Overwhelming darkness. A permanent oblivion surrounding him, embracing him in blissful ignorance. There was no pain here, no suffering. He had no reason to be concerned or despaired. Finally, a peaceful rest.

Yet he WAS restless. This persistent drowsiness didn't feel as comforting as he would have thought. It was more like a figurative drain had opened somewhere in his mind, and through it he was losing energy. This was not a comforting rest, but an exhausting pull. It was uncomfortable enough to keep him from falling fully into the oblivion, displeased with this leech on his power. He was promised sleep, an eternal peace from his nightmares, but something was still pestering him even here.

Something else called for his attention. It felt like a voice… was someone trying to get his attention? A bell-like tone echoed through the darkness, a wisp of light passing by him. Intrigued, he watched it float by before it vanished. What was that about?

Return to sleep…

The whispers in the darkness beckoned him away from the mysterious call. That's right… he didn't want to go, he wanted rest.

The bell sounded again, the wisp of light stronger as it curled around his form this time. Curious he looked at his hand, watching the light curl around it fondly, a friendly touch that felt warm, familiar. He knew this presence… right? It felt so familiar. A few more wisps came behind it, bearing different colors as they curled around his arms in a warm embrace. They felt familiar, so familiar. Some were quieter than the others, a bit dull and distant, but friendly all the same. They brought with them whispers, unintelligible in their soft wispy form, but bringing out his curiosity. Who were these lights trying to get his attention? The darkness whispered louder, trying to snuff out the lights.

You do not need them, rest in peace, they will only return you to suffering.

"But they're warm." He argued back, holding his arms and the wisps curling around them closer to his body as if to protect them.

You do not need them.

"I want them."

'Toshiro!' The brightest of the lights curled up around his head, its whispers louder than the others. A light pink one followed closely, bringing with it the warmth of a motherly figure.

"You sound familiar…" He mused aloud, observing the bright light vying loudly for his attention.

'Toshiro, we came to get you!'

Don't listen!

He ignored the hiss from within the darkness, trying to figure out who this familiar wisp was. They sounded so desperate, reaching out for him, and he wanted to understand why. Everything outside was suffering… but this presence was changing that perception, bringing forth a light that he wanted to be a part of.

The light is temporary, you will only continue to suffer in it, but oblivion is forever.

"But they know me." Of that he was sure; these wisps were people he knew, people he wanted to get back to. He didn't have to be alone.

You will always be alone.

"I won't believe that anymore."

The wisps flared brighter, beginning to bring light into the void, the darkness hissing angrily.

'Toshiro!'

"…Sora?" As the light seeped into the darkness pervading his mind, Toshiro finally recognized the voice within the wisp. These warm lights were the people he had made friends with, people close to him, dear to him. The wisps formed shapes, revealing the souls they belonged to, their familiar Spirit Energy calling out to him. Sora was closest with Donald and Goofy at his side, Rangiku, Law and Dextra just behind him, and behind them, dim but there, all those he had met and learned to trust, who had been there for him. The pirates, fighting, giving it their all. They had not perished under his power, and they showed no blame towards him, no hatred or ill will, just the desire to save a friend. Sora's friend Riku, the Water Nobody Demyx, and even Yoruichi, they had come to the world to help him.

'We'll get you back Toshiro, just you wait!' Sora's determined voice echoed through the air, even if the figure of Sora did not move their lips, simply reaching a hand out instead. A gesture of hope, a lifeline to escape the darkness.

Needing no further prompting, Toshiro reached for the hand, pushing himself forward towards those in the light.

His hand was sharply pulled back, his movement halted as tendrils of darkness clung to his body painfully, pulling him back into the void.

You cannot return to the light.

"I'm returning to my friends!" Toshiro struggled against the bindings, panic crossing his face as the wisps began to fade, going away from his reach. "I don't care about light or darkness, but I refuse to be controlled anymore!"

You seemed willing to accept it moments ago.

"I gave up too easily!" He shook his head viciously to get the voice out of his head. "I lost track of what was important and thought I had lost. But it's not lost yet! I have them, and as long as I do I refuse to back down again!"

You will suffer!

"I'll accept that if it means I get to know what it's like to belong somewhere!" Tears stung at his eyes as he continued to struggle away. "And I did get to know what that was! I finally understand it! And I'm not letting it go!"

Light flooded his vision, stripping away the darkness clinging tightly to his form. Finally free, he hurried back to his feet and ran forward, away from the darkness, away from his nightmares and fears. He was moving on.

A roar echoed around him and a familiar cold embrace brought him comfort.

