The First Meeting

Morning on Planet Vegeta. Toushiro awoke groggy from his sleep, only to see Vegeta already up.

Vegeta: "Get up. It's time for your first meeting."

Toushiro: "Oh joy."

Toushiro slowly got out of bed and eventually got himself ready. He wore his captains outfit so as to identify himself. He didn't have a choice really. All of the ambassadors were suppose to ware the traditional attire of their home planet. Makes it easier to identify who was who and from where. Breakfast was brought to them in their rooms but Toushiro didn't really have an appetite right now.

Vegeta: "You should eat, Toushiro. You'll need your strength."

Toushiro: "I'm not very hungry right now, Vegeta."

Vegeta: "What's the matter? Home sick already?"

Toushiro: "No, that's not it. I just feel so insecure here. It makes me nervous."

The prince stopped eating and looked at the boy. He knew that Toushiro didn't feel very safe here, but he had no idea that the boy felt THIS unsafe.

Toushiro: "I feel so out of place here. Nearly all of the other ambassadors keep giving me these glares. And Salmu and Ebebu... They're the worst. Every time I look at them, they give me these nasty glares. Almost like they want to hurt me or something..."

Vegeta: "... ..."

Toushiro: "And then there's your father. It's my first day here and I'm already treading on thin ice with him."

Vegeta: "... ..."

Toushiro: "I just feel alone here."

Vegeta just watched as Toushiro tried to make himself eat. His first day and he's already overwhelmed. To be honest, the saiyan knew that eventually the boy'd get overwhelmed from everything here, but so soon? Toushiro maybe a prodigy and mature for his age, but he was experiencing a lot of new things all at once. Vegeta suddenly smiled to himself and got up from his seat.

Vegeta: "Wait here... I got a surprise for you."

Toushiro watched as the saiyan prince walked of with a new set of clothes he had dug out. A moment later and Toushiro smiled in shock and surprise. Vegeta stepped out waring a custom made Soul Reaper outfit! It was a normal Soul Reaper uniform waist up, but the other half was different. Unlike the loose garments that Toushiro wore, the part below the waist was more 'tight' so that Vegeta wouldn't have any problems running or fighting.

Vegeta: "Well?... What do you think? I had it custom made for me."

Toushiro: "Wow! I didn't know you had that! You look like a real Soul Reaper now!"

Vegeta: "See... You're not alone here."

Now Toushiro knew why Vegeta changed into his new uniform. To show the young captain that he wasn't as alone as he things he is.

Vegeta: "And don't get used to this, Toushiro! I'm not going to ware this all the time until I'm dead. Got it?"

Toushiro: "Ha heh, yes sir."

Vegeta: "Good, now eat."

The young captain seemed to feel better now as he started eating again. Vegeta decided to keep the Soul Reaper outfit on for the day so that Toushiro feels comfortable... And to spite his father. Finally, it was time to head to the meeting room. Tomack asked if they wanted him to escort them but Vegeta said that he knew where to go. Toushiro followed Vegeta up until they were just one corner away from the meeting room. That was when the prince told the young captain to walk in front of him. When they turned the corner, they saw that most of the ambassadors and their bodyguards were already there. Only a few were still missing. Everyone stood and waited as the remaining guests arrived. Then, the king himself arrived. When he saw Vegeta in the Soul Reaper uniform, he hissed in disapproval. Once he was at the door, he turned around to face all of the ambassadors.

King Vegeta: "Welcome all. I hope you all had a comfortable nights rest and a great meal this morning. Now... Let us get down to business. Ambassadors, please, follow me."

As the king walked into the meeting room, all of the other ambassadors followed him in, except for Toushiro. The boy had noticed that all of the other bodyguards were staying outside in the aisle and he quickly looked over at Vegeta.

Vegeta: "Sorry Toushiro, but bodyguards are not allowed inside."

Toushiro: "But..."

Toushiro looked inside the room as everyone were slowly getting ready for their first meeting. The child prodigy was extremely nervous about being on his own in there as many of the other ambassadors were still angry about a child being amongst them. Plus, he had no idea as to what he was suppose to do in there! And then there was Salmu and Ebebu! Those two were the ones that Toushiro was really scared of for they had both casted him murderous looks every time the boy looked at them! Vegeta knew what was scaring his young captain and quickly eased him.

Vegeta: "It's ok. If you get into any trouble, just yell for me. I'll be right out here."

Toushiro nodded before slowly walking into the meeting room alone. The doors were closing behind him and he looked back at Vegeta before the doors closed. That was it. He was on his own now.

King Vegeta: "Please take your seat, Earth Ambassador."

Toushiro did what he was told and sat down in his seat. After he did, he slowly looked around the table. All of the other ambassadors were staring at him with cold, judging eyes as saiyan servants attended to the guests and their king. The young captain slumped down into his chair a little, feeling completely insecure!

King Vegeta: "Now then... Let us start by introducing ourselves."

One by one the ambassadors all introduced themselves to the others. Toushiro tried to pay attention, but Salmu kept giving him the evil eye.

King Vegeta: "And now, Earth Ambassador... Please introduce yourself."

The whole room went quiet. All eyes stared at the Soul Reaper with cold eyes. Toushiro was trying his hardest to keep his shaking, fear struck body under control. Somehow... He managed to force himself to speak.

Toushiro: "Uh ok... I-I'm-"

Salmu: "Stand up runt!"

Ebebu: "Were you not paying attention to the real ambassadors, boy!"

