Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update!

I have my reasoning at the end, so you'll get your answers.

I still don't own bullshit, which pisses me off even more once you read the author's note at the end.

Anyways, I won't keep you any long. Read and Review, my lovelies!

Chapter 11: A New Theory and New Arrivals

Toshiro was completely unfazed with the goose bump-inducing chill that surrounded him in his inner world. A fierce blizzard was roaring away and drifts of white snow seemed to latch onto his spiky locks.

Hyourinmaru was standing, leaning patiently against a mountain of ice; his tail was sweeping away the icy shards that clung to the tips of his sea green hair. The ice mantle he usually wore was nowhere in sight.

"Hyourinmaru?" Toshiro was quick to work his way through the snow, meeting up with his lifelong partner in the shade of the glacial mountain.

For a few agonizingly long moments, Hyourinmaru did not speak; his cool gaze seemed cloudy and deep in thought.

"Hyourinmaru, speak to me about the thoughts that trouble you," Toshiro spoke again, his deep baritone and the warm puffs of breath turning into a fine mist as they left his mouth. Another moment passed before Hyourinmaru opened his mouth to speak.

"Master… This thought has troubled me, but is it possible for… wizards to wield Zanpakutou, such as myself?" The ice dragon's steely gaze locked in on his wielder, and though he didn't need to tilt his gaze as low to meet Toshiro's gaze, there was still about a foot in their height difference.

The thought had never occurred to Toshiro, which was why the question caught him off guard. Granted, the English wizards do have spiritual pressure, but he didn't think it was enough to sustain a connection with another entity within themselves, weak or not.

"It may be possible under certain circumstances, but I do not think that every single wizard would be able to wield one," Toushirou responded. "Only a few had shown true potential in wielding a Zanpakutou, but I do not doubt that it would take many centuries for the wizards to understand this. Unlike us, they do not have centuries of time to dwell on this matter, like us Shinigami." He let a 'whoosh' of breath out. Hyourinmaru seemed to ponder his young master's words.

"Very well, your words put me at ease. The thought that anyone other than a soul-based organism can wield and control Zanpakutou who could quite possibly have the capability to oppose the Gotei 13 disturbs me," the dragon murmured softly. He swung his tail again through the snow; his talon-like feet were about three inches deep in the soft snow.

"If the English could broaden their knowledge on magic and did not strictly rely on magic that tips the scale towards the Lighter side, I would not doubt their power would increase tenfold, as well as their spiritual pressure," Toshiro conceded, shaking his hair to get rid of the frost that was beginning to accumulate there. Hyourinmaru seemed to hum in thought for a moment, contemplating the little Shinigami's words. He was known, after all, as a prodigy.

"Point taken, Master. Now, if I am not mistaken, you are needed in the awakened world," Hyourinmaru rumbled lowly, watching with a lidded gaze at the swirling mass of white that surrounded them. Toshiro made a small sound in the back of his throat and bid the dragon farewell before returning to his senses.

He didn't open his eyes the moment he gathered his wits about him. First, he listened closely and heard the very quiet shuffle of light footsteps. He caught the hint of deep breathing, which indicated that a number of students were still deep within themselves, or attempting to search themselves.

At last, he opened his teal gaze and slowly scanned the room without moving his head or changing his breathing pattern. Should the enemy be near, they would not realize he was awake and aware of his surroundings. Long days of training and being rudely awakened by the previous Captain Kurosaki of the Tenth Division had taught him a very valuable lesson.

Several students were grouped together in the far corner, seated just where the trap door to the training room was located. Hyerin was speaking to them in a soft voice, and Toshiro could not make out the words she said. Several eyes flickered in his direction but their gazes were immediately diverted when they realized he was now awake.

In a smooth motion, he rolled himself up from his seated position and strode over to the cluster of students. It seemed they were discussing the events that took place before they reached their inner world. It was a test their souls would set up, to prove to them that they were strong enough and capable of going through whatever their minds placed in front of them to reach their base worlds.