In the silence outside on the island, the light retreated back inwards, gathering at a point around where Toshiro had stood. Sora and Law found their footing again, having been pushed away nearly off the edge, the former's Drive form dispersing and bringing back his two animal companions, who joined the others in gaping at the sphere of light before them. Rangiku hurried over to Sora's side to make sure he was fine before watching the light with a wary eye, wondering what had become of her Captain. Those on the ground took a glance around to notice the majority of the Heartless swarm was completely gone, washed away by the light, a menace no longer. Only the giants remained, turning to the light with hungry gazes. In the confusion and shock going around, the last remaining enemy, Isa, vanished into a dark portal to follow his master. He had continued to fight until the end, but it was clear even to him now there was no point wasting any more effort.

The sphere suddenly released its light again in a loud burst, straight up into the sky, striking Kingdom Hearts. Just as the beam of darkness had done before, the light washed over it, this time cleansing it of the eerie black tendrils trying to suffocate its light. Kingdom Hearts was restored, a brilliant azure once more. The dread that had been forming in their guts went away, peace taking its place at the knowledge that the true light was no longer in danger.

The first movement below was from the Heartless, the huge Darksides seeking to devour the heart above them, to absorb its light and snuff it out. They sought its salvation while bringing with them only destruction.

In response, the sphere of light moved upwards above the peak, enlarging in the air. From it emitted a brilliant cold, but it was not a cold that brought on death and despair. Instead, it was a comforting chill, a feeling of ease and restored energy, a brief shock to sharpen their senses and keep them going.

"This is quite something…" Kizaru couldn't help the awe in his tone as he watched something amazing appear from the sphere of light with the others on the island.

The once menacing black dragon had been cleansed of all darkness, returning to a sleek form of a shining blue, the long icy body practically glowing on its own in the light of Kingdom Hearts, curled around itself like a snake across the peak. The wings that spread shined brightly, appearing to be carved with care and delicacy but strong enough to create a storm with a single swipe. Once golden eyes had become a royal crimson, the hostility of instinct replaced with an endless wisdom that demanded respect. Though normally Hyorinmaru bore no limbs other than his wings, this pure awakened form gifted him two forelegs capable of grabbing the Darksides with ease.

This was a true guardian dragon.

Lifting his majestic head upward, Hyorinmaru let off a powerful roar. Unlike the beastly roar he held as a Heartless, this one echoed through the air with power. As he roared, light flowed from his body over the island, overwhelming the giant Heartless trying to pitifully crawl their way up to him. With this final burst, the remaining Heartless were destroyed, the hearts floating upwards to absorb into the soft light of Kingdom Hearts.

"Wow, the real Hyorinmaru is AWESOME!" Chopper exclaimed loudly, craning his neck as much as he could to see the enormous form of the ice spirit.

"Such a difference from the dark form… so this is what those two are really like." Nami breathed in wonder.

Still on the peak, Sora and the others looked around them at the huge icy coils surrounding them, the ice practically a mirror with its shine. There was no threat from the dragon though. If anything, his presence was a barrier, protecting them from any possible outside harm, though now there was none with the Heartless gone.

Rangiku's focus was on the small light still shining in their company, in place of where Toshiro had been. The Spirit Energy still felt like him… in fact… it felt whole again. Hope rose within her as she stepped closer, waiting for the light to disperse. Law chose to wait at a distance, keeping a hand on Dextra as the harpy eagle shook out of the stupor the light had put her in, returning to her child form. She clung close to her Papa, confused and somewhat frightened, though she had a feeling they had won.

"Toshiro, that you?" Sora went to stand next to Rangiku, eagerly waiting for the return of his friend, Donald and Goofy still gaping upwards at Hyorinmaru, the dragon turning his crimson gaze down to them as he, too, observed the light.

As if in response, the light finally began to fade away. Similar to Hyorinmaru's appearance from the light, wings of bright blue ice spread first, dispersing the last of the light.

"Whoa…"

Sora's amazement was shared by those around him. Toshiro was in his Bankai form, but it had changed somewhat. He still bore wings matching his dragon, icy talons covering his hands and feet, and a long icy tail, but now he also wore some kind of armor, white and blue in color that covered his chest and shoulders, a black material like a suit covering the rest not hidden by ice. A white haori rested over the armor made of similar material. A helmet covered his face, shaped into a dragon with icy horns at the top. Around his neck they could see a pendant with a snowflake, the ice a bright, brilliant blue, just like the rest of his ice, no longer dull.

"Captain?" Rangiku, while confident this was her Captain returned, suddenly worried he still wasn't quite in control yet. As far as she remembered, they had not removed the collar, unaware of the purpose of the pendant.

The armored figure reached up towards the helmet, fumbling with it for a bit as if not sure how to get it off, before succeeding and removing the dragon head.

"This is weird…" Toshiro commented quietly, looking at the helmet in his hands. His teal eyes were clear of any control or illusion, fully himself, and his hair was a pristine snowy white, not a hint of black at their ends. He was whole again. Not only that, but somewhere in his awakening he had shed the dreaded collar, freeing himself from its mental control.

