A Hero Comes Home part 2

When they exited they came upon the sight where the Squad Two Officers had fallen. The sight of the battle was evident with parts of the town below destroyed. This would certainly not do. So the duo of Squad One observed the scene and began looking for the culprit. But he made himself known.

"Well, Well." Said a voice form behind them. Toshiro and Yushiro turned around to see the former Substitute Soul Reaper Kugo Ginjo standing there. A sick smile formed on his lips." First I get the Captain and Lieutenant of Squad Two. But now I get the Head-Captain himself. This is just too good to be true." His zanpaktou was already drawn and down by his side.

"Kugo Ginjgo." Toshiro said as he turned to face him." You have been running free for far too long. This ends today."

"Come and try your best."

"It won't be me you answer to." Toshiro said. He nodded to Yushiro at his side. And with that his Lieutenant sprang into action. In one swift motion he drew his sword, disappearing and reappearing right before Kugo to swing his blade. Kugo jumped back avoiding injury but having his shirt cut by Yushiro's blade.

"The Captain you fought before was my family and clan." Yushiro said." And you will pay for what you did to him. Shine Nijigasumi!" And as he raised the blade over his head endless light shined from it.

Kugo was forced to put up his hand to shield himself from it. But when he could look again Yushiro was already before him. He raised his blade up, over his head and slashed down at him. Kugo jumped away but was too slow, Yushiro had cut him along his right arm. He persisted his attack and swung once more but Kugo managed to block. His sword was big and heavy so Yushiro moved quick moves to his advantage.

When their blades collided Yushiro tilted the blade to shine light right into Kugo's face blinding him once more. Then Yushiro used his true strength. Taking his blade in both hands and swinging his blade against Kugo's. And with all the force he put into it he sent Kugo down from the sky to hundreds of feet below into the ground.

But he didn't stop there. He used his shikai's ultimate attack. He raised the blade up and over his head creating even more light. Then when he was ready he swung it down at the downed Kugo. But the light was not the attack it was the shadows he controlled.

They came from all around to smash and crash into Kugo.

Yushiro stood tall in the aftermath. The damage was done leaving little doubt in Toshiro's mind that Kugo survived. So it was surprising to both of them when Kugo reappeared only a few feet from Yushiro. His cloths were had been ripped off him and his body was beaten by Yushiro's attacks.

"I'm through with these games." He said. He held up his claymore." Bankai!" And Yushiro and Toshiro watched as his spirit energy swarmed around him like a tornado in the color purple. When he reappeared he had armor on his body like that of a skeleton. His sword had even changed with it's once golden parts being black now." Are you ready?!" But Yushiro was not impressed.

He might have had bankai, something he didn't have a thousand years ago but it would prove as well as he thought in this fight.

"Is that all?" Yushiro asked with a smile." Very well, then let me show you my full power as well. Bankai!" And Yushiro's blade changed. The steel itself melted away into the endless light it could create in shikai. Only now it surrounded itself around Yushiro blinding him to the naked eye. The only way to sense him now was by trying to find his spiritual pressure. But even then he could create illusions to trick you.

And when Kugo was blinded by the light once more he struck. He simple held out his hand and the light formed into a blast and knocked him away. He repositioned himself and swung forward with his sword but it was hard to cut light.

Yushiro had learned well from Toshiro's training. With it he had mastered his abilities and had become as powerful as Chojiro Sasakibe. But it was not under Toshiro that he learned bankai. The one responsible for that was Byakuya Kuchiki.

Byakuya had helped lay the foundation for what Toshiro would later build on. He had done as he had promised Toshiro, he would protect and help Yushiro until the end of his days. It was shortly after Byakuya's passing that Rukia was made Captain of Squad Six.

But Yushiro didn't linger in his Division long after her promotion. Squad One was empty and Toshiro was all alone. He used to go out and visit the other barracks, having lunch and dinner with a different division every other day. But in those dark days they were more likely to hear from him via hell butterfly than in person, and the only time he would be seen in person was at a Captain's meeting.

So Rukia decided that her master the Head-Captain needed a new Lieutenant. And so she promoted Yushiro.

