Intro: Hello there... more reviewers! Obviously HitsuHina is good stuff, makes note to chuck in uber mushy bits later on but for now, no romance in this chapter, need to move the story along unfortunately... However, stay tuned for the next one, because I think I'll make most of that one HitsuHina and OtherhitsuMatsu

Oh yeah! Haven't been getting any questions about it, but just in case some of you are uber-confused by this strange timeline here, the first 2 chapters are like... the past.. duh... and then the next two are also in the past, but not quite as much, and now from here on, its going to be taking place just after the SS arc.

Disclaimer: Don't own Bleach.. etc.

As the last of the captains assembled, Commander General Yamamoto called the meeting to order. "As you all know, after the betrayal of Aizen Sousuke, Ichimaru Gin and Tousen Kaname, we are now in need of three new captains. Naturally, the first candidates would be the respective vice-captains of these three squads." He turned to the vice-captains, who were also attending the meeting. "Kira, Hinamori, Hisagi, would you have any objections to this?" The three vice-captains considered the offer for a few minutes, then each of them gave their reply.

"It would be an honour to replace Captain Ichimaru, Captain Yamamoto Genryuusai." A few of the captains nodded their approval.

"Yeah, I'll take Tousen's place. Still can't believe he left us like that though…" Hisagi's answer was far less formal than Kira's had been, but no one really minded.

"Um… I've decided, that I will not take the place of captain of the 5th Division…" Hinamori's quiet answer was met with an eerie silence.

"Not take it up you say?" Yamamoto inquired. Hinamori nodded.

"I just feel that I can't take up the position of captain, especially in place of Aizen." All those present began to murmur amongst themselves, but were silenced as Yamamoto knocked his staff on the ground.

"Very well, since Vice-captain Hinamori has decided to reject the position of 5th Division captain, we now have a vacancy. Do any of the captains have people in mind that they feel would be able to fill this position?"

"I would nominate Abarai Renji." The captain's stared in surprise at Kuchiki Byakuya as he gave his recommendation. No one had ever known the nobleman to support his vice-captain, especially after the meeting where he had insisted Abarai be thrown out for fighting the drifter, Ichigo.

"I second that…" Kyouraku called out lazily. Abarai was definitely one of the best candidates for the position.

Hitsugaya stirred uneasily, he wondered if it would seem like favouritism if he spoke what was on his mind, but then again, he was a member of his own squad. "I would like to nominate Hitsugaya Kumatsurou, 3rd seat of the 10th Division." Soi Fong raised her eyebrow. His brother? Matsumoto looked on, feverishly hoping that the young boy she had come to like over the years would be accepted.

"Are you sure he is capable of the position of captaincy? As your brother, I'm sure you would tend to judge him favourably, even if you don't wish to." Yamamoto's tone was accusing, but Toushirou didn't back down.

"I'm certain he can handle it."

After some silence, Ukitake agreed. "I agree with Captain Hitsugaya, after all, Kumatsurou is his twin brother, and should be able to handle the job as well as Hitsugaya has." Toushirou didn't show it, but he felt extremely grateful to Ukitake for his support.

"Very well, Hitsugaya Kumatsurou will also be another to be considered for captaincy of the 5th Division. Are there any more recommendations? From Vice-captains perhaps?" The meeting continued, several names were mentioned, some accepted, and some turned down. When the meeting had finally ended, Matsumoto ran to keep up with her Captain as they headed back to the 10th Division quarters.

"Well Taichou, not bad. So Kumatsurou-kun will become a captain as well?" Toushirou made no attempt to answer, so Matsumoto kept talking to herself. "But getting past Abarai-kun could prove difficult…" When the two of them reached the building, Toushirou didn't enter, but kept on walking. "Taichou…?" Matsumoto opened her mouth to ask more questions, but understood instantly when she saw Hinamori standing in front of the white haired captain. Opening the door to the office, she turned and called out, "I'll go in and get the bed all warmed up for you if you want to bring her in later Taichou!" She retreated inside hurriedly as Toushirou turned and gave her his patented death glare.

The next day, a message came around, from the Commander General himself. "This is a message to all whom it may concern, in two days from now, there will be a tournament where all the candidates nominated during the last captain's meeting will have to face off to decide who will get the position of captain of the 5th Division." Kumatsurou frowned when he saw it.

"I have to prepare in two days? Nyeh… I'm not ready yet!" Matsumoto went up to comfort the panicking boy as he paced around the room.

"Don't worry Kumatsurou-kun, you'll do fine." She ran her fingers through his blue hair, while at the same time pushing him over to her favourite couch. "You should sit down and relax, you'll do horribly if you get too worked up about it." Kumatsurou sighed and sat down. It wasn't too long before he had nodded off. Toushirou came into the room and raised an eyebrow at Matsumoto. "You're making him as bad as you are, just don't start offering him drinks…" He remarked before leaving the room. Matusmoto turned back to the sleeping boy. Aww… he's so cute when he's sleeping. Even cuter than Taichou sleeping! Although, I haven't seen Taichou sleeping before, but I'm sure he'd look pretty cute, all kids look cute when they sleep. Matsumoto sighed as she sat down at the desk. So much had happened since Kumatsurou had joined the 10th Squad.

