Rukia found Toshiro buried in that day's homework.

"Toshiro…"

"I told you to drop it."

But Rukia would not let the subject drop.

"You were the one who didn't want to be a Shinigami in the first place! I'm telling you that you don't have to do it anymore!"

"I feel that I do!"

"Why?"

"Because he's still out there!"

Toshiro's pen cracked from being squeezed too hard. He rose to get a tissue to wipe off the ink that had spilled onto his hand.

"As long as the Grand Fisher's still alive," Toshiro said with narrowed eyes, "I'm not quitting. Not until one of us is dead."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Rukia whispered.

"So what am I supposed to do!? Forget everything I've seen? Ignore the fact that people I know are constantly being threatened? That stronger and stronger hollows are going to be coming here?" He sat down and took another pen.

"Or is the Grand Fisher the strongest hollow out there?"

….." "

I thought so." Toshiro sat back down and took another pen."

"If you don't want to see me get hurt again, you can leave." He pointed at a Godzilla doll on the floor. "With him around I can transform whenever I need to by myself."

'Zilla' raised his tiny arms as high as he could. "Keep me outta this, please."

Rukia could not help but grin at the cowardly lizard.

She and the mod soul had dragged Toshiro to a nearby park and set him against a tree so she could begin healing his wounds.

"Ughh." Toshiro groaned, barely conscious.

"Is he gonna be all right?" the mod soul asked. "He's bleeding all over the place."

"It's bad,"Rukia answered, "but still within my ability to handle."

Rukia's hands glowed as she cast a healing kido spell over the wound on Toshiro's chest. The boy's movements and breathing became more relaxed.

The mod soul shifted uncomfortably. "And what are you going to do with me now?"

"We're going to give Toshiro his body back. After that, who knows?"

"Great." The mod soul sighed. "So this might all be just a stay of execu-"

A wooden staff passed through his head from behind, knocking the soul candy out of Toshiro's body. The body fell to the ground, while the candy was seized by a hand.

"Urahara!" Rukia exclaimed.

"Looks like you've had a busy day." The man in the funny hat said playfully. "I'm sorry about the slipup with the merchandise. Jinta here," he said, gesturing at a red headed boy standing behind him with Ururu, "was supposed to have thrown out the box marked 'defective goods' and Ururu accidently took the soul from that box. I can give you a refund if you like."

"What are you going to do with the mod soul?" Rukia asked.

"What do you expect?" Urahara answered more seriously. "I'm going to destroy it."

"No."

Rukia gasped, and even Urahara looked surprised, as Toshiro grabbed his wrist and pulled himself up. He looked Urahara directly in the eye.

"He didn't do anything that warrants being destroyed." he said, breathing hard again.

"Toshiro!" Rukia said. "You're still in no condition for this!"

"Shut up, Rukia!" Toshiro's stare-down with Urahara turned into a glare, all of his body weight supported solely by Urahara's arm.

"You're that guy Rukia mentioned before, aren't you?"

"Probably." Urahara said. "I provided her with the gigai she's currently wearing, along with other assorted items. I am a business man, if just a humble one. People call me Mr. Hat and Clogs around here."

"I don't care!" Toshiro yelled, pulling Urahara closer. "If you want to destroy him, you're going to have to go through me first."

"It's the law." Urahara retorted.

"To hell with the law!"

Urahara bent his head down just enough for the brim of his hat to hide his expression. "So you're making a moral stand…"

He suddenly looked up at Toshiro, beaming from ear to ear.

"That's perfect!" he exclaimed, tossing the soul candy into the air with a flick of his wrist.

"Wha-?" Toshiro released Uraraha's hand to catch the candy.

"That's just what I was hoping you'd do." Urahara said, turning to walk away with his young employees. He paused to look back for just a second.

"You are the type of man I thought you were."

Toshiro took a look at the soul candy in his hand before collapsing back against the tree. He took a deep breath.

"What just happened?"