Toushiro wanted to say something to Ebebu, but he was too scared. So the boy stood up and introduced himself as best as he could.

Toushiro: "M-My name's Toushiro Hitsugaya and I-I'm the.. The Captain of Squad 10 of the 13 Court Guard Squads."

Toushiro waited for the king to say something as he panted nervously. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as the saiyan king looked over him. There was a look in his eyes, one that Vegeta seemed to share as he had the same look whenever he was deep in thought. Just then...

King Vegeta: "Tell us... What are you exactly?"

The moment the king spoke to him, Toushiro felt like his heart was going to stop. He did his best to answer the king, not wanting to upset him again.

Toushiro: "Uh... I'm a Soul Reaper, also known as a 'Death God' to some. We are souls that have supernatural powers and cannot be seen by most living beings unless they have high spiritual awareness. The only reason why you can see me right now is because I'm in an artificial body that we call a Gigai."

King Vegeta: "What does a 'Soul Reaper' do?"

The young captain knew that the king would take some serious interest in him once he had discovered that Vegeta was with him.

Toushiro: "Soul Reapers are the personification of death. Our job is to send spirits to the Soul Society, or the afterlife, in order to maintain a balance of souls between it and the material world, and to exorcise evil spirits. Because of these duties, Soul Reapers possess supernatural abilities."

King Vegeta: "What is a 'Soul Reapers' main weapon?"

Toushiro hesitated in answering that question. He didn't feel comfortable about having to tell everyone, especially Salmu, Ebebu and King Vegeta, what his primary way of attack and defense was... But he had to.

Toushiro: "Our primary weapon is our swords which are called Zanpakuto. Each Soul Reaper carries a Zanpakuto, and each Zanpakuto is unique: as the swords are both reflections of a Soul Reaper's soul and power, and sentient beings unto themselves. The Zanpakuto's name is also the name of the living spirit that empowers the sword and lends its strength to the Soul Reaper who wields it. These beings can vary greatly in appearance and have their own distinct personalities which match their owner's. Normally, the Zanpakuto spirit can only be seen by its wielder. Otherwise, they dwell in their own 'inner world', created within the minds of the Soul Reaper who wield them. As such, each of our inner world is drastically different from another's and is unique to themselves. A Zanpakuto's spirit can bring its wielder into its inner world, though we can voluntarily achieve this simply by meditation."

King Vegeta: "Is the sword you have tied onto your back, your 'Zanpakuto'?"

Toushiro: "Y-Yes sir."

King Vegeta: "And what is your power?"

Toushiro: "Uh... Must I answer, your majesty?"

King Vegeta: "Yes."

Toushiro had to be given credit for trying at least.

Toushiro: "Uh... Ice, sir... I wield the strongest ice-element Zanpakuto."

After he finished his answer, Toushiro cast a quick glance over at the other ambassadors. Salmu and Ebebu were looking at each other. Whatever they were thinking, Toushiro knew that it wasn't good. Then the king looked at the boy with a very serious face and Toushiro accidentally spoke to Vegeta's father without permission.

Toushiro: "Did I say something wrong, your majesty?"

King Vegeta: "No but there is something that I want you to tell me... And that is... What is my son to you?"

Toushiro knew that eventually the king would ask him about Vegeta, but he was hoping that it would have been later.

Toushiro: "He's my second lieutenant. But he's more than that... He's my best, best friend! My whole life's been changed by him. No matter what he's always there, ready to lend me his strength and wisdom at a moments notice. If I need someone to talk to, he's right there and ready to listen. If I need guidance, he'll show me the right path. If I'm in danger, he's right there in a heart beat and ready to defend me! ... ... And if I feel scared or lonely... He'll let me snuggle up against him until I feel better. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I were to lose Vegeta."

Just then the king shot up to his feet in a rage!

King Vegeta: "You have no right in addressing a prince that way! You should be calling him 'Prince Vegeta'! And why isn't he a 'captain'! The rank of 'lieutenant' is insulting!"

As the king moved towards Toushiro, a number of the ambassadors also joined in. They all started to try and corner Toushiro against the wall but, fortunately for Toushiro, they were all next to the doors and just as Toushiro started backing away, the doors came flying open! A servant came in with some news for the ambassadors!

Servant: "I beg your pardon, your majesty, but there is an issue that needs you and the ambassadors attention right away!"

King Vegeta: "What is it?"

Servant: "My lord, Prince Vegeta has just informed me that all of the bodyguards are in a huge fight! We did everything we could but we can't stop them!"

At that moment, Vegeta came walking in and stood between his father and the ambassadors and Toushiro.

King Vegeta: "This meeting is over for now! Everyone, come with me!"

And just like that, all of the ambassadors followed the king and servant to where the fight between all of the bodyguards was going on. Vegeta and Toushiro were the only ones who didn't follow. The young captain looked up at Vegeta in confusion. Just then, the saiyan prince looked over at him with a smile and winked at his captain! A smile slowly formed as Toushiro began to realize what had happened. Vegeta had heard what was going on inside the room and somehow had gotten all of the bodyguards to start fighting!

Vegeta: "You ok?"

Toushiro: "Yeah, I am... Thank you, Vegeta."

Vegeta: "Come on, you've had a rough day. Let's head back to our room."

Toushiro: "Sounds great... And when we get there, could you explain to me what I'm suppose to do at these meetings?"

Vegeta: "Deal."

And they headed back to their room alone.