After Captain Hitsugaya went over the expected duties and shown him to his new sleeping quarters, Ichigo reported back to Aizen. Ichigo never thought he would be promoted to lieutenant, especially when he only sat at the 10th seat. Ichigo did his best to cover his reiatsu to make himself appear weak. He didn't like when he had to live up to expectations and being of a lower seat meant that less people would be paying attention to what he was doing. They wouldn't expect someone dangerous enough to be killing Shinigami on a mass scale to be just a rank 10 subordinate. Though he was displeased about what it meant to be a lieutenant, Ichigo knew that there would be positives that would suit Aizen quite nicely as he would be able to gather more information of a higher level and even possibly manipulate his captain.

"So," Aizen purred. "What's the good news?"

"I have been promoted. Rangiku had some…business and needed to take a leave. So I was promoted to the temporary lieutenant of Squad 10." Ichigo didn't know why, but he always had this urge that made him feel as though he needed to please Aizen. He supposed it had something to do with his hollow half, but Ichigo strived to ensure Aizen was happy, regardless of what he asked for.

"How awfully convenient. That could benefit us. But I hope you do know this means you have to be a bit cleaner with your toys." Aizen smirked at him, looking at him knowingly from behind his glasses.

"You wouldn't happen to have anything to do with this, Captain Aizen?" Ichigo asked the usually kind man.

"Me?" Aizen feigned innocence. "Whatever do you mean? I only…pulled a few strings." Though he seemed calm and collected, the red head could tell that there was a gleaming shine to his eyes, telling him everything he needed to know. "Make sure to keep careful and do not disappoint me. You know what happens when you upset me."

"Of course, Master Aizen. We wouldn't want that now." It was like a game between them. The threats and promises that led to no consequence, but a desire. Ichigo knew how to play the game, and he played it well.

"Good, Pet." It sounded almost loving, though the strawberry knew the man well enough to never assume Aizen knew what affection was. "I'll allow you to have a little fun tonight. Less restrictions. Your choice of play. My only request is you make a scene when you're done."

"At your command." Ichigo gave Aizen a short bow before promptly disappearing into the night. He needed to complete some paperwork before he could begin his "play". If he did a good job, Aizen would reward him well. Ichigo did not have anything in his life to look forward to. He considered himself to have led a rather dull and boring life. He didn't remember his past life, and as far as he was concerned, he had no friends or family. What he would give to have a family. But Ichigo knew he wouldn't be able to keep up with the expectations that came along with familial bonds. That required dedication and work, and Ichigo didn't think he had the ability to care enough for what was needed. Because of this, Ichigo thrived off praise and rewards. He didn't care what the reward was nor what it took to get to it, it was one of the few things left that made him feel.

Paperwork felt so meaningless. It was the same report after report. Hollow appearance here, disputes and fights there, nothing felt important. Everything was so lackluster. Ichigo missed the fight, the urge to create a painting out of one's blood as he left them wailing in agony, to watch him in horror. It was some kind of sick, sadistic pleasure he took part in and he blamed it mostly on his hollow. His hollowfied-self worked on pure instinct. He took part in carnal pleasures and enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. Golden orbs glared at the stack of paperwork that needed to be done. He supposed that his insomnia would at least help him get back on track. How long had Rangiku been gone to let it get so bad? Ichigo let out a deep breath, knowing he could get this done in thirty minutes – an hour tops. Then…he could have his fun. A grin began to sneak on to his face and he signed his name away in vigor.

The next morning, Captain Hitsugaya visited Ichigo in his office. He placed a gentle knock on the door and waited patiently for a reply before quietly entering the office. Captain Hitsugaya rarely smiles, he saved it for special occasions. Often, his demeanor scared off his team and he got the reputation for being what some would call a "cold-hearted bitch", though no one would say that to his face or they would have to face the icy wrath of his dragon. Though his outward appearance would suggest that the Captain was naive and weak, he was wise beyond his years and plenty experienced. His captain before him would teach him and hone his skills. He adored his captain, his ever-gentle smile and humorous antics. It was a time when you would catch Toshiro smiling just a bit more.

"Lieutenant Kurosaki, how has your paperwork been coming along?" the captain asked him. Ichigo looked up to him, lack of emotion shown through his dull eyes as he nodded to the pile of paperwork that was neatly stacked on the corner of his desk.