"I don't know." Rukia said. "I don't understand anything that man says or does."

"The way he talked…it was like he wanted something from me. Is he trustworthy?"

Rukia shook her head. "I don't know. He's figured out a lot about us just from my visits to his store, but he hasn't taken advantage in any way yet."

"So he may not be a problem." Toshiro held up the soul candy. "Is there any way to get this guy a body that's not mine?"

"Are you sure you want to do that after what he pulled today?"

Toshiro nodded. "If we set up rules for him it should be fine. He just got drunk on his first real taste of freedom."

"Hmmm." Rukia thought. "The easiest way would be to put it in a dead body."

"Ummm, yeah. That's out. I'm not raiding a cemetery." Toshiro looked thoughtful for a second, then started to laugh.

"Ow! Man. It hurts to laugh."

"What's so funny?"

"I just had an idea only a kid could possibly think up."

The result of Toshiro's crazy idea now stood before them: a walking, talking, foot tall, somewhat perverted Godzilla.

The words Toshiro had not quite spoken hung in the air.

I don't need you anymore.

Beep Beep

"Is that a hollow?" Toshiro asked quickly.

Rukia looked at her phone. "Yes. But it's a small one, not like the Grand Fisher."

Toshiro set his second pen down. "What are we waiting for?"

Toshiro walked back and forth impatiently.

"I'm gonna wear a trench in the road. Where's this hollow?"

"I don't know." Rukia said, pressing different buttons on her phone. "The signal just disappeared."

"Did it just go away?"

"I guess so."

"Waste of time," Toshiro muttered.

"Is something wrong, Rukia?" Orihime asked.

"Hmmm?" Rukia responded, her sandwich still in her mouth.

"This is the first lunch since you've got here that you and Toshiro haven't been sitting together. And you both look pretty upset."

"You can leave."

Rukia smiled. "It's nothing. We just need a little space."

Across the lunchroom, Chad approached Toshiro.

"Hey."

"Hey, Chad."

"Did you see the bulletin board? They posted the rankings for this semester."

"No. If I go there now I expect I'll have a black eye during next period. I already know how I ranked."

"Tied with Uryu Ishida for first place again."

Toshiro put his food down. "You sound surprised."

"Um, I, uh, thought you had less time for studying this semester."

Toshiro's eyes narrowed sharply. "Why would I have less time for studying?"

"Well, um, you've been looking more tired recently, and you're always hanging around with Rukia, and-"

Toshiro shot up.

"W-what is it?" Chad asked nervously.

"Nothing. I just have to go to the bathroom."

"This is ridiculous." Toshiro said, surveying the empty area. "Are you deliberately leading me away from where the hollows are?"

"No." Rukia insisted, hitting the side of her phone. "I don't understand why the signal keeps disappearing."

"Shouldn't it be obvious?" a voice asked from behind them.

Rukia and Toshiro turned to see a young man, dressed in a white jumpsuit and coat which he wore like a cloak and wearing highly reflective glasses, walking towards them.

"Uryu." Toshiro said.

"I'm flattered." Uryu Ishida said sarcastically.

"How are you able to see me right now?" Toshiro demanded. In order to fight the hollow Rukia had detected he had come in his Shinigami form.

"I can do far more than just see you, Toshiro Hitsugaya." Uryu said. "I believe I can see far more clearly than you are capable of." He turned his head to the side. "For instance, a hollow has just appeared."

Two seconds later, Rukia's phone began to beep.

"He's right." She said. "There's a hollow over-"

"There." Uryu pointed, a small cross dangling from his wrist. A light blue ribbon of energy extended out of the cross as he held his hand up, coalescing into a large energy bow and arrow.

Uryu fired his arrow. It flew across the town until it reached its target, a small hollow. The monster was vaporized on impact.

"Nice aim." Toshiro said, genuinely impressed. "How'd you do that?"

"I'm a Quincy." Uryu said, as if the words were heavier than the entire earth. "And I hate Shinigami.