"It was like I was in a foggy field. I could see about six inches in any direction, yet whenever I traveled, nothing would show itself." Harry was speaking quietly, his emerald eyes trained on his admittedly attractive teacher and fellow classmates. Hyerin simply nodded curtly before gesturing for him to continue, a steaming cup of tea situated on a small table next to her. The majority of the group was drinking an orange colored liquid that smelled strongly of pumpkins. Another cup of green tea was left untouched on the platter.

Sensing the cup of tea was his, Toshiro picked it up and walked silently to where Hyerin was sitting and stood behind her seat, leaning slightly on the cool stone wall.

"We have matters to discuss," Toshiro intoned quietly in Japanese, taking a sip of the steaming liquid. Her head dipped minutely, but it was enough to show that she heard him and was aware of his statement and its urgency.

"I was getting so sick of these mind games; every direction I walked in, there was always more fog!" The hint of frustration in Harry's voice was evident. "I could just feel this white hot anger about not being able to figure out where I was, so I screamed at the top of my lungs and said 'ENOUGH!' Then, the fog disappeared and I saw this… this world of mountains and a lake in the middle of it. In fact, I'm pretty sure I saw a place similar to it when I rode Buckbeak last year." Harry added, taking a gulp of his pumpkin juice. Again, Hyerin nodded.

"It's normal for the mind to play tricks on you. It's a defense mechanism as well as a test to prove to yourself that you can handle everything that goes on in your mind. In a way, you have just achieved complete control over your body – heart, mind, and soul." Her cool voice was soothing, like the soft wash of a lake's waters on its sandy shores. If any of the students' nerves were frazzled from the experience, her voice calmed them down.

"I went through something like that as well, Harry, except I was in the woods and I was running. I saw the corpses of my dearest friends and teachers all around me. My family, you and Ron." Hermione's voice pitched slightly in her panic before Toshiro slowly released calming waves to mollify the poor girl's wits.

She took a deep breath and pushed on. "I just ran and ran, it seemed like endless circles of death and… and I just wanted it to stop! So, knowing that I was in my own self, I willed myself to go deeper, to escape from the pain. It seemed like a defense mechanism, really, like you said Professor. I just wanted it all to go away." Hermione breathed in deeply before her shoulders sagged. Toshiro was listening in on the conversation idly while sipping his tea, his mind questioning what Hyourinmaru had said earlier.

'They can reach their base worlds, it is possible. However, their reiatsu levels are still pitifully weak. An unseated officer would have no trouble obliterating this entire school if they wanted to. The problem with these wizards isn't that they aren't powerful…'

Sudden realization dawned in Toshiro's mind.

'…They just need to be trained.'

~oOo~

It had been several days since the first Kido lesson. Seeing as it had been successful, both Hyerin and Toshiro were busy planning the next lesson and outlining what would eventually become the lesson plans for the Weaponry Combat class.

Said Shinigami were both currently in the classroom, letting a cold breeze sweep through the opening. Toshiro was leaning against the back stone wall, his eyes closed and his arms crossed; an untouched cup of tea sat on a small table next to him.

Hyerin was perched lightly on the cherry wood desk, her ebony locks swept elegantly into a chic slipknot at the base of her creamy neck. The steaming cup of tea next to her also lay untouched.

"What is it that you wish to speak with me so urgently about?" She finally raised her sterling gaze to look at his solitary figure. A small voice in her head voiced its opinion on his look. Indeed he looked extremely attractive in a pair of black slacks and a white button down shirt; the school tie that he usually wore was loosened and hung around his neck as more of an accessory rather than a part of a uniform.

It was questionable as to why he was dressed in the mundane version of formal wear, but Hyerin didn't voice her curiosity on that matter.

"The night of the first Kido lesson, Hyourinmaru brought up a valuable point during the conversation I had." He was speaking softly, the silky smooth voice was pitched lower than usual, and the words were almost coming out in a growl.

