Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or it's characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Bleach or it's characters, that right belongs to Tite Kubo.

Author's Notes: I will not be posting the pairing until it is revealed in the story. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you toturn around and leave now. Because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.

He had not expected his day observing the strange young woman end like this. But he could honestly say that from the moment he had arrived the night before, to being woke up only five hours later had been nothing but a learning experience. Especially in what one could get done in a few short hours. Then again, he was usually up early to get as much done as possible since his Lieutenant was a bit of a flake.

He admired her efficiency: that and her stern nature. Even her Captain was not immune to it. In fact, he had enjoyed watching as she smacked the man's hands when he entered her kitchen while making breakfast, which she had catered to his likes as he was the guest. To throwing a large chef's knife and embedding it in the door frame before said Captain's nose. It had finally driven her point home. From there, she helped clean up the dishes, getting the 11th Divisions men to help under threat of no dessert. And he sympathized.

The fact that it was now November, Toshiro watched as she did some outside sweeping and cleaning of the wrap-around Veranda. Before asking him if he'd like to meditate with her. It was kind of nice not having to be responsible for a whole Division for a day, being an average person. Albeit an honorary one in the 11th Division. Taking orders and not having to give orders. And now he was here in the training hall for the daily training session. All hand to hand, which was a bit of a letdown, because he was really curious about her Zanpakuto.

His eyes tracked Kagome as she flew back and right into Izuru, who had just walked through the shoji door leading to the training hall. The way the man's eyes shot open in a mix of shock and outright fear as Toshiro watched the Lieutenant of the 3rd squad immediately set the petite woman on her feet after catching her, hands held up in a sign of surrender. Only to go slack-jawed as she spun, leaned up and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, before turning and narrowing her eyes back on her sparring partner, the third seat for her Division.

"Oh, poor Izuru, he is going to be too scared to come here for a while, again," Ikkaku muttered.

Looking away as Kagome and Yumichika continued their hand to hand match. This had his attention.

"What do you mean?" he asked, keeping his voice low.

"Oh, Rangiku didn't tell you about their first meeting?" Ikkaku chortled.

Narrowing his eyes as he shook his head no, Toshiro waited patiently for the man to continue. Of course, it was a bit of a wait since he was attempting to smother his laughter, not to draw unwanted attention.

"Well, it was a month after she joined. Yumichika and I had finally gotten away to go drinking. And well, Izuru was well into his cups and hadn't noticed Rangiku's Reiatsu or Kagomes, not that he would recognize it. And he had made a rather rude comment... about Kagome being some ugly lesbian that we were afraid of. Hence why we had not been out of the walls of the 11th Division for a month," Ikkaku said after getting himself under control.

Toshiro felt his eyebrows jump up to his forehead. He was well aware of the string of dates that Kagome had been on since the beginning of September. Though she never showed interest other than friendship. Which, in his mind, could lead to that idea? But saying something like that without knowing a person was well out of Izuru's character. Then again, it only cemented in Toshiro's mind another reason for him to never get into the habit of drinking; it made you act like a fool.

"Just wait. Izuru is here to get us to go out. Meaning he has to run the Kagome gauntlet," Ikkaku stated.

"Gauntlet?" Toshiro asked.

"Yeah. Kagome may not seem it, but she can hold a grudge. While she seems quite incapable of hating, doesn't mean she doesn't have a healthy dislike of certain people," Ikkaku said.

This had him a bit shocked. Kagome had not struck him as a person who would even hold a grudge. But then again, one could never really tell with that woman. She was rather complicated. Smiles, and politeness. Then you could see her get cold and hard. Or even mischievous and conspiratorial. He'd seen these sides of her.

Izuru watched as Kagome finished up with Yumichika. He was still very frozen. Unsure of how to take that small kiss she had planted on his cheek. Not fooled into thinking she had forgiven him, oh no, but it had his own emotions in a whirl. The girl had no clue the effect she had on others, especially the male population. And he had been the focus of her temper at one point, even if all she did was rub his head and make a comment. One that still held.

"Hey, Izuru, you here for my big brothers?"