Toshiro raised an eyebrow. "And the point of this is?"

"That you understand, Toshiro Hitsugaya, that I hate you."

Toshiro huffed and folded his arms across his chest. "If you're hoping to start an 'I hate Toshiro' fan club, be my guest. You'll get plenty of members."

Uryu pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and turned away.

"That's one of our classmates, isn't it?" Rukia asked.

"Uryu Ishida." Toshiro said. "The only student in our class whose grades match mine. If it wasn't for him bringing up the GPA of the grade I'd have skipped directly into high school already."

He turned to Rukia. "Do you know what exactly a Quincy is?"

She shook her head. "No. I remember hearing the term when I was at the Shinigami academy, but I don't remember any specifics. I suppose I can ask him tomorrow."

"'Him,' meaning Hat and Clogs?"

"Yeah."

"Count me out on that one." Toshiro said.

"Ah" Urahara said. "Back for more merchandise, Miss Kuchiki? I've got a number of-"

"I'm here for information."

"Oh? What do you want to know?"

"I want to know about the Quincies."

"Ah." Urahra turned around and walked to the back of his shop where he sat down on a step in front of the wall. "That's a term I haven't heard in quite a long time."

"You're actually serious." Rukia observed, visibly surprised.

"It's a serious subject, Quincies. They went extinct two hundred years ago."

"Extinct?"

Urahara gave her a piercing stare. "Actually, they were exterminated."

As Rukia listened to Urahara, her eyes grew wider and wider.

Uryu was buried in a novel as he walked home from school. He turned a corner to ascend a set of stairs to the top of a hill, but stopped halfway up the stairs.

"How long do you plan on following me?" Uryu asked without turning around.

"Impressive." Toshiro said, coming out from behind the corner. "I was hiding my reiatsu."

Uryu closed his book and pushed his glasses up. "Only the best Shinigami can hide their presence from someone with any real skill in detecting spiritual disturbances."

"Those red ribbons do tend to stand out."

Uryu moved directly above Toshiro on the staircase and looked down at him.

"You met the Shinigami Rukia Kuchiki nearly two months ago and gained her powers, and it all that time you never noticed one of your classmates also had an abnormally high reiatsu."

"Oh, I noticed." Toshiro said. "I just didn't think anything of it because Chad, Tatsuki, and Orihime also have high reiatsus but don't have powers like we do. I did find it weird that you were the only one of them not being attacked by hollows regularly, but then again, I had a high reiatsu for years without seeing a hollow."

"I see." Uryu said. "So you're not as dense as I thought."

Toshiro folded his arms across his chest again. "So what is this about? Are you sore about that one test we took in January that I got a higher score than you on?"

"No." Uryu insisted. "As a matter of fact, I like having a challenge in school. I am a Quincy. I hate Shinigami."

"I still don't see any point in this."

Uryu turned away again. "You have witnessed my speed and efficiency. Compared to the skills you have developed these last two months, I am clearly superior.

He looked over his shoulder at Toshiro. "I am here, so this town does not need a Shinigami."

Toshiro looked at his toes. "You're the second person in three days who's told me to quit." He raised his head slightly. "I've got my own reasons for wanting to be a Shinigami right now. If you want to help, fine. But don't get in my way."

'And don't even think about coming between me and the Grand Fisher.'

"I don't think you realize the difference between us." Uryu said. "Perhaps if we have a match you'll come to see just how useless you are to this town."

"Forget it." Toshiro said, starting to walk away.

"What?"

"I've got nothing to prove to you, Uryu. I don't see any purpose in a grudge match."

"Are you afraid?" Uryu asked. "Afraid of being embarrassed?"

"Now you're trying to bait me? Are you serious?"

"Or is it Rukia?" Uryu called after him. Toshiro stopped.

"What about Rukia?" he asked without turning around.

"You only got your powers from her. Do you need her permission every time you use your Shinigami powers?"