"And this point would happen to involve us?" Hyerin questioned, finally picking up her cup and taking a sip of the delicious drink. Toshiro let out a soft breath, causing the one strand that fell across his handsome face to stir gently.

"Is it possible for wizards to wield Zanpakutou when their reiatsu levels are at a level that even an unseated officer could beat them?"

Hyerin blinked in surprise. Truth be told, the thought hadn't crossed her mind in any way since her arrival to this school. "The real question is: would they be able to sustain another entity within themselves, even if the being is born from them, without falling into a mindless void?" Hyerin replied, leveling her gaze at the ice wielder that had now strode across the room to stand in front of her.

Toshiro nodded at her words, contemplating them. If her words were true, she believed that the wizards' souls – seeing as they were still alive – could not be divided to take on the stress that came with another piece of themselves being personified in their minds. The wizards' souls would be formatted for that if they died, but currently they were only responsible for one being: themselves. Should another entity be born within them and the soul's attention be divided, Hyerin believed they would fall into a mindless void. In simpler terms, the birth of a Zanpakutou in their current state would cause their souls to implode within them.

"Very well, I merely needed your input on this theory. If I'm correct, the rest of the school is awaiting the delegates from the other schools on the west shore of the lake. We should get going," Toshiro murmured softly, his body already doing an action he personally would never expect himself to do.

Hyerin took his proffered hand and gracefully leaped down from her perch on the desk, landing softly on the ground in front of him.

"It would be best if you changed either into the school's robes, your shihakusho, or the combat robes that we purchased. I personally will be wearing the combat robes." Hyerin had taken her hair out of the slipknot and was currently running her fingers through the fine threads.

Toshiro nodded, grabbed the suit jacket that he had placed on the desk, and stepped out of the room in order to shunpo to the dorm to get dressed for the welcoming of the other competitors.

Hyerin stared after him for a moment and took a quick glance at her hand. Her skin tingled with a newfound energy. A small smile tipped her lips before she took off for her room.

~oOo~

Dumbledore had gathered the students from his beloved school to stand on the sandy banks of the black lake. He stood in front of them, a cold breeze ruffling his grey beard.

"I'm sure all of you are wondering why you are all gathered here." A murmur of assent rose through the crowd of students, teeming with first years who all wore curious expression. "We are awaiting the arrival of the delegates from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang." Gasps followed through the crowd this time, accompanied by the soft squeal of a girl at the thought of the handsome students at the all-boys academy.

Just as he began to quiet his students, the soft sound of neighing horses filled his ears. A glance up at the sky confirmed his suspicions. "And we have the delegates from… Beauxbaton!"

The massive carriage was being lugged by horses of a monstrous scale. The shimmering coats of the mighty beasts shone brightly, detailing that these horses were very well taken care of.

As soon as the carriage landed, a boy in his early teens scrambled out, pulling a set of steps from beneath the carriage. He settled them at the door before scampering back slightly in respect.

The door opened, revealing a massive woman. By no means was she a heavy set woman – she was merely very tall and thick boned. Her burgundy-tinged hair was cut into a stylish bob and her fur coat stirred slightly in the cold air.

Toshiro, who was standing idly on the roof, was slightly taken aback. The woman was very large, quite possible the same height as Zaraki Kenpachi.

Hyerin was also situated near him, her crimson combat robes billowing behind her.

A flurry of females strutted out of the carriage door, their blue uniforms offering little to no protection against the cold English air.

"Dumbly-dorr! I 'ope I find you vell?" The large woman's voice was surprisingly deep. She offered a hand to the old headmaster, who took it and gently laid his lips to the pale skin.

"My dear Madam Maxime, Welcome to Hogwarts." Madam Maxime simply giggled deeply before pulling her hand away.

"As Karkaroff arrived yet?" Madam Maxime inquired, pulling her fur coat more tightly around her.

"He should be here any minute. Would you like to wait here and greet him or head inside to warm up?" Dumbledore graciously offered the option of choosing.