"Completed, Sir," Ichigo drawled. Captain Hitsugaya looked at the stack of papers, eyes widened ever so slightly.

"That was about a month's worth of paperwork! How did you finish it so quickly?" Hitsugaya inquired. Ichigo looked at him momentarily before sighing, his golden eyes flicked between his paperwork and his captain, hand combing through long, silky orange hair.

"I suppose the inability to sleep has its uses sometimes." Ichigo chuckled humorlessly to himself. Dark bags could be seen shadowing his beautiful topaz gems. Hitsugaya could tell he hasn't slept in days, maybe even weeks. He didn't know how the young man did it, but he wished he could help him in some way.

"Have you been getting sleep lately?" he asked. Ichigo tilted his head as if in thought. He tried to think back to the last time he had a decent sleep where he slept all the way. Ichigo couldn't remember a time where he got eight hours of sleep either. Occasionally, the lack of sleep caused his mind to become foggy and muddled, but most of the time, the Shinigami ran off pure reiatsu. Ichigo's eyebrows furrowed together.

"I…don't know?" It was worded as a question. Ichigo wasn't entirely sure of himself. "Maybe last week or two weeks ago," he murmured. Looking out the window, Ichigo saw vast expanses of blue sky with a sun that seemed to be always too bright for his liking. Ichigo liked the dark vastness of the night. It was easy to hide and hurt his eyes less. He didn't know if it were just his imagination, but he sometimes felt as if he were stronger even when the moonlight washed upon his sunkissed skin. Ichigo honestly didn't know how he had a tan with how little he ever visited the sun.

"That long, hm?" Captain Hitsugaya's eyes hardened. There was something beneath them that Ichigo couldn't identify. He didn't like when he didn't know how things ticked, it made him feel weak, and weakness was something that was unacceptable. "Perhaps Squad 4 could take a look at you and see if they could come up with either a temporary or permanent fix for your sleeping issues." The captain offered.

"I would prefer not to," Ichigo started. "I don't like other people touching me or exposing me."

"Not even for the sake of sleep?" Toshiro was beginning to question the sanity of his lieutenant.

"No. I'm sorry, Captain. I have no desire. It's okay," he gave a faint smile to the captain, but his empty eyes often betrayed him as they did now. "I have lived with insomnia all my life. I can still perform my duties, sleep or no."

"It's not about the sleep, Kurosaki. It's about keeping yourself healthy!" Captain Hitsugaya looked as if he wanted to say more, but he was briefly interrupted by the entrance of a little black butterfly making its appearance known to the two.

"A hell butterfly." Toshiro eyes the little creature momentarily as he listened to the brief message. "Captain Yamamoto wished to hold a Captains' meeting with all Captains and Lieutenants present. We are to leave immediately." Ichigo sighed and ran his hand through soft, orange locks as gold eyes stared daggers into the butterfly. He did not want to entertain the Head Captain, but he had no choice but to keep up appearances. He had a feeling he knew what this meeting was going to be about.

"Lead the way, Captain."

It took nearly twenty minutes for all the Captains to gather, Gin Ichimaru being the last to arrive, his ever-present sly grin front and center.

"My apologies, Head Captain. I was running a bit late." Gin said. Ichigo wasn't entirely sure how to feel about Gin. While he was one of Aizen's "partners in crime", Ichigo thought the man was rather untrustworthy. There was something about his eyes that screamed that everything was a front. Ichimaru knew how to play the game, and damn did he play it well.

"Try not to let it happen again," came the thundering voice of the Head Captain. With a stamp of his cane, the Gotei 13 quieted. "I suspect you all know why I brought you here?" He eyed them all, gauging the reactions and looking for anyone who might have been a potential suspect for the murders of the Seireitei.

"I presume another murder?" The strawberry teen looked to his captain, allowing his eyes to widen slightly in feign surprise.

"Correct. This time, it was someone of a higher position." Yamamoto said gravely. "Kaien Shiba is no longer with us." He finished solemnly.

"Oh, Rukia will not be happy when she finds out," Captain Ukitake murmured to himself, his expression filled of sorrow.