"You know, I really resent being treated like a child. So just stop trying to provoke me into attacking you."

"Who said anything about attacking each other?"

That got Toshiro to turn around. "Huh?"

Uryu reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, round pill. "This is a bait which Quincies use to draw in hollows to kill. I propose that we see which of us can kill the most hollows in one hour to determine the winner of our match."

"Are you insane?" Toshiro asked. "Actually luring hollows here? How many lives are you risking for a game!?"

"You don't think you can handle it." Uryu observed. "Fine, then I will." He crushed the pill between his fingers.

A small wave seemed to pass through Toshiro's body, and he raised his hand to his chest.

"You-you actually did it." Regaining his composure, he ran up to Uryu and grabbed him by his shirt.

"Make it stop!"

"I can't." Uryu said calmly. "The die is cast. What will you do, Toshiro Hitsugaya."

Toshiro let him go. "Damn you."

He took off his backback and opened it.

"Air!"

"What's that?" Uryu asked as Toshiro pulled Zilla out of his backback. "A talking Godzilla doll?"

"Dammit, Toshiro!" Zilla screamed. "I don't care if Rukia had anything to do with it! You can't just stuff me in a backpack all day!"

"Shut up." Toshiro said, reaching his hand into Zilla's mouth.

"Hey! Stop th-"

Toshiro pulled the soul candy out and threw it into his own mouth. His body fell backwards as he stood in his Shinigami costume.

"Find a place to hide." he told Zilla. "Things are about to get serious."

"Right." Zilla muttered in Toshiro's body. He gathered the backpack as Toshiro ran off.

As he passed Uryu by, Toshiro warned This isn't over between us."

"Of course not." Uryu answered, not bothering to look at Toshiro. He raised his arm, and the blue bow appeared.

"Finally, the hollows are coming."

Rukia's cell phone beeped.

"Oh?" Urahara asked. "Is there a hollow?"

Rukia looked at her phone. "Yes. But either Toshiro or the Quincy should be able to handle….it?"

Rukia's eyes widened in horror as she continued to stare at her phone.

"What is it?" Urahara asked, a small amount of concern creeping into his voice.

Rukia bolted out of the shop.

'What's going on?' she wondered frantically. 'There's over a dozen hollow signals around the town, and more are appearing every second!'

A hollow appeared right behind Zilla, who covered his head with his hands and screamed in terror as it opened its mouth to swallow him. A blue bolt hit the monster right between the eyes, and it disintegrated.

Zilla looked up at Uryu. "Thanks."

Uryu ignored him, turning his attention to another hollow.

"That's one."

"Damn it!" Toshiro screamed, slicing a hollow in half. Two more bore down on him.

'Those three are going to be targeted again for sure. But I can't even look for them if I'm being swamped here!'

Chad turned his head at the sound of children laughing. There were kids playing soccer in the park he was walking past.

Such sights made Chad a little sad. He had always wanted to participate in sports leagues, but his great size and strength made such pursuits too risky. It would be all too easy for him to accidentally hurt someone during a game.

Another sound caught his attention, and Chad looked straight in front of him. It was a low sound, like rolling thunder. And it was getting louder.

"Something's coming."

"You're improving, Orihime." Tatsuki said as they left their karate practice.

"Am I?" Orihime beamed.

"Of course! I'm glad I'm going for the national competition this year. In another one or two you'd be able to compete with me in the finals!"

"Wow! You think so?" Orihime looked away.

'If I can be as good as Tatsuki says, would I not need to be protected by her or Toshiro anymore?'

"Is something wrong, Orihime?"

"No!" Orihime insisted. "I just zoned out for a-

Crash!

Orihime, Tatsuki, and the rest of the girls in their karate class turned around to look at the bilding they had just come from. Every window was smashed.

"Gee," Tatsuki said, "I wonder what happened. Orihime? Orihime?"

Orihime was looking at the top of the building, and her eyes were bulging in terror.

"Toshiro, where are you?"