The young Shihouin had expected to be turned away by the Head-Captain. But for some reason Toshiro gladly accepted him. From that day Toshiro took Yushiro Shihouin as his Lieutenant and his student.

It worked out as Rukia had hoped meetings became more frequent, the Head-Captain made more public appearances. In short everything was almost like it once was…..almost.

Kugo might have had bankai and the brute strength of a Kenpachi but that only went so far. Against someone as skilled and talented as Yushiro he stood no chance.

Yushiro held an open palm but slowly began closing it, thus making the light close in on Kugo. And when he closed his fist entirely the ball of light had closed in on him entirely. Toshiro had seen that attack done too many foes before. It crushed ever part of their body with hundreds of tons of force.

But to both their surprise that didn't happened this time. With a sudden great surge of spiritual pressure Kugo pushed the light away from, and he looked different. The skeletal armor he once wore now covered his body and even transformed his sword. But that was impossible, if he'd released bankai then he's released his full power.

"What is this?" Yushiro questioned.

"I'm afraid I wasn't telling the whole truth before." Kugo laughed." I have achieved a power far greater than that of a bankai." Toshiro kept his calm gaze but this was a strange discovery. But Yushiro had heard enough.

He raised his hands and prepared for another attack. But when the light went forward Kugo simply held out his sword and accepted it. The light was there and then vanished.

"What? "Yushiro questioned." How can this be?"

"My new abilities allow me to steal the spiritual energies of those I fight. I admit if I hadn't absorbed the power of your cousin I wouldn't be able to fight you." He glanced over at the Head-Captain his next target." But now." In the blink of an eye Kugo disappeared and reappeared before Yushiro. And he plunged his sword into Yushiro's chest. And the claymore was large enough to stab his entire sternum. If he swung down he'd rip the Lieutenant in two.

But now the Head-Captain stepped in. The first thing he did was grab Kugo's blade with his left hand. Then with his right he swung forward and punched Kugo in the face, sending him to the ground below.

He turned and looked at his Lieutenant. His eyes were rolling in the back of his head and he was bleeding badly. If something wasn't done he would join his cousin and sister soon. Toshiro quickly ripped the sword from his body and began healing Yushiro's wound.

But he left himself wide open. Kugo had regained his sword and now attacked the Head-Captain from behind. With his right hand placed firmly around Yushiro's shoulder Toshiro quickly jumped aside as the blade swung past him and the spiritual blast it emitted destroyed the streets and buildings below. But he did not escape it completely unharmed.

Kugo turned and looked with a smile as the left hand which had been healing Yushiro had been cut off. Despite this he still clutched Yushiro tightly.

"You're getting slow in your old age." Toshiro grinded his teeth and glared at him." I expected more from you Head-Captain. I'll give you a chance now, draw your zanpaktou and face me!" That's what he wanted. To test himself against the best.

Of course if he dropped Yushiro he could either heal his wounded hand or draw his sword. But such an action would most defiantly cost the Lieutenant his life. Something he couldn't do. But Toshiro had another idea.

He put Yushiro over his left shoulder and with his right hand drew his sword.

"Come on then." He said. Kugo did not wait and lunged forward. Toshiro managed to block him though it was awkward to hold his blade and carry Yushiro at the same time. Kugo advanced with his big sword and swing it upward, grinding against Toshiro's. As they grinded he managed to stab the point of his blade into Toshiro's shoulder. And when he swung it up slashed him. Toshiro tried to re-balance himself as Kugo swung down at him. Toshiro raised his blade above his head and blocked.

But the swing was strong no doubt thanks to this new power, and it almost came close to Toshiro's head. But as they stood there Kugo kicked out his leg and hit Toshiro in the stomach sending him flying back.

From the attack he lost his grip on Yushiro.

"No!" Toshiro yelled as he tried to reach out and grab him with his stumped hand. But then he was set on by Kugo. Who jumped in his way and clashed his blade against Toshiro's. But now it was time for the Head-Captain to attack.

"Rain on the Frosted Heaven!" He commanded. And with one swing of his sword a wall of ice shot from the tip and into Kugo, driving him back. He did not concern himself with it any further and instead jumped down to catch Yushiro. Just in time too since he was about to hit the ground.

