Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.

Toshiro fidgeted, hands smoothing down the white shirt that came with his gigai. Apparently Urahara thought that it would, in his words, "match his hair." The moron. Toshiro could feel his intelligence lowering the longer he remained in the Human World. Be it his interactions with Urahara or his soon-to-be talk with his captain and Masaki, Toshiro knew that he would come out of his mission with anger issues or a high level of patience. Probably both. And when he got back to Soul Society, he could guarantee that Matsumoto would only aggravate his problems.

Deeming his clothes suitable for the long-overdue talk, Toshiro took a deep breath and prepared himself. He had been currently standing outside of Masaki and the captain's place of living for the past ten minutes. Although not one to waver, Toshiro had found announcing his presence to be difficult. He was filled with doubts. There had to be a something larger at play than the captain falling for a woman and abandoning his post. The gigai was the first clue. Toshiro could still find no reason for its presence. He was, admittedly, afraid of finding out the reason. Before, Toshiro convinced himself of his mission's ease. Find the captain, bring him back, and never have to worry about the captain's test. Now his plan was teetering on the edge, most likely to fall over once he found out the truth. And that scared him.

But he must not falter. He came to the Human World for the truth, and it was residing in the house in front of him. He could not allow his own worries to deter him.

Curling his fingers into a fist, he knocked on the door, more forcibly than he intended. But that was the only indication to his nerves. He had schooled his face and body language and was prepared. Toshiro could hear footsteps approaching. They were loud and heavy, meaning that they were most likely not Masaki's. The captain then. He was ready.

The door flew open, the captain's head poking out. Toshiro sucked in a breath. So far, he had only seen him from afar, his investigation focused on Masaki. The captain looked about the same. His hair was messy and he had grown some stubble on his chin, but there wasn't any significant outward difference. But Toshiro could tell that he had changed. He seemed…lighter, happier. As a captain, so many people's lives were placed in his hands. That was why Toshiro was adamantly refusing to accept the captain position. Having to only focus on himself, Masaki, and the child growing inside her made the captain much more focused and relaxed at the same time. Before, there was always a tiredness to him that he hid well. Now, there was nothing. It was jarring.

Before Toshiro could say anything, the captain broke out into a grin. Rushing out of the door, he spread out his arms. "Shiro!" he yelled, lunging at Toshiro before he could move out of the way and picking him up. Ignoring Toshiro's flailing, the captain started to analyze him. "Oh, Shiro! You haven't changed a bit! Still on the short side, I see?" He babbled. "And there's that infamous scowl of yours! What are you doing here?"

Toshiro kicked him, hitting him in the gut and causing the captain to kneel over and release him. Stepping back, Toshiro made a point of not answering him while he tried to fix his now ruffled clothes. Despite appearing to be annoyed, on the inside he was secretly happy. So the captain hadn't changed that much. That was good. Toshiro could deal with that.

"Didn't Masaki tell you?" Toshiro questioned, "I've been looking for you."

The captain's smile fell away and his disposition changed, becoming one of utmost seriousness. "Masaki did," he answered, "but I wanted to hear it from you, Third Seat Hitsugaya. You shouldn't have come."

Toshiro bristled. He was risking exile. He was risking his position, his life. If he got caught then he would never be able to return. He briefly thought of Momo. He would never see her again. He was doing all of this for the captain. The least he could do was show some gratitude.

"Why shouldn't I have come?" he bit out, disgruntled. "I came here with the intention of finding out the truth and the first thing you do is chastise me, like I'm some child. Masaki told me that you would tell me what happened, and so here I am. Should it be something that poses a threat, then I will evaluate and act appropriately. But do not brush me aside."

The tension was palpable. Toshiro had forgotten how easily the captain could get under his skin. But he would not back down. Not when he was risking so much. The captain maybe hiding out in the Human World, away from the repercussions, but Toshiro would not have that same kindness.

"Calm down boys. We're all friends here," a voice called from inside the house. Toshiro and the captain turned to see Masaki appearing from a bedroom upstairs. She leaned against the wall, smiling. "Hello, Toshiro."

Toshiro dipped his head in return. Obviously, Masaki was the more approachable one in this situation, and the one most likely to reveal the information he desired. Looking up at the captain, he could see the lightness from before return. His body language loosening, he moved away from the door, motioning for Toshiro to enter.

Walking inside, Toshiro gave a quick glance around his surroundings. He had only gotten glimpses of the house from when he was looking through the windows. It was quaint. From what he could see, the rooms and hallways were small but still large enough to allow for comfort. The interior of the house had just as much color as the exterior, but it was less appalling, exuding warmth. This would be a good place to raise a family, Toshiro thought idly as he focused on Masaki's stomach. Now he could see why they lived there.

"So, you came for answers?" the captain asked from behind him, closing and locking the door. He seemed subdued, most likely dreading the upcoming conversation. "Why don't we sit down?" he suggested, motioning to the dining room where Toshiro had seen the two of them sitting previously. Moving forward and taking a seat, he waited for the couple to take their own seats. Silence reigned for a moment before Toshiro spoke.

