Disclaimer - I do not own Bleach

Chapter Ten - First Day

The sun hadn't even risen yet when Toushirou opened his eyes on the day that he was scheduled to begin classes at the Academy. The boy groaned under his breath and sat up. The fact that darkness met his gaze didn't really sit well with the boy however the white haired youth fully realized that he wasn't likely to be able to go back to sleep.

There were simply too many thoughts bouncing around in his mind.

Heaving a sigh Toushirou got to his feet and quickly folded up his blanket and futon, placing them back in the closet. Grabbing the uniform that Ukitake had provided for him the kid quickly got dressed for his first day of class.

The blue and white uniform resembled the shihakushos that the Shinigami wore, aside from the coloring. As he tied the sash of his pants Toushirou's teal eyes shifted to the spot where he had left the sword. Ukitake had told him that he would have to leave it in his room but the boy was reluctant to do so.

FLASHBACK

"Here's your uniform Toushirou," Ukitake said, offering the boy a bundle of folding up clothing. "Classes begin tomorrow and there's something that I wish to discuss with you."

"What is it sir?" Toushirou asked as he accepted the bundle of clothes.

"I'm afraid that you're going to have to leave your sword in your room," Ukitake said, hoping that the boy took this news well. He knew that Toushirou was attached to the sword and hoped that he wouldn't protest about the order to leave it behind when he attended classes.

"Why?" Toushirou asked, confusion evident in his teal eyes. He was never without the sword and didn't really like the thoughts of leaving it behind.

"Only those in the final year are supposed to have their zanpaktou," Ukitake said, his voice kind as he gazed at the child.

Toushirou thought about the man's words for a few minutes before he nodded his head in understanding. He was by no means happy about the prospect of leaving his sword behind, because he felt better when it was nearby. But he did understand Ukitake's reasoning and would abide by his wishes.

"I understand," the boy said in a quiet voice.

END FLASHBACK

"I really do understand," Toushirou thought to himself as he sat down at the small desk. "But that doesn't mean that I have to like it."

Reaching out Toushirou pulled forward the single book that was resting on the desk. Ukitake had given him the book about kidou techniques so that he could do a little independent study before beginning the Academy. And, even though the boy had already finished the book, he began to thumb back through it.

He just needed something to kill the time before class was scheduled to begin.

After a couple of hours of reading back through the kidou book Toushirou got to his feet. The boy spent a couple of minutes stretching and then made his way over to the door. It wasn't yet time for class but Toushirou had decided that it was time for him to leave his room.

He could always find something else to do in order to burn some time. And he was tired of reading the same material and needed something else to occupy his mind.

So, with one last look at the sword that was propped up in the corner, Toushirou left his room. The boy made his way downstairs and, without really having a destination in mind, made his way toward the Head Captain's office.

When he arrived at the office Toushirou knocked politely and then waited for a response.

And he didn't have to wait long. "Enter."

Reaching out Toushirou slid the door open and stepped inside the office. His teal eyes surveyed the room and he found Ukitake sitting on the sofa, along with his best friend Captain Kyouraku. Both of them were holding cups and Toushirou could guess that Ukitake's held tea while Kyouraku's most likely contained sake.

Each man's respective drink of choice.

"I'm sorry," Toushirou said, not having expected Ukitake to have a visitor.

"It's no big deal kid," Kyouraku said, offering the white haired youth a broad smile. "Come on in and join us."

Toushirou still looked doubtful but never the less made his way across the office. He stopped a few feet from the sofa and gazed at Ukitake. "I just came to tell you that I'm leaving."

"It's still a little early," Ukitake said, gazing at the kid in an appraising sort of way.

"I know," Toushirou said. "But I'm going to go for a walk before I go to the Academy. I need to clear my head."

"Alright," Ukitake said, offering the boy a smile. "Have a good day Toushirou."

The white haired youth nodded, bowed to the two captains, and then turned to leave. He quickly made his way across the office and back out into the corridor. "Have a good day," he muttered to himself as he left Squad One.

After departing from Squad One Toushirou made his way across the Seireitei. He was traveling in the direction of the Academy but wasn't really in any great hurry to get there. He had plenty of time after all and a lot on his mind that he needed to sort through.

Unfortunately his inner musings would have to be put on hold.

"Shiro-chan!"

Toushirou cringed as he heard this nickname that he was beginning to loathe. Why did so many people insist on using it? Okay, so it was only Ukitake and Momo but it seemed like a great deal more.

Turning around Toushirou focused his teal eyes on Momo, who was making her way toward him. "I've asked you not to call me that Momo."

Completely ignoring his displeasure Momo offered her friend a smile. "So today's your first day of class! Are you excited?"

Toushirou shrugged. "Not really."

He wanted to learn how to use the powers that he possessed because he was hopeful that it might help him remember his past. But he wasn't exactly excited about sitting in class with a large group of other students.

Crowds made him uncomfortable.

"You'll do fine," Momo said, thinking that perhaps he was nervous.

Toushirou shrugged again.

"Come on," Momo said, seizing him by the hand. "You can walk to the Academy with me."

"So much for sorting through my thoughts," Toushirou thought to himself as Momo pulled him along. With a sigh he gave up his attempts at thought and simply followed along behind the strange girl.

She made absolutely no sense to him.

The moment that they passed through the gate that led into the Academy, Toushirou pulled his hand free from Momo's grasp. Gazing around, the white haired youth watched the other students who were milling about.

They all appeared to be a great deal older than he was.

"This isn't going to go well," Toushirou thought to himself. But of course that didn't mean that he was willing to back out now. The youth was determined to learn to control his powers and then confront the past that his mind didn't want to remember.

"First day," he muttered as he walked forward.

A/N - and here's another chapter! Toushirou starts his career at the Academy. Hope that you enjoyed, please leave a review and tell me what you thought.