"Toshiro!" With no further hesitation, Sora leapt at the Soul Reaper and locked him in a tight hug. Ecstatic, Donald and Goofy weren't too far behind, knocking the poor spirit to the ground in a dog pile, the helmet dropping to the ground before flashing away into light, not currently needed.

"Let me up!" Toshiro complained, though inwardly he was glad to see these three again.

"We're so glad you're back!" Sora ignored the growl, simply happy to have his friend back from the darkness.

"Captain~!" Rangiku rescued him from the dog pile only to hug him tightly against herself, or at least as well as she could with the wings in the way.

"Breathing… is nice…" Toshiro wheezed.

She released him and he took a moment to get his breath back, taking his chance to finally take in what had happened, his friends waiting eagerly but willing to give him space. Putting a hand to his chest he found a steady heartbeat thumping against it, a welcome feeling to the emptiness he had started to become used to. With its return was a rush of emotions he had a hard time keeping control of, but an absolute blessing all the same, something he never wanted to lose again. Best of all… Hyorinmaru's comforting presence returned to his mind, even as the dragon himself held a physical form around them, a gentle rumble to help calm his nerves. He had missed that feeling, the comfort of a partner always by one's side, keeping away the nightmares. There was no more nagging darkness, no more dark pull, no more foreboding emptiness. He was well and truly complete again.

With a deep breath, he collected his thoughts and turned to look at the excited faces gathered around him.

"I… I'm glad you guys came… for a moment there, I wasn't sure I'd come back from that." He told them honestly, a smile crossing his face.

"Of course we'd come for you, we only wish you'd have called out sooner." Rangiku chastised him. "I've been worried sick, and Momo has some words for you when we get back."

Toshiro flinched, a bit concerned now at causing his adopted sister to stress herself too much worrying about him.

"This is awesome, everyone will be so happy to see you!" Sora bounced up and down a bit, barely containing his excitement. He paused for a moment, remembering something, pivoting around to look at the two pirates standing quietly off to the side. Law had been content to do so a bit longer, having to lean on his sword while he recovered his stamina. "Thank you so much for your help healing him."

"It was the least I could do, I don't really like the idea of the planet I live on getting devoured by darkness." Law waved off the gratitude, not one to accept thanks since he refused to play a hero's role.

"You already look a lot different… in a good way." Dextra piped up from her Papa's side. "Is that the Bankai you were telling us about?"

"Yes, though I've never had armor in it before." Toshiro responded, looking over himself again at the pristine garments.

'It would seem it came about as we awakened in the presence of Kingdom Hearts.' Hyorinmaru offered, leaning his head down towards them, his new legs folding up under him like a cat. 'There is much to learn about these new powers, and in time our memories will follow even as we make new ones.'

"Hyorinmaru, you look so cool!" Sora beamed up at the dragon.

Giving a loud rumble that must have been meant as a purr, the dragon nodded his head to the Keybearer, appreciating the admiration.

Some shouting from below caught their attention, no doubt the other two pirate crews wanting to know what was going on. The loudest was of course Luffy, shouting the nickname he used for Law and causing the surgeon to scowl.

"I suppose we should let everyone know that we didn't get eaten." He grumbled.

"And that you're back to normal." Sora put a friendly arm over Toshiro's shoulders before quickly pulling it back, having brushed against the icy wings still present. "That's really cold…"

Toshiro couldn't help a short laugh at the Keybearer's expense.

"I suppose staying in Bankai at this point is a bit unnecessary." He agreed.

The icy coils around them began to shift as Hyorinmaru spread his wings once more, lifting himself up into the sky, a winged snake gliding through the air with grace. Light flowed over his form before he himself seemed to turn into that light, the physical form dispersing into icy wisps that swirled back down over their master. He held his hand up towards them, the ice and armor on his own body fading into light and joining the gathering wisps converging into his waiting hand. It continued to shrink, creating a familiar shape, and as the light finally faded the bladed form of Hyorinmaru was once more a physical creation resting in Toshiro's hand. With practiced ease he turned it and placed it at his back where a sheath formed around it and created a chain around his torso to hold it in place. His clothing had changed as well, a more familiar black Shihakusho with the haori remaining, a pure white with a dragon symbol at its back rather than the number for his squad as he was used to, a small piece of armor remaining over his left shoulder.

"Back to your usual self already." Rangiku praised with a kind smile. Toshiro returned it, glad to be back.

The brief happiness was quickly shattered.

"The brighter you make your light, the harsher people around you will suffer."

They turned around sharply towards the voice, weapons prepared. It was the younger vision of Xehanort again, a smug expression on his face despite his older counterpart failing.

