older shinigami gave a small laugh.

"Exactly how many do you think?" Akiyama gave some thought into it and finally replied.

"3,000?"

"Yeah I wish, if there was only 3,000 I could explain everyone to you easily, but there is actually way more than that. There more than thirteen times that many."

"How many are there?" Akiyama couldn't believe what she was hearing, or seeing. She had never seen a book as big as the one that was in front of her. It couldn't even be described as a book.

"There are 39,599 rules in this book that was published last year. The newer version is coming out after this winter. As more rules get broken everyday, the Captain Commander has them added to the book."

"Oh, wow. Well now I see why you didn't want to explain everyone to me. But, do you think I could borrow that book sometime?"

"Fine, you can borrow it as long as you want. It's not like I need or want it. It's in the rule book that each captain must have a rule book in their division office. So, ready to go?"

"Sure," Akiyama said brightly with a smile on her face.

They arrived at the 2nd division a few minutes later. "This is the 2nd division which specializes in the Onmitsukido."

For the rest of the day, both Akiyama and Hitsugaya went around Seireitei, talking and introducing Akiyama to the other captains. Akiyama had gotten along with most of the Shinigami in all the divisions.

Around sunset, both Akiyama and Hitsugaya went back to the tenth division barracks. A sudden thought popped into Akiyama's head.

"Hey, where am I sleeping tonight?" Akiyama asked, cheerfully.

"Well, you see, since you aren't ranked or anything…there isn't a room or place for you to stay. So-why don't you stay in my room for today?" Akiyama was appalled at his words.

"I can stay in the office. I wouldn't want to intrude your room or anything. I can stay on the couch for tonight-I" Before she could finish her sentence, then older shinigami had interrupted.

"No. You are the one that is visiting, and it is in the rulebook that you should get proper care. In my opinion, letting you stay in the office and sleeping on a hard couch all night isn't proper care." By how serious he sounded, Akiyama wasn't going to decline his offer.

"Alright. Will you be staying the office tonight?" Akiyama inquired.

"Yes. I am planning to at least." Hitsugaya replied, in a reserved manner.

At that precise moment, the tenth division vice captain had also decided to come back to the office. "Oh! Captain I didn't expect to see you here!" That could only have meant one thing…

"You didn't do your share of the work, did you?" There was a massive amount of anger on his face. 'How is she so composed around him…? It's so difficult to be his voice captain...' Akiyama thought.

"Hey Captain, why don't you bring your cute girlfriend out with me and we can all go together with Hinamori and everyone else to go get dinner? You haven't ate yet have you?" Matsumoto questioned.

Still, Akiyama could not absorb the relationship between Matsumoto and Hitsugaya. Even though he was her captain and in charge of her, she was still so carefree. 'He is the best captain after all...' she thought sadly to herself.

"I would love to go," Akiyama exclaimed, while smiling up to the busty vice captain. She was excited to meet the person she never got the chance to know. If she couldn't meet the one of her time, the only other option was to become friends with the Matsumoto of this time, after all.

"Yay! Alright let's go!" Before anyone could respond. She grabbed both me and Hitsugaya and dragged us away to who knows where. I heard a exasperated grunt coming from the ice captain as we left the tenth division.