"Renji," Renji looked back to his friend.

He'd come to set her mind at ease a bit to know that the ginger human dude was still alive.

"There was something I wanted to report but obviously couldn't considering the situation." She told him turning from the window.

"What was it?" Renji turned to face her.

"It's about Captain Hitsugaya,"

Renji's eyes widened,

"I didn't see him myself but I felt some strong reatsu while in the world of the living. Going to investigate I found Ichigo unconscious and when he woke he said he met a Hitsugaya and another Shinigami." She reported.

"That is big news," He took a more thoughtful look.

Rukia had two reasons for reporting that. One, it needed to be said, a clue on Hitsugaya was something the Soul Society needed to know and two, it saved Ichigo since he would have to be brought in a questioned.

"I'll get it reported." Renji turned and left.

And the lieutenant did report it. But not just as a formal report.

"What?" Rangiku exclaimed.

"Apparently the orange haired ryoka saw him," Renji told her, "And considering the mess the Soul Society is in at the moment I thought it would be quicker for you to find the guy and question him yourself."

"And I'm assuming you want to come with me." She eyed him.

"Yeah." The red head nodded, "Got some unfinished business with the guy. You question him then I fight him."

She shook her head, "Once squad 11 always squad 11."

Chad Yastora had been both lucky and unlucky with his encounter with Shunsui Kyroaku. On the one had he was unlucky because there was no way he could beat him. The difference in strength was too much but on the other had you could have called him lucky as Shunsui was one of the few who gave him several chances to back down.

But chad couldn't back down. He couldn't back down and face Ichigo. The two had made the promise to fight for each other so Chad could not stop now.

It was the final chance he would get against the 8th captain, something about them man told him that if he failed this time he would not get a second chance. He put everything he had into the punch and it obliterated everything in front of him. It did enough damage to take out countless hollows but there was a moment of dread. He didn't get him…he could sense it.

One of Shunsui's duel blades whistled through the air Chad braced himself but…nothing.

"Hitsugaya." He heard the man speak.

The giant turned to see a small white haired boy hold the blade back with his hands trying hard not to get himself cut. Shunsui jumped back and studied the boy and Chad got his distance too. It'd been nearly a month since anyone last saw the young captain and here he was, stripped of his captain's cloak and looking overall quite…frail. He was skinner, paler his shihacksho torn and his body cut and bruised. He reatsu was barely noticeable but that was explained by the reatsu sealer round his neck.

"Kyroaku," He let his hands flop down by his sides stumbling a bit before looked back to Chad, "Get out of here."

"I'm not sure you know about the situation Hitsugaya," Kyoraku heard him snigger, "But these guys have been charged with the murder of a captain. We gotta bring'em in."

"I would usually see that as a valid reason but the fact is Aizen's not dead," He said bluntly turning to Chad again, "I thought I told you to get going. Get your team, get Rukia and get out of here." He boy ordered low on patience.

"Why are you helping me?" The giant asked.

"There's no time to question-"

"Not dead?" Kyoraku just about recovered.

Hitsugaya growled as the captain went on about his body and evidence.

"His body is an illusion created by his Shikai," he barked, "In order for those illusions to work on you you have to have seen him release Shikai."

He saw it click to the man, "The demonstration…"

"I didn't attend remember,"

It was all a little farfetched but the 8th captain had to put two and two together. Why would Captain Hitsugaya come back zanpacto-less, reatsu sealed and in a state just to make up a weird story?

"Get going Ryoka!" He turned round and barked again at Chad who eventually nodded and began to run ahead.

He didn't get far. Blood shot from his right arm and the giant fell to reveal the kind looking brown haired man Hitsugaya had learned to hate.

"What is it?" Kyoraku had seen Hitsugaya's expression change but looked back to see nothing.

"I applaud you on you second escape attempt Hitsugaya but I'm afraid it must be cut short now." Aizen came over and knocked Shunsui out in one. Poor guy literally couldn't see it coming. Hitsugaya didn't bother attempting to run. It was pointless, with his powers sealed he could just about flash step and other than that he was powerless. His teal eyes just wandered over the unconscious body of the 8th captain then to the man that took his life away.

Aizen chuckled, "Not even bothering to run?" He observed, "Lost so much hope already,"

There was no reaction from the white haired boy.

"Not even when I taunt you. Good." He placed a hand on the boys head, "You're beginning to learn your place, Hitsugaya."

He was going to stay quiet until he caught movement in the wreckage from Shunui and Chad's fight. Then it hit him. If Kyoraku was here his Lieutenant wasn't far off and if Nanao hadn't come to help her captain yet then she knew Aizen was there. There was his hope.

"I'm not going back to Central 46," he knocked Aizen's hand from his head and glared.

Aizen shook his head, "Maybe you still need more attention."

He struck the boy down with the hilt of his zanpactou and the weakened Hitsugaya fell to the ground. Aizen threw the boy over his shoulder and strode off. Hitsugaya managed to open a teal eye and caught the steel of Nanao Ise. The woman could see it in his eyes pleading for her to be the hope he needed. She put on a brave face and nodded to the boy. A small smile traced on his features before he finally gave in and closed his eyes.

The lieutenant bided her time. She made sure they were gone before checking her captain and the Ryoka. Her captain was fine, just a hard knock to the head but Chad was in a critical condition so she did what she could after calling for squad 4. She was glad for the time alone to figure out what to do. She would explain to her captain what he missed that was for sure and Rangiku had to know about this too but other than that this was a delicate situation and she needed some reassurance.

Authors note: I do not own bleach

yeah sorry i did entend to update this yesterday but there were some unexpected happenings. anyway here it is and hope you enjoy

btw sorry if it feels alittle rushed but it would take forever if i wrote the bleach story out lol. SO you'll have to forgive me for sumoriseing bits

thank you to all reviewers, love ya