"You keep changing your mind on whether or not it's me suffering or those around me, whichever suits you best." Toshiro shot back coldly.

"Only because your priorities change, and as they do, so do your fears." Xehanort responded smoothly. "And darkness loves to prey on those fears. It will be drawn to you. Just as the Heartless seek out those chosen by the Keyblade, you, as the key to Kingdom Hearts itself, will bring with you the worst kinds of shadows seeking out your light."

"We'll take that challenge." Sora stepped forward, a bold expression of absolute determination. "You'll never get Kingdom Hearts; we'll stop you every time!"

"In the meantime, what manner of destruction will you bring with you?" The vision flickered as he motioned to Dextra and Law. "How much have they suffered needlessly for you?"

"You don't get to talk about that!" Dextra shouted, only prevented from leaping forward to slash at the illusion by Law's arm latching onto her.

"I'm only reminding him to be more careful of his actions." Xehanort chuckled, amused by her anger, returning his attention back to Toshiro, the guardian glaring daggers at him. "If you wish to stop me, then we will meet again in the sleeping realms."

"Sleeping realms?" Sora questioned, but was given no answer as the enemy's image flickered away. "Hey!"

"There's no point worrying about it, Sora, we'll deal with him when the time comes." Toshiro caught the brunette's attention. "We've ruined every plan of his so far, all we have to do is stay strong."

"Yeah…" Sora frowned at where Xehanort had disappeared before turning back to his companions. "So, back down then?"

"Might as well, looks like things have calmed down." Rangiku answered as she watched everyone gather below.

Law turned his gaze to the remaining Marines gathered behind Kizaru as the Admiral himself approached.

"Wouldn't be too sure about calm…" He muttered to himself.

Below, watching the tall man approach, Yoruichi had a similar unsettled feeling. The light user looked like a man on a mission, and his mission didn't agree with theirs. One could never be too careful, and without knowing what they were planning, she needed a backup plan. Kizaru was able to fight almost level with Aizen, so if he decided to start a fight, she needed to make sure they could overwhelm him and keep him away.

"Demyx." She spoke quietly, beckoning the Nobody over. "I need you to go get some people for me."

Though confused, Demyx nodded, understanding from her tone she was being serious. If she saw need to get reinforcements, he would follow orders.

"Still here, Straw Hat?" Sentomaru stepped forward with a sneer at the rubber man.

"I'm waiting for my friends, of course I'm still here." Luffy shot back, frowning. Why else would he stick around?

"You're a very wanted man, I would think you didn't want to hang around with Marines here."

"We leave no one behind, and we will protect our friends from you." Robin stood her ground as well, daring the soldiers to strike first. All of the straw Hats stood firm across from the Marines, their allies just behind them waiting on their Captain and Dextra.

"Normally I'd be happy to bring all of your heads back with me, but I have very strict orders to capture that little guardian of yours and bring him for our great leaders." Kizaru spoke up this time, his aura letting off a very clear threat. "So we really don't have time for your games."

The pirates all bristled, but paused from snapping back when Yoruichi stepped between them, standing proud against the much taller Admiral.

"I'm afraid I'll have to fight with them then. Hitsugaya Toshiro doesn't belong to you, and I'M here to bring him back home." Her tone was firm, a smirk on her face. She had no problems picking fights with authorities, and she rather respected the pirates behind her for defending Toshiro so strongly. Harribel stood next to the were-cat, still in her Resurrección form with a heavy pressure in the air containing the aura of water. Of the two women, she might have been the bigger threat due to her power being the one weakness of the Devil Fruit users, even if she wasn't aware of such things.

"I'm not too eager to have those old men in charge trying to control a power like that either." Turning around, the Marines spotted Shanks and his crew standing firmly behind them, blocking them in between two pirate forces. It was not a good situation for the Marines, but Kizaru didn't seem too bothered, almost as if expecting this resistance.

This was the tension that Toshiro and the others returned to when they reached ground level, all of them on alert for a potential fight breaking out.

Not the best of scenarios to end on.

Edit: So, uh, I realized when I posted this one first that I actually forgot to post the previous chapter...explains why everything was so quiet... so in case you read this before I fixed it, i'm just going to go ahead and post it along with the previous one, since this was supposed to be today's anyway and i'm just dumb. Very sorry for that, hopefully it didn't ruin the experience for too many of you.

I am now caught up with chapters, which means they will now be posted when I finish them rather than on a schedule. I'm about halfway through the next one at least, so hopefully that'll be up soon too, but now I have nothing premade, so everyone is reading as I finish rather than a month or two behind. Fingers crossed I don't hit a wall like the last one lol, but I've actually got a plan for where this is going, I just have to write it when I find time. Next chapter to come, happy holidays.