Chapter 2
The land was covered in ice, peaks of violent looking prisms scattered around. A boy stood in the middle and amazingly before him was a dragon composed entirely of ice. "Why have you called me forth Hitsugaya Toushiro?" The dragon addressed the boy with long spiky platinum blonde/white hair and startling emerald eyes. He had a serious expression on his face, but that was usually the case with the 10th division captain. He may be the youngest of all the captains, yet he overcompensated with his cold demeanour and vast wisdom. "A war is coming Hyorinmaru, I need all of your strength"
"Are you not strong enough already Toushiro? You are captain class, what more do you want?" Hitsugaya looked towards the ice beneath his feet, the realisation slammed into him harder than a fist into his gut. The truth was simple and one he should've faced a long time ago, "no I am not strong enough. I had trouble handling the arrancar in the real world, I have no chance against the espada or Aizen himself. Please teach me how to get stronger, I am your humble student," Hitsugaya bowed before the form of his Zanpakuto. The dragon stood motionless and was about to say something when Hitsugaya was dragged back to reality. "Hitsugaya taichou! I brought you some food," Hitsugaya opened his eyes and had trouble holding back his anger at his lieutenant. "Matsumoto! Why do you always have to disturb me when I am meditating!"
"Oh is that what you were doing, seemed to me like you were sleeping on the job"
"Go do you paper work!" His temple was throbbing, he knew she meant well but couldn't he have got a sombre underling, someone more like himself instead of a lazy yet loud, big breasted imbecile! Rangiku Matsumoto pouted, she never listened to her captain when he dismissed her and now was no exception. She leaned forward oh his table, resting her face on the palm of her hand, placing the elbow against the table for support. "Captain have you heard the latest news? Apparently there has been the weird unexplained disappearance of someone in the real world." Hitsugaya who was trying his best to ignore her and her indecent display of her cleavage looked towards her now, the years leading up to Aizens treachery were littered with unexplained disappearances. "Who?"
"Ah I never listened that intently. But apparently it has all the big cheeses in some discomfort. Oh yes that reminds me, Commander Yammamoto requested all the captains go to his first division immediately. Apparently he has something of the 'utmost importance' to inform you all over."
"Matsumoto why on earth didn't you tell me that straight off! Get out of the way, fool!" Hitsugaya stood up, placing his sword back in its sheath and slinging it on his back he flash stepped away, leaving a stunned Rangiku on his table.
"I have called you all here to inform you that Urahara Kisuke has gone missing. He was situated in the real world after banishment for his crimes. What they were is irrelevant, however this is a grave blow. This pains me to say but the ex captain of the 12th division was an extremely talented Shinagami and also extremely educated. He has knowledge that, if it falls into the wrong hands, could mean drastic consequences for Soul Society. As such I am ordering a search and rescue mission for him, do any have questions?"
"I do old man Yama, does this have anything to do with Aizen?" Shunsui stepped forward, the 8th division captain had a habit of not showing due respect in the appropriate circumstances. Must be all the daytime Sake drinking and sleeping he indulged in. "I cannot confirm it has anything to do with the traitor Aizen, however it would not surprise me if that is the case. I must remind all here it was Urahara Kisuke that created the Hyoguku and eventually failed in hiding it. The artefact is still in the hands of Aizen though his defeat may have been a major blow in his plans, however he may have kidnapped Urahara in order to find out the hidden depths of the artefact. This is why it is imperative we find him as quickly as possible, hence I am ordering three captains to travel to the real world." A gasp went up in the room, Captain Ukitake stepped forward, forgetting his place and formality. "three captains, captain commander? The gotei 13 has yet not replaced all of the treacherous captains, you are weakening it more by sending more captains to search for one who was exiled from Soul Society!"
"Silence!" Yamamotto slammed his cane on the ground and Ukitake fell silent, all be it in a stumbling manner. "Aizen has his top four Espada with him, only captain level stand even the slightest chance of defeating these beings of immense power! Another reason I am ordering the three captains to take whomever they deem necessary and recon with Ichigo Kurosaki in the real world, his strength is needed. The three captains going are Captain Kuchiki, Captain Toushiro and on special request from himself, Captain Kenpachi. You make take your lieutenants if you deem it necessary but I forbid the taking of anyone in lower rank. They will just cause a distraction, their power levels insignificant. Dismissed." Hitsugaya stood stunned at this, he was going to go up against the Espada even when he knew he wasn't in their league yet, he looked over to see how the other captains took this. Zaraki was smiling, obviously the bloodthirty captain of the 11th division would love to involve himself in combat with such powerful adversaries. Hitsugaya next looked over at Byakuya, he seemed as unperturbed as ever, did the man ever show any emotion? Was he as fearful as Hitsugaya but not showing it? Then it hit him, Byakuya had already encountered and bested an Espada when he went to Hueco Mundo. Hitsugaya shook himself, fear would only paralyse him, he knew what needed to be done.