"Toushiro!"
Hitsugaya was standing in the light of the newly risen moon, his shadow stretching across the small field in front of the corridor of squad 10's building. His hair stood up straight and still, the wind had stopped and the air was stagnant. It seemed a lot like his first night as captain…
The air had been calm, just like now, the night, about 75 years ago. Hitsugaya's new squad had received notice of an approaching Hollow in the Eastern region of Soul Society and were dispatched to the area to take care of it. He was accompanied by his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, whom he had just met a few hours before. Noticing the size and ability of the Hollow, they split up to take it down from different sides, however, and had hoped it wouldn't notice. Something must have tipped it off, because when Hitsugaya had entered the clearing with Hyorinmaru released and prepared, he discovered Rangiku in its grasp, defenseless and undoubtedly unconscious. Not having paused to mull over what had happened, Hitsugaya jumped into action, just to be struck down by something. What was it? He had gone flying to the ground, Hyorinmaru returning to the zanpakuto's "sealed form". Someone who must have saved Rangiku while he lay dazed in the dirt. That someone's voice rang out… "….. Katukai!"
"Toushiro! Where'd you go, you silly little- Oh, there you are!"
Miyoko's voice snapped Hitsugaya back to reality. Miyoko's voice!
"You!" he cried. "You were there that night, when Matsumoto was captured."
She smiled slyly, "So you've finally realized? Gee, it took you long enough. I thought you'd never figure it out. I decided to wait until it was the same time that it had been that night to see if that would ring a bell."
Hitsugaya's eyes grew wide. She was the one who'd saved Matsumoto. The one who'd knocked him out of the way when the Hollow almost used Cero on him. He owed his life to her. But, that was 75 years ago. Even he'd grown a little since then. Why was she still the same?
"I see, I've got a lot of explaining to do," she said, leaning against the wall.
Hitsugaya smirked, "Damn straight."