"Warm up, I zink." Madam Maxime nodded. "But ze 'orses…"

"Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher would be more than delighted to watch over these fine creatures.," Dumbledore answered serenely, gesturing with a hand for Hagrid to step forward. Madam Maxime nodded in approval.

"Do tell him zat ze 'orses only drink single malt vhiskey," Madam Maxime requested before leading her students up the grand staircase and through the door where a warm atmosphere and hot food would be served.

"Madam Maxime, there are a few people I would like you to meet. Two Japanese delegates are here on behalf of their country to teach a year of their magic in return for a year of ours. I would like you to meet Professor Toshiro Hitsugaya and Hyerin Choi." Dumbledore gestured to the crowd, not knowing that both figures were perched a few hundred feet above them on the spires of the great castle.

Toshiro's frown deepened slightly when the headmaster did not put surnames before his actual name. Nonetheless, he nodded for Hyerin to follow him and used a brief sequence of shunpo-powered leaps to get on the ground.

With a swish of his crimson combat robes, he was left standing in front of the massive woman, Hyerin a half step behind him.

"Good evening, Madam." Toshiro inclined his head politely in a semi-formal bow. Hyerin simply nodded at the woman, not feeling up for formalities.

The girls from Beauxbaton swooned at the handsome, exotic man. His unruly white hair falling artistically over his sharply defined face and his piercing gaze made their knees weak. The stunning shade of teal that stared coldly back at them was mesmerizing.

Before the woman could respond to the sudden appearance of the male and his companion, the creak of old wood and rushing water pierced the silent air.

A void seemed to appear in the midst of the black lake, as though a plug had been pulled. The water rushed downward before the loud creak of wood came again, followed by a massive ship; the style appeared to be early 17th century, Toshiro guessed in his mind.

The ship churned through the waters easily, letting the wooden oars carry the massive ship to the shores of the lake.

As soon as the ship breached land, the entrance to the ship opened and a short, slender man with a coontail hat perched on his head totted out.

Toshiro kept his gaze on the man, sensing that something about him was making Hyourinmaru restless. The ice dragon felt caged, pacing in the recesses of his master's mind like a restless tiger.

"Dumbledore! How are you, my dear fellow, how are you?" Toshiro winced internally at the man's voice, though his mind was focused on the man's arm. A strange, dark reiatsu oozed off of it. The slimy mass of energy spiraled around the man's arm once before plunging back towards the flesh. Only mere moments after his arrival, and Toshiro did not like him already; the dark reiatsu only added to his suspicion.

The man had a voice that was high, but the way the man formed his words had informed Toushirou that this man was cunning and had a silver tongue.

"And who is this lovely young lady?" Karkaroff smiled toothily at Hyerin, never giving Dumbledore a chance to return his earnest greeting.

"These would be the delegates from Japan that I told you about in the letter I sent you last week. Please welcome Professor Toshiro Hitsugaya and Hyerin Choi."

Karkaroff bent to take Hyerin's hand and raise it to his lips, but Hyerin clearly had other thoughts. She deftly twisted her hand so that they only met with a brief handshake. Karkaroff seemed a bit taken aback but nodded, grinning and patting Toshiro on the back before striking a conversation with the old headmaster.

Hyerin wrinkled her face up and wiped her hand on her combat robes.

"Disgusting, unctuous, creep," she muttered before heading inside, her robes flowing out behind her tiny form

Toshiro simply sighed but followed after the raven-haired beauty, feeling the beginning of a very long night begin to creep up on him.

~oOo~

End!

I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a while! -bows- I recently had to restart my classes and then I found out that they fucked up my schedule and had put me in a business class when I should be in my advanced engineering class. God, that class is god awful, I would rather shoot myself through the head than take that class. Unfortunately, because my counselor is a stupid whore who needs to learn to stop kissing ass to the fucking dean, I can't get out of that class. I'm stuck in a fucking business class for the rest of the year. -jumps off a cliff-

So, I'm super sorry about the late update! Please forgive me, and I will TRY to update soon, but NO GUARENTEES!

Ja ne!

SimplyFalling