Captain of Squad 10

A few days later and Toushiro awoke. At first, he didn't recognize where he was. But although his eyes were still half-closed, he was finally able to make out where he was. He was in one of Squad 4's recovery rooms. He was the only one in the room. He had a window to his left and saw that there was sunlight shinning through the curtains. Then, he heard a familiar voice.

Yamamoto: "Well... You've awakened at last, Toushiro Hitsugaya."

Toushiro was more than a little surprised to see the Head-Captain paying him a visit since the old man didn't make it a habit of visiting people in recovery. In fact, as far as Toushiro knew, he was the first one ever to get a visit from Yamamoto personally while in the hospital. As the old man slowly walked over to his bed, Toushiro tried to sit up out of respect. But even trying to sit up was too much. A wave of intense pain shot throughout his entire body and he was forced to lay back down. A quick look at himself revealed that 98% of himself was covered in bandages. He had one big bandage on his right cheek and some wrapped around his head. Everything from under his throat down to his waist was bandaged up. His hands and arms were covered with only random islands of his skin open. And that was all he could see at the moment. He was attached to a heart rate monitor and an IV injector which gave him fluids and painkillers at the same time. His attention when back to his unexpected guest when they gently sat down on the bed next to him.

Yamamoto: "How are you feeling, Hitsugaya?"

Toushiro tried to speak, but couldn't find his voice. He suddenly remembered that Riku Kora had stabbed him in his diaphragm, vocal cords and everything during their fight. It was a miracle that he was breathing on his own right now. It took him a second, but he was finally able to answer with what was probably the most raspiest, gravelly, and hoarsest voice the Head-Captain has ever heard in his entire life.

Toushiro: "I've been better, sir."

Yamamoto chuckled.

Yamamoto: "That you have, Hitsugaya. That you have. I thought I'd let you know in person that you'll be back on your feet after a few weeks."

The youth smiled. He was glad to hear that he'd make a full recovery.

Toushiro: "... What about Vegeta and Rangiku?"

Yamamoto: "They're both fine. Both of them have already taken the initiative in returning Squad 10 back to its original glory."

Toushiro: "Grimmjow and Ulquiorra? What about Levi?... And Goku?... And-"

Yamamoto: "All are fine as well. Captain Levi is assisting in maintaining Squad 10 alongside Matsumoto and Vegeta."

Toushiro laid his head back down in his pillow with a smile. It seemed that everyone who was involved in that all out brawl is ok. But then, he remembered two others.

Toushiro: "What about my little brother and sister?! Are Toboe and Malana ok?!"

Yamamoto quickly held up a hand to calm the young captain down before he did any more damage to himself. He reassured the prodigy with a soft, calm tone.

Yamamoto: "Fine- They are both fine. In fact they came out of this whole ordeal the healthiest of anyone."

Toushiro laid back down with a content sigh.

Toushiro: "Well of course they would... They didn't do anything in the fight... ... As if I wanted them to get involved."

Yamamoto: "Actually, Hitsugaya... They did get involved."

Toushiro could have sworn he had heard that right. Did Toboe and Malana get involved?

Toushiro: "Could you repeat that?"

Yamamoto: "Your little brother Toboe and little sister Malana both fought against Riku Kora."

Toushiro: "... ... That's not a good joke, sir."

Yamamoto: "Ah, it's no joke."

Toushiro's eyes looked away and said "When?..." although his voice had gone out on him for a minute.

Yamamoto: "It happened just after Riku stabbed you in your throat... If you remember, he had merged with a squid-like hollow and was holding you up above him by your neck. With one of his many arms, he ran his blade into you thus was the final injury you sustained before you blacked out. Riku Kora was gonna finish you off and none of us had the strength to stop him. But at that last crucial second, a zanpakuto impaled him in the chest."

Toushiro: "But what's this all got to do with my little brother and sister?"

Yamamoto: "Toboe and Malana were the ones who impaled Kora together. They did it to save you."

Toushiro couldn't help but smile proudly. His little brother and baby sister were both too small and young to even hold a zanpakuto properly. And yet, they both worked together to save their big brother. But now that left a few questions. One of which was...

Toushiro: "So who's Squad 10's new captain?"

Yamamoto: "You are."

Toushiro: "Me? But I didn't kill Riku... Toboe and Malana did."

Yamamoto: "Yes they did but they used your zanpakuto."

Toushiro: "My zanpakuto?"

Yamamoto: "You dropped your zanpakuto just before you blacked out. But what's astonishing is that right after they drove your sword into him, ice suddenly swallowed him up. Toboe and Malana somehow tapped into your zanpakuto's power and used it to kill Kora."

Hearing that was odd. Hyorinmaru was his sword and his sword alone. No one else could use it. But then again it also seemed plausible that his little brother and sister, who both are related to him by blood, were able to get Hyorinmaru to respond to them. Especially since they were using Hyorinmaru to save him.

Toushiro: "So Riku Kora's gone, huh?"

Yamamoto: "Yes. And this whole ordeal has made me rewrite some of the rules on how a captain is chosen. If a captain disappears and returns after a new captain has taken their place, then it'll be up to the squad members to decide whom they want as captain. If there is a situation like the one with you, Kora and your siblings, then the owner of the zanpakuto that kills the current captain is the victor. But if the situation leads to were the current captain is killed with his own sword... *Chuckle* Well, that doesn't count!"

Toushiro: "I was about to say... you better cover every possible twist and turn you can think of... cuz I guarantee they'll come up at some point."

Yamamoto just chuckled. The old man noticed his young captain getting drowsy again, the new dose of painkillers taking affect.

Yamamoto: "Well... I'll get out of here and let you rest, Captain Hitsugaya."

Toushiro just smiled softly and asked the old man nicely if he could open the window for him so that he could get some fresh air. Of course Yamamoto agreed and opened the window for the prodigy. Fresh, perfect air gently flowed through the curtains and into the room. The old man then told Toushiro a little secret.

Yamamoto: "I've never liked the smell of hospital rooms myself. Smells too much of bleach."

Toushiro just smiled softly with a silent chuckle before taking a deep breath. Yamamoto started for the door as the prodigy settled back in to rest. The temperature was so perfect that it alone could loll him back to sleep. But just as he was about to fall asleep, Yamamoto had one more surprise for him.

Yamamoto: "I know you're tired and want to sleep some more... But you have some fans here that have been wanting to see you for some time."

Although drowsy, Toushiro looked at the door just as a little boy and a little girl poked their heads in through the doorway. Toushiro smiled with a single chuckle when he saw that they were his 7 year old brother and 4 1/2 year old sister.

Yamamoto: "Now you two be good and look after your big brother. He's gonna be like this for a little while."

Holding each other's hand, Toboe led Malana into the room and went straight towards the bed. Toboe then picked Malana up and helped her climb onto the bed before he himself climbed on using the covers. Both children carefully crawled over to their big brother and curled up against him on each side. Toushiro just placed an arm around each of them as they carefully laid their heads down on his chest and drifted off to sleep. The young captain sighed and fell asleep with a relaxed smile. Yamamoto smiled and left them all alone. But they weren't really alone. Because they had each other... And the saiyan prince watching them through the window from the roof next door with a smile all his own.

Vegeta: "Rest, Captain Hitsugaya... You've earned it."

The End.