After he had joined, it didn't take very long for him to rise up in the ranks, until eventually, he became the 3rd seat. It was really quite amazing to see how fast he had grown power-wise, and he was so different to Toushirou as well. Toushirou was always bored, always indifferent, always mean in his own little way, but Kumatsurou was different. He was always interested in the things that went on around him, always curious, always bright and cheerful, and had seemed to take a special liking to his vice-captain.

On the morning of the tournament, Matsumoto was snoring loudly on the couch when a rough shake awakened her. Opening one eye sleepily she looked up into the unblinking eyes of her captain. "Get up."

Yawning, she dragged herself outside, and followed the two Hitsugaya's as they made their way to the main court for the tournament. She couldn't help giggling as she saw the two walk side by side. "You know, I don't think those vitamins you got from Captain Unohana are working Taichou…" As Toushirou glared at her, she could see a faint tinge of red in his cheeks.

"Vitamins? What vitamins? What's she talking about Nii-san?" Kumatsurou looked at his brother expectantly.

"Nothing."

"You know he's still taller than you…"

"Shut up Matsumoto." The vice-captain said no more, but contented herself with another quick glance at the two brothers before guffawing again. When they reached the main court, even Toushirou was surprised. There were crowds of people spectating. The news had spread quite quickly it seemed, and at least half of Soul Society's Shinigami were watching, Toushirou reckoned.

"Let the tournament for the captaincy of the 5th Division begin!"

Matsumoto watched Kumatsurou as he sailed through the first few challenges relatively easily. She smiled as she saw him fight. He's really good with that sword of his… She frowned a little as she saw Renji complete his matches with similar ease as well. As she had predicted, Abarai would be the most difficult opponent.

It was time. The final battle. Vice-captain Abarai Renji against Hitsugaya Kumatsuoru, 3rd seat of the 10th Division. As the two faced each other, each preparing to draw his sword. "I don't think we need to waste our time. Let's just release our Soul Slayers right away." Abarai was confident as he smirked at Kumatsurou. He had never seen the sword of his opponent, but he was certain he could defeat it.

"That's fine with me Abarai." Kumatsurou's voice and tone were different from normal. His voice was still light, but it definitely carried a challenge. The referee, the 1st Division vice-captain, ran through the rules, including the most important one.

"And since only Abarai has achieved Bankai, he will not be permitted to use it in the battle." Renji nodded, he had had no intention of using his sword's most powerful abilities anyway. "Begin!"

"Howl, Zabimaru!" Renji's sword glowed as it mutated into its saw like segments. Renji smirked as he waited for his opponent to do the same.

"Surge through the storm, Raibikaritatsu!" Dark clouds filled the sky, despite it having been fine a moment ago. Kumatsurou drew his sword, and with one thrust, tossed it up into the sky, where a bolt of blue lightning struck it. The sword began to glow with the electrical energy, and a dragon emerged, composed completely of blue lightning, while a thin trail of lightning spiralled around its body. Toushirou smiled as he saw the dragon. Raibikaritatsu, the most powerful lightning elemental blade, and brother to Hyourinmaru. Renji would have his hands full with this battle.

Renji wasted no time with his attacks, whipping Zabimaru around in succession. To his surprise Kumatsurou appeared to be able to avoid his attacks easily. You won't get him that easily, Kumatsurou's quick as lightning, he's probably faster than any of the vice-captains, although not as good as the captains, Toushirou thought to himself. The many spectators watched on in awe as the small kid danced around Zabimaru's attacks, however, he never moved into range for an attack.

"Shift!" The sword in Kumatsurou's hand dulled, and finally fell limp. It had morphed into a black whip. His attacks are getting more accurate. I wouldn't be able dodge too many more of them, he thought. As Zabimaru came back down for yet another strike, he leapt out of the way, and flung his whip around the sword. Renji's expression was still one of shock as the large dragon that had been following Kumatsurou's movements entered the whip, travelled along its length, along Zabimaru's body, and hit Renji. "You sure you want to keep on going Renji? After a direct hit from Raibikaritatsu like that, you'll be finding it hard to move." Abarai Renji found those words to be true. After the dragon had struck him, it soared back into the sky, but Renji found himself struggling to move. His body was paralysed, not completely, but almost.

"NO!" There was no way that he was going to surrender to this kid. He wanted that position, he wanted to be Hinamori's captain, perhaps more than anyone else, even Captain Hitsugaya. Pulling Zabimaru loose, he uttered only one word. "Ban-kai…" Toushirou stared in horror as Renji called forth Baboon King Zabimaru, the most powerful form of his soul cutter. No way, he's not allowed to! Even with Kumatsurou's speed and Raibikaritatsu's ability paralyse, he can't survive against a Bankai… The large skeleton snake that was coiled around Renji was about to strike, when a loud horn sounded.

"Abarai Renji has hence been disqualified for breaking the rules and summoning his Bankai. Therefore the winner is Hitsugaya Kumatsurou!"

Kumatsurou's head was still spinning as he made his way back to the 10th Division office. I won? Even if it had been due to the disqualification of his opponent, he never would have guessed that he would become a captain like his brother. This has got to be a dream…

Stuff: Hehe... done! If I feel like it, might get the next mushy chapter up by today, or I might start working on another fic I've been thinking about...