The Blood Prince

Chapter 25: Deciding of Fate

They went through to the large underground cavern to friendly greetings and happy reunions but Toushiro noticed that it was only Lieutenants and captains that seemed wary of him now.

"You didn't make it public." He noted.

"If everyone knew we have had two demons in our ranks there would be mass panic." Yamamoto replied.

Toushiro nodded and a meeting of captains and lieutenants, plus Ichigo and Rukia was organised.

"Blood Prince, Daygon," Yamamoto started.

Toushiro sighed.

"You infiltrated out ranks and kept you cover for 40 years," There was an accusing tone, like the head captain still thought he was planning something, "I do not know why a demon would not have made a move by now."

"Because there's no move I want to make," Hitsugaya replied, "I know you have had dealings with my father, head captain which makes my actions hard to comprehend but understand I was created a demon not born one, by all technicalities I am not a true demon."

"It is still hard to trust you, Hitsugaya," Kuchiki came in,

"Brother…."Rukia whispered.

The boy's teal eyes narrowed.

"Demons are as they are because of a life span that has lasted eternity and will not stop," The boy snapped, "Time will not kill them so, to amuse themselves they play games. They play with mortal lives by making deals, they torture those sinful enough to be thrown into the bowels of hell,"

"What are you getting at, Hitsugaya?" Soi Fon snapped,

"I'm pointing out that I may as well be a few hours old compared to the age of my father and the other demons. I don't feel the need to play with toys to fill my life nor do I really want to torture souls." He replied, "I'm just trying to get you to understand. I'm hardly a demon."

There was a silence, so Toushiro gave a final push.

"I haven't done anything willingly that would harm the soul society," He stated.

"That brings us to the second topic," Yamamoto seemed to still be considering but they didn't have time, "As far as my knowledge goes Ichimaru is still in possession of the collar."

"He doesn't," Toushiro stated, "It was given back to Aizen and while in hell he tried to use it to get me to break the seal over hell," He reached in his pocket and pulled out said item, "Survival Protocol allowed me to take it off."

"Well that is a relief," Unohona smiled.

Toushrio looked round in the silence, he knew what was coming next,

"Aizen's reprogramming of the collar would mean if we used it on you, you would-"

"Obey you," Toushiro finished the head captain's sentence, "Yeah."

"What?" Rangiku looked over,

"You can't do that?!" Ichigo snapped.

"Daygon may not feel give into his demonic side now but there is no telling when in the future that will begin to change," Yamaoto spoke, "He was designed for destruction of the balance and as he points out it is only his age that truly stops him from being as demonic as his father."

There was a silence. The atmosphere could have been cut with a knife, some of the captains had a look of conflict at the idea, it was true that when Hitsugaya grew older he would likely become more demonic as those he cared about died around him. Others seemed to have a look of disgust that the head captain would even consider taking away his freedom so easily.

"You're like him," Hitsugaya said out of the blue.

"What?" The head captain looked over.

"You're like my father, Head Captain," Hitsugaya clarified.

"And how am I like the devil himself?" You could hear some underlying anger in the old man's voice.

"You both ruthless try to change me when I displease you," He threw the collar to Yamamoto's feet, "If you really want to use it, use it." His teal eyes were angry, "I'd rather that over the alternatives I can think of."

"Alternatives?" Ichigo looked round.

"It would likely be imprisonment for eternity or exile considering they don't know how to kill me." Hitsugaya looked to Yamamoto and he saw no indication that he was wrong, "I don't like the idea of living in a cell forever nor do I really want to leave the Soul Society."

Again the air was tense. Yamamoto picked up the collar and the old man looked it over. From the reports he read Hitsugaya acted more like his demonic self with the collar on but it would at least grantee obidence.

Glancing up at the young captain then back to the room, he decided what to do.

"All in favour of using the collar raise your hand."

The captain of squad two did not raise her hand. She had seen what Hitsugaya had been like with the collar on and as far as she saw it he seemed more likely to betray them like that than how he was now. Her Lietenant didn't either though fear she'd beat him up for it later.

Kira seemed to have his hand somewhere between. Hitsugaya had always been kind to Momo. He didn't see a reason why he would suddenly change but in the end he was a demon. He was unsure

The fourth captain and lieutenant also did not raise their hand if seemed unfair considering it would take at least 1000 years before Hitsugaya posed a threat to them.

The captain of squad six raised his hand. Byakuya felt the idea of having a demon in their ranks was a risk not worth taking without control although Renji didn't raise his hand. He wasn't going to after having Hyorinmaru through him last time Hitsugaya had the collar on.

Konamura almost looked pained but did not raise his hand. Yamamoto may have accepted him even though he was different but what could he say if he doomed someone to a life without freedom for being different. As much as he knew Yamamoto would rather use the collar he couldn't bring himself to vote for it. Iba followed his captains example.

There was no hesitation or conflict in the eighth captain when his hands stayed happily by his sides and Nonao wouldn't vote against Hitsugaya. Not with being such good friends with Matsumoto.

Hisagi had too much of a crush on Matsumoto to vote against her captain so his hand also wasn't raised.

It was a no brainier that Matsumoto did not raise her hand.

You could see it in Kenpachi's eyes he was tempted to raise his hands wanting to see what the kid would be like with the collar on but he didn't in the end. What's a fight without putting your all in. Yachiru didn't but many didn't even think she was listening.

The pair of squad 12 officers had their hands raised. Kurosuchi saw Hitsugaya as a rouge experiment which by all technicalities he was, all experiments should be brought under control or destroyed. Nemu did as her father wished.

It was easy to see Ukitake didn't raise a hand and the extra guests Rukia and Ichigo didn't either.

Hitsugaya looked round the room and actually found himself smiling. 16 out of a possible 19 was not a bad number, it seemed the majority of the Gotie 13 trusted him.

"Very well," Yamamoto pocketed the collar, "It will not be used on you Hitsugaya but know that we will be keeping an extra eye on you."

Hitsugaya nodded relief flooding him, "Thank you," He looked away a but embarrassed but muttered, "Everyone.."

Authors notes: I do not own bleach

So Toushiro's future in the Soul Society has been decided now just Gin to go!

I had been playing around with a few more ideas more plot twists etc but it was getting too complex :/ too many plot holes :( would have been awesome though. This is still gd though bit of Gotie 13 camaradery...dont know if i can spell that...

anyways sorry for the long wait and thanks to all for all reviews and overall reads. Love hearing from you :)