Recap:

Toshiro and Kusaka had a nice conversation about Toshiro graduating at the same time as Kusaka. Also, we find out that Kusaka and Toshiro have the same Zanpakuto spirit, Hyorinmaru, and they've been very cautious to not let anyone know about this secret. Toshiro trained with Kusaka to teach him more about Hyorinmaru. Also, while Toshiro was training with him, he mastered Bankai. Kusaka is still at the same place, but he has a better hold on Hyorinmaru now.

Graduation Ceremony

Toshiro and Kusaka stood next to each other side-by-side in the crowd of future Soul Reapers. Kusaka was being very nervous and freaking out over the fact that both of them might not be able to be in the same squad. Toshiro, on the other hand, was getting irritated by hearing Kusaka constant rambles and he didn't give a damn as to what was going to happen.

"Kusaka, would you shut the hell up? You're getting to be very annoying." Toshiro finally snapped. "Whatever that is going to happen, we can always see each other and we're going to stay friends. Do me the favor of shutting up."

"Damn, Toshiro. Do you have to be so cold about everything?" Kusaka whined. Actually, he was expressing more of a pouting behavior. "I wonder if your attitude has something to do with your hair and eye color. I would also say Zanpakuto, but I don't think that'll work out there." Kusaka gave Toshiro a playful nudge as well as winked at him to tease Toshiro.

'Yeah, yeah, same Zanpakuto and whatever. Only difference being that Kusaka's Hyorinmaru is a light purple and mine is the same color as my eyes, teal...' Toshiro mentally sighed.

"Attention, all future Soul Reapers." The voice boomed so loud that everyone stopped doing whatever they were doing and stood quietly. Such a booming voice could only belong to Head Captain Yamamoto and he was standing with the captains and lieutenants of every squad. Rangiku recognized Toshiro in the crowd despite of his shortness probably because he was the only one with white hair. She started waving at him hoping Toshiro would see, which in fact he did.

'Great... Even Rangiku spotted me... The last thing I would want is be on the same squad as her.' Toshiro ignores her and turns around to pay more attention to Yamamoto. Yamamoto was announcing who was in what squad. Apparently, Toshiro missed whatever the Head Captain said in the beginning. 'I don't even know what's going on. Which squad is this?'

"This is the 9th Squad." Kusaka randomly says to Toshiro. Toshiro looks at him giving a blank look. Kusaka chuckles, "I know you weren't paying attention. The Head Captain said he was going to announce the squad, position, and name. I think he said something else too, but I wasn't paying much attention." Toshiro looks away, going back to his normal irritable attitude.

"Now, we are on the last squad. Midori Akiyo, the Captain of the 10th squad, can announce the new members' names and welcome them into her squad." The Head Captain gave permission to a woman with soft green hair and purple eyes to begin announcing the names.

"My third seated officer will be Toshiro Hitsugaya with his Zanpakuto, Hyorinmaru." As soon as Captain Akiyo announced Toshiro's Zanpakuto's name, Toshiro and Kusaka both exchange glances with worried looks. "Also, Sojiro Kusaka will be my fourth seated officer and his Zanpakuto is..." Kusaka closes his eyes fearing that Toshiro's and Kusaka's secret has been found out. "Oh, wait... Sojiro Kusaka's Zanpakuto isn't on here. That's strange. Anyways, I'll give the final announcement from the Head Captain. Congratulations on becoming a Soul Reaper. Now report to your squad captains immediately."

Toshiro and Kusaka let out a sigh of relief and both of them say simultaneously, "Wow... That was close."

Toshiro looks at Kusaka with a serious, but concerned look on his face."What are you going to do, Kusaka? Everyone knows that I have Hyorinmaru now, but how can we hide it this time?"

"I don't know. Let's just hope they don't ask us anytime soon. If they do find out, then we'll find a way to get out of trouble." Kusaka answered Toshiro's question very calmly. "Come on. Captain Akiyo is waiting for us."

Tenth Squad Barracks

Captain Akiyo was in the middle of doing paperwork when she heard a knock on the door. 'Oh, that must be the new squad members.' She thought as she was getting ready to greet them. "Come in."

The door opened to reveal two boys. One was a small white haired boy with teal eyes that was about 4' 5". The other was much taller and he had purple eyes and black hair. He seemed to have more manners than Toshiro and he bowed down saying, "My name is Sojiro Kusaka, your new fourth seat, and this is my friend, Toshiro Hitsugaya." Kusaka noticed that Toshiro wasn't bowing down and elbowed him in the stomach.

"Ugh! What the hell, Kusaka?" Toshiro scowled at Kusaka, who was pointing to Captain Akiyo. "Uh... I'm your third seat. Pleased to meet you, Captain Akiyo."

Captain Akiyo smiled, seeing the close bond that they shared. "Well, alright then. Now that's done and over with, let's look at your skills to see whether you deserve your current position. Follow me." Captain Akiyo started walking, motioning Toshiro and Kusaka to follow.

As soon as they reached a grassy field that was right next to the squad barracks, Captain Akiyo stopped to ask Kusaka a question. "Kusaka, what's the name of your Zanpakuto?"

Toshiro and Kusaka stopped dead in their tracks and had guilt written on their faces. "My Zanpakuto's name is Hyorinmaru. Toshiro and I both obtained Hyorinmaru at the same time."

When they shared this fact about each other to Captain Akiyo, Head Captain Yamamoto happened to hear it as well as he was walking to greet Toshiro Hitsugaya and give them their Soul Reaper uniforms.