At the comment, he was pulled from his inner musings. Nodding his head as he saw the smile curled her lips. He knew what was going to happen. He walked into the room and looked towards his friends only to pause when he saw the Captain of the 10th Division sitting next to them. The small smirk playing across his lips as those cold eyes met his own. He knew Ikkaku told him what had transpired. And after he went through a lot of trouble to bribe Rangiku to tell no one.

"Let me get the bokken," Kagome chirped at him with a bright smile.

This had him sighing. He knew how this was going to turn out. Though he was grateful for the concession, Kagome was making. It was annoying, just a little bit, to have to do this each time he came personally to get Ikkaku and Yumichika to go out and drink. Glad that she didn't go with them after that little party that was held at the 10th Division. And he did want to know how she got Captain Hitsugaya to agree to it. The boy was a stick in the mud about these things. But he had watched them all get blitzed and passed out. Hell, if Izuru had more balls (as Rangiku put it), he'd ask the Captain if he helped take the blackmail pictures of them drunk.

When Kagome reappeared with two wooden swords, Izuru held out his hand. Grasping the practice weapon, that was held out to him, firmly and sliding into the appropriate stance and watching as she did the same. He had seen her spar with her Zanpakuto in hand. And it had confused him when her skill level drastically decreased upon using a practice sword.

Quickly he shifted his weight and deflected her attacks with ease. There was no comparison between their skill levels. He had almost a full century of being a Sword Master, on top of the skills he obtained before entering the academy since he came from the family of a minor noble house. Moving around, he went on the offensive with several thrusts and slashes. His eyes narrowed as he noted her footwork. It had improved since the last time though her attacks were still feeble.

He knew not to take it easy on her. That was a mistake he'd made that first time, and he found out exactly why the men of the 11th Division feared her. The way she applied Kido was scary. The binding technique alone had left him in pain for hours, and she had refused to heal him after releasing him. And her Captain had only encouraged her. The man was a sadist.

A small smile graced his lips as he watched her spin and changed the direction of her bokken at last second, taking it from a side slash to an upwards slash. She was forcing him back as he defended. But that move left her open, and he took advantage by swinging his sword in one hand and stabbing her in the ribs. The sound of the bamboo cracking painfully against her bones, as she gasped, dancing back and bowing to him.

"They are yours, get them out of here. And dinner will be at six tonight, you three."

Izuru blinked at her words, realizing that she just invited him as well. With a quick look at the trio still sitting at the other end of the Dojo, he saw the amused and happy smiles on two of the three faces. The last held a speculative look that he knew too well.

He watched as the match went on. The way Kagome was fighting with the bokken was odd. It seemed like her swings were that of a novice. Her footwork was a bit sloppy. And he knew what was expected of those in this Division. Hell, for the students to graduate from the academy. As they relied on their physical prowess in battle. But it was odd that she hadn't even used her Reatsu as Izuru had. And he knew how skilled that man was with a sword.

"You noticed, didn't you?"

At Yumichika's words, Toshiro looked at him and nodded his head. Then slowly, he stood up as he watched Kagome place her hand over the spot that Izuru had hit. If it had been a real sword that would have been a fatal wound. Then saw the pale lilac color envelope Kagome's hand before a sickening crack was heard. Giving him pause as he noted, she looked more relieved and took a huge breath. Telling him that hit had severely fractured her ribs.

"Do not take him to task for hurting her. Izuru already learned his lesson about taking it easy on her. He was in pain for hours before she healed him," Ikkaku said softly. "and she has a reason for not infusing her Reiatsu into that weapon."

Glancing down briefly, Toshiro made his way to the duo. Who glanced at him. Izuru was giving a small bow with his head before stepping back. Kagome just looked him in the eye, or rather down at him, to look him in the eye.

"I want to spar with you next," He stated.

The way he saw two black eyebrows jump up on her forehead. Then the resigned look that crossed her face as she lifted her empty hand and motioned for him to stay, while her other handed him her bokken, as she turned and disappeared down the hall that led to the main barracks. Another thing he had found disconcerting. She slept with all the men even if her bunk was well away and curtained off. While he had slept in the former Lieutenant's room. Which had his skin crawling for a good hour before he had been able to pass out. Yachiru had been an oddity that he didn't want to think about at that moment. The pinkette scared him in all honesty.

"Here," Izuru said as he handed his bokken to him.