"What happened?"

Captain Shiba sighed. "Do you remember the murders that I was investigating in Naruki City?" he asked. At Toshiro's nod, he continued. "Well, it turned out to be a Hollow. However, this Hollow seemed to be saturated with the reiastu of a Shinigami, and was much more intelligent than the average Hollow. I was fighting it when I was attacked and injured."

Toshiro frowned. "Was it another Hollow?" When Captain Shiba nodded his head no, his frown deepened. "If it wasn't a Hollow," he pondered, "then the only either beings strong enough to injure you would have to be a Shinigami or a Quincy." At this, he looked at Masaki.

Straightening, she began her side of the story. "No Quincy attacked him. We were keeping out of the conflict, but when I felt Isshin's reiastu fluctuate, I decided that I would help him. Together we defeated the Hollow, but not before it bit me."

Deciding to ignore the part about the Hollow, Toshiro focused on the attack on the captain. If no Quincy attacked him, then that meant that a Shinigami had. And that caused the situation surrounding the captain's disappearance seem much more ominous.

Realizing that the captain had begun to speak again, Toshiro focused on him. "That Hollow had the ability to cause hollowfication in its victims," he said, "And it began to change Masaki. However, she would not have survived it. That was when Kisuke appeared. He told me that I could save her if I gave up my Shinigami powers and connected our lives together. I did." The captain looked over at Masaki and took a hold of her hand, smiling. "After a few months, we began to see each other. One thing led to another and here we are, with a baby on the way."

Toshiro was stunned. If the captain had given up his powers, then that explained why he could not contact or go back to Soul Society. That also explained the gigai. The captain would not have been able to see Toshiro. And that was because he was…

"You're human?"

Captain Shiba nodded.

"I can't go back there," he said.

Toshiro didn't know where to go from here. He couldn't take the captain back to Soul Society. He wasn't a Shinigami anymore. Toshiro's mission was a failure before he even decided to go to the Human World. There was nothing he could do. Struggling on what to do next, Toshiro realized that in his panic he had forgotten about the Shinigami who had attacked Captain Shiba.

It had to have been a very strong Shinigami to injure a captain, Toshiro thought, glad to focus his mind on something. That meant that the Shinigami had to be a higher-up, one who probably knew about Captain Shiba's mission and sought to get rid of him. And that led to an even darker realization, one that crushed him.

"And I can't go back there either," Toshiro said. Captain Shiba looked pained. "I told you that you shouldn't have come here, Toshiro," he replied softly.

Toshiro knew too much. He had uncovered information that had been hidden for a reason. Someone had tried to kill Captain Shiba. Most likely he was left alone due to his human status. Toshiro was different. If he returned back to Seireitei with the information he had, most likely that Shinigami would try to silence him. Be it through killing Toshiro or threatening the ones he cared for. Momo immediately sprang to mind. Toshiro would never do anything that would put Momo in danger, and that's what would happen should he return.

Toshiro now knew why some things should be left hidden. The still panicking part of him idly thought that at least he wouldn't have to worry about being exiled, but the analytic part of him was already looking at where he would go from here. Soul Society was out of the question, and he had no place in the Human World. He could start a life here, but his physical stature and appearance would cause problems with the government of this place. He would be considered a child and would have to deal with officials. He would need identification, a home, possibly a job, money, the list was endless. He briefly considered going to the Urahara Shoten, but discarded. He wasn't that desperate. Yet.

"Why don't you stay with us?"

Toshiro flung his head towards Masaki at such a speed that if he were human he would most likely be in pain. But the words she had uttered had him transfixed. Masaki had been quiet for most of the conversation, Toshiro had almost forgotten that she was there, if not for the constant reiastu being emitted by the baby.

"What?" he responded, unsure. Masaki had a gentle look in her eyes as she gazed at him. "You are a victim as much as we are," she responded, "and you have no place to go. Isshin and I had already discussed this once we came to the same conclusion you just arrived at. Despite what you say, you are still a child, and I can't in good conscience allow you to roam alone. The house has plenty of space, and I could use a pair of hands to help me until the baby comes. What do you say?"

Toshiro looked at the captain only to see him nod in approval. So, they were in agreement then. Toshiro thought about the possible ramifications should he accept their proposition. Nothing would come out of it if he said no. They could go their separate ways and he would find his own path in this world. He was tempted to say no. They had a baby to prepare for and they didn't need someone else to interfere. He wasn't needed.

But they had offered and, the more pragmatic side of him suggested, this would serve as an opportunity. Toshiro could use this to find out more about the traitor Shinigami, as well as stay close to protect the captain and Masaki should they return to finish the job. Also, Toshiro could learn more about the baby and why it's reiastu levels were so high. If a Shinigami had been working with a Hollow that seemed like a Shinigami, then the hybrid infant was in danger.

They needed protection.

Perhaps he was needed after all.

"Okay."