Ichigo took this time to analyze the situation and how each Captain and Lieutenant took the news. Some people showed a great deal of sorrow while others showed some kind of hostility. Though Ichigo already knew about Kaien's death, he put in the effort to at least appear solemn and upset about the news. Deep down, the memory of tearing Kaien's throat out brought a pleasurable shiver down his spine. He missed the wet, sticky feeling on his blood covering his hand and dripping down his spine. Red was such a beautiful, hypnotizing color. He remembered how Kaien screamed in pain and his gurgles as he choked on his own blood. Pushing the memory as far back into the crevices of his mind, Ichigo spoke.

"What are we going to do now that they are targeting our stronger Shinigami?"

"I think a lockdown is necessary. No one is to leave their rooms after dark. Whoever is committing these crimes only has done so outside at night. I believe a curfew is necessary. And no one is to go anywhere alone until we can find the culprit. There must always be two people with each other at all times when outside. If someone is in need of being out after dark, I expect a Lieutenant or Captain to escort them to their destination and back. These needless killings must end!"

Ichigo nodded along with the rest of the others. He thought about how this would affect his after-evening activities, but he shrugged off the thought. Ichigo knew he could mask his reiatsu beyond detection. He has done it for years in order to mask himself from the Soul Society. If they discovered what he was, they would surely execute him without trial. He was what they would consider an abomination. Perhaps taking a break from his extracurricular activities would help him alleviate some of the weight from surveillance, but the ginger doubted it. He decided to treat this as a game. A more complicated version of cat and mouse, ad Ichigo was always the mouse.

"You are dismissed." Each of the Squads headed back to their district. Captain Hitsugaya looked over at the teen, a solemn look on his face.

"Ne, Kurosaki?"

"Yes, Captain?" he replied in almost a casual tone.

"I'm sorry for throwing this all on you at once. I know you just received this position and the next day you are expected of big things. Things the Seireitei has not seen in decades." Icy orbs looked downwards at the floor, the air seemingly losing a few degrees in temperature. Golden orbs looked into frosty sapphires as he thought of a response.

"Honestly, it is no problem. Besides, someone was going to have to take the job and this gives my mind something to think about on sleepless nights." Ichigo forced a grin though he felt no happiness. Ichigo didn't feel anything. Correction, he felt hollow.

"May I ask you a question, Lieutenant?" Hitsugaya stopped momentarily as he faced Ichigo. The redhead raised a single eyebrow.

"Shoot."

"I know you struggle to sleep at night. I don't suppose you might have seen something or heard one of the encounters?" Ichigo combed his hand through long orange locks, twirling a strand around his finger as he feigned thought.

"No, Sir. I'll be honest, most nights I spend buried in a book. Sometimes, it helps me sleep. But for the nights it doesn't, it keeps my mind occupied. My apologies for not being of more assistance." Ichigo sighed. "My head is a jumbled mess at night, a constant fight between the desire for sleep but the need to be aware."

"It's quite alright, Lieutenant. Just do me a favor and if you hear or see anything suspicious, come to me straight away." Hitsugaya had a stern look about him. Though he appeared to be no older than 14 or 15, Ichigo could tell he was wise beyond his years and much older than his body appeared. The strawberry remembered hearing about how much of a genius the man was and, in a way, looked up to him.

"Of course, Captain." Ichigo replied.

"Meet me tomorrow in the morning. Just knock on my office. I want to be able to get an idea of your abilities and capabilities. You went from the 10th seat to the 2nd. I already know you're quite powerful, but I want to see for myself where you stand."

"Will do, Captain." Captain Hitsugaya let the faintest of smiles appear on his face though it disappeared nearly as fast as it came. "I think I'll use the rest of the day to clean up the office. It was looking a bit dusty."

"If you come across any bottles of alcohol, for the love of God just throw them out please. I don't need a repeat of my previous Lieutenant." Though Hitsugaya was joking, the teen could hear the worry in his voice. Clearly, he had not heard from Matsumoto in days, and it was unlike her to not communicate to him for any length of time. Ichigo bowed his head in respect before departing. He couldn't stand liquor. Sometimes, it made him lose control and control was something he could not afford to lose.

The ginger walked slowly back to his office, deciding what his nightly activities were going to consist of tonight. Oh, how he did love a good game.