Taking it, Toshiro lifted it and inspected it and seeing nothing out of place. Then he lifted Kagome's and inspected it. He quickly saw the minute cracks running along its shaft. Turning his gaze to Ikkaku and Yumichika, he saw the seriousness on their faces. But they shook their heads no (in unison) at his unspoken question.

When Kagome returned, he saw she was carrying two white wood bokken. Instantly he recognized the wood for what it was. It was specially modified by the 12th Division so that it would react favorably to Reiatsu. Reaching out, he took one when it was offered, watching as it responded to his own, turning a pale blue that indicated his Reiatsu was Ice based. Looking at Kagome's, he noticed it didn't change at all. It was staying white.

"Release your Reiatsu, Higurashi," he said.

The small, sad smile that curled her lips as she just stood there. When Toshiro didn't feel it spike, he frowned at her. Just to have her lift the bokken and shove it under his nose. Giving him an up-close view of the wood, which he noted was no longer white, though it looked it. It was a very pale lilac with silver swirled in an intricate pattern along the shaft. Colors that generally didn't manifest in Reiatsu at all. Since lilac, in its various shades, represented a few things. But this shade, it meant First Love. The silver was for wealth, prestige, prosperity, to deflect negative energy and healing. All things that didn't belong in the 11th Division.

When it was pulled back, Toshiro wondered why he was not feeling her Reiatsu at all. Figuring it would be best not to ask, he shifted his body into the beginning, basic sword stance and waited for Kagome to do the same thing.

"I noted a few things. Your footwork is a bit sloppy. You are not trusting in your weapon. And while you are reading your opponent's movements, you are not using your Reiatsu in the weapon, allowing it to be damaged," He stated.

The moment the last word left his mouth, he attacked her. He was watching her eyes go wide, before blanking out, giving her a serious look. A subtle calm settling over her as she parried, thrust, and slashed back. Her movements fluid, although a bit tired, in responding to his attacks. As it progressed, he noticed that the lilac color darkened a bit more from that pale color to a vibrant violet, indicating heavy spirituality. And he could tell that she didn't want to attack with intent to harm him.

Adding more layers to the girl who he was finding was complex beyond what he had initially been thought, though she was also very simple. It was conflicting in her actions and reactions. This gave him a bit more insight and tactical advantage as he changed his style of swordsmanship to something a bit more aggressive. He was pressing her back, forcing Kagome to defend if she didn't want to be hurt again. And it had her face visibly morphing into a mask of frustration as she did her best to keep up and find an opening.

The whole match lasted for no more than ten minutes when he decided to end it. With a quick thrust and flick of his wrist, Toshiro unarmed her. Sending her weapon flying from her hands, to skitter across the wood floor as he held the point of his own to her chest. Seeing her eyes come back to life, Toshiro saw the disappointment in her eyes. It was not directed at him, but herself.

"Thank you, Hitsugaya-san," she said softly, stepping back and bowing.

Knowing not to say anything, he bowed in respect to her. He would be talking with Kenpachi about her level of skill. Though he now had more questions about how others said she was good with a sword in her hand. She was making him wonder more about her Zanpaku-to.

When she walked away, he noted the slight slump of her shoulders, even as she held her head high and back straight. Eliciting a sigh from him as she vanished with both swords, which he didn't realize she had taken from him, back to the barracks room. There was also the fact that even as her sword changed color to a deeper shade then lilac, he never felt her Reiatsu.

"You know why our Captain wears that eyepatch, right?"

At the question, he turned and looked at Yumichika, Ikkaku, and Izuru, who were standing where they'd been before the match started. Nodding his head, he waited.

"She is the same; only she limits it with sheer willpower. While all one can feel is that gentle, soothing aura, that is her Reiatsu. When released, even moderately, it has the same effect as our Captains," Ikkaku explained.

"And I know you sensed it while sparring with her, she doesn't like to harm others," Yumichika said, a smile of pride appearing on his face.

Again Toshiro nodded his head. Only to go stiff at the heavy pressure of the 11th Division Captain. The sound of the Shoji door opening had him looking over his shoulder at the man. Who was looking down at him with a calculating look in his eyes?

"Midget, stick around after dinner," was all that was said.

Lifting an eyebrow, Toshiro waited for more only to realize that he was not going to be forthcoming. And he was sure it was due to the sound of Kagome returning. It had him curious.

"Captain Voyeur!?"

Only to twitch at what Kagome called Kenpachi. He stood on the respect of addressing people appropriately. And from what he'd seen that Kagome was good about it. Except where her Captain was concerned. Even if it was said in good-natured jest, it was still disrespectful and left him curious as to why she would speak to him that way.

The moon was full and shining its silver light down on the clearing and it's only occupant. His singular eye shifted, so he was looking at the midget Captain of the 10th Division. Feeling the corners of his lips curl upwards at the way he was standing slack-jawed at what he saw in the clearing. And it was perfection. There was no mistaking what had been wanted when he requested to observe his subordinate for twenty-four hours. And now he was getting his wish.

Turning his gaze to his other side, he watched the pride on his Lieutenant and 3rd seat's face as they watched Kagome go through her routine with her sword. All of them were well aware that she knew they were there, plus one as well, which means that she would not take her sword to its second Shikai form. A shame, but he knew from talking at length with Yumichika, who had come clean about his own Zanpaku-to being one hundred percent Kido, which Ikkaku had known about for a while. Just kept it a secret until his friend felt the need to tell them.

Kenpachi had not cared in the least. The man had more than proved himself over and over with battles in that weakened form of his Zanpaku-to. And whatever Kagome had done that day in his office had only helped accelerate Yumichika's growth in the physical arts now that he had a connection with his weapons. Something Kenpachi knew first had was important after not hearing or knowing his name for so long.

"What... is she doing? And how is her swordsmanship so different from when we spared earlier?"

At the question, Kenpachi sighed and ran a hand over his head, messing it up. "She is working with her Zanpaku-to to get better. She is loads better than when we first had her fight with a bokken. A shock for me since I had found her doing this in her third year, midget," he said.

This earned him a dark look, but he just ignored it as a loud grunt came from Kagome. His eyes narrowed as he recalled the first time he put them through drills with the wooden practice swords. She was so abysmal that he wondered if she was bullshiting him. So, he did what he thought would be best, fought her himself not holding back. Big mistake, he almost killed her with how deeply he put her through not just the floor, but the ground. Thus learning that she could heal and fast.

"Wait... working with her Zanpaku-to?"

At this, he just grunted an affirmative. Knowing the white-haired boy by him was not stupid. No, he was incredibly astute.

"Kagome's Zanpaku-to's Spirit... it is unique. She doesn't have to meditate to commune with it. He, White Fang, actually has her in his world and is fighting with her right now. Also, him watching from the shadows for three years is why she calls him a voyeur," Yumichika said, his voice holding a slight tremor.

Kenpachi knew this had to do with whatever happened that day. But he'd chosen to leave it alone and ignore his comment of why Kagome called him by that moniker. It had shaken the poor guy to his core. His eyes tracked the way Kagome was moving and noted the small side skip, telling him she had dodged the blow that the spirit was delivering to her metaphysical self, as she had explained it. Her body was being honed in the art via her spirit, forcing her physical self to learn via muscle memory. It was a unique way to learn, on top of the actual real-world training.

"This is part of why I wanted her for my squad. In fact, before I found her here, she had heard my bells in the market while she was still a second year. She turned to look for me twice. Hell, she even felt my spiritual pressure, though heavily muted. She is more acutely aware than she lets on," Kenpachi said, letting his pride show in his voice. "Besides, she is fun to piss the fuck off and get brawling with. And the only one in my whole Division who can even attempt to drink at my level."

His words had the boy beside him, taking in a sharp breath. It was not often that he spoke like this about anyone, if at all. He respected those that gave all their effort. And besides, when Kagome was heavily buzzed, she had no restraints. She would speak freely and act on whatever she was feeling — leading to some rather interesting predicaments with a few of the Division members. It also served to remind him that she was most definitely not Yachiru.

And he wasn't trying to treat her like that. Just something inside of him told him tiny people as powerful as Yachiru, and Kagome was going to be, still needed to be protected. He didn't like the only female in his Division to be out galavanting around with the other men. He was a man; he knew how their fucked up minds worked. Keeping his Division safe was his job as Captain. But that meant he had to be an ass and clamp down on her. Anger or not, he would take it, to do so.

TBC!