The Ice Dragon was powerful but Kugo was just as powerful. And with one swing of his sword he managed to shatter it into pieces. He looked forward now and expected another attack but none came. In fact he couldn't see his opponent anywhere.

When Yushiro opened his eyes he saw shadows. He remembered the battle with Kugo and he remembered his Captain. Worried about where his superior was he jolted upright only to feel a pain spring up his body.

"Stay down." A voice said as a hand was placed on his shoulder. Yushiro looked up and saw the Head-Captain kneeling over him.

"Sir, what's happened? Where is Kugo? Your HURT!"

"Sh." Toshiro silenced him. He turned his attention up. Yushiro saw now that they were in the allies of some of the few buildings that weren't destroyed." He is searching." Toshiro told. They could see Kugo there up in the sky in this strange new form. But he could not see them.

"What is that?" Yushiro questioned." What power does he have?"

"He calls it a 'Fullbringer'." Toshiro told." And it's unlike everything I've ever seen before." Yushiro did not like the sound of that.

"Let me go after him again, sir." He said." We won't beat me a second time."

"You" Toshiro said putting his hand out and pushing Yushiro back to the ground." Will stay right here. You still need to heal." Toshiro had done what he could for Yushiro the rest of the healing was in his hands." And I" He said standing up." Will deal with this." Toshiro reached back and grabbed onto the Captain's cloak at his shoulders. And then in one swift movement ripped it off and handed it to Yushiro.

"Take this." He said." I won't be needing it." Now to untrained they might have thought that the Head-Captain was discarding his coat so he wouldn't destroy it more than he already had.

But the next item was too strange to overlook." And this." Yushiro was surprised as Hyorinmaru was tossed from the Head-Captain's hands and into his own. And Yushiro Shihouin who had been at Toshiro's side for hundreds of years knew something was up.

"What are you saying, sir?" He asked.

"There's only one way I can stop him." His right hand clenched into a tight fist. And Yushiro Shihouin knew exactly what he meant. He was a man of action. And the only way for a man of action to go out was with his boots on.

"Wait! Head-Captain don't do this." He took a step closer." We can fight him together!" But Toshiro didn't seem to have heard him and slowly began making his way up towards his foe." What about the Gotei 13?! You've worked your whole life for his place, Head-Captain. And now your just gonna abandon it?!"

"No." Toshiro shook his head and turned to look at Yushiro for the first time." From where I stand looks like it' s In pretty good hands." Yushiro glanced down at the white coat in his hands to see the symbol of Division One.

"No, No! Head-Captain I'm not-"

"You'll do fine." Toshiro turned away from him. And then he prepared to shot off into the sky and engage his foe once more until Yushiro stopped him.

"But your wife and daughter, sir. What should I tell them?" Toshiro slowly moved out from his stance and faced Yushiro.

The boy knew what most others didn't. Matsuri might have known but choose to ignore it, Fujimaru knew and had confronted him on it more than once. There's no way Senna or Mihane could have known. But Rukia and Sajin knew and were probably the only two besides Yushiro to know the whole truth. Despite the marriage and the daughter Toshiro Hitsuguya's heart belonged to only one woman.

"I've had a lot of time for reflection." Toshiro told." After Yamamoto's death and the Quincy War, I did everything I could to try and get everyone to forgive me for what I did. But really I need to forgive myself, but even now I haven't…..I don't know that I ever will." He turned once more and looked Yushiro over. "Take care of them." He ordered. He reached his right arm up and laid it down on Yushiro's shoulder.

And for the first time in a thousand years Toshiro saw the boy that Yushiro was. His eyes became watery as he shrunk under the Head-Captain's gaze. And with one last smile Toshiro shunpoed away leaving only Yushiro.

The Lieutenant quickly looked into the sky.

"No please!" He pleaded." Don't leave me."

The Fullbringer enhanced Kugo scanned the area to see where his opponents had gone. But they came back to him like a fish to a worm. Toshiro reappeared behind him.

"Whenever you are ready." He said. Kugo smiled and with both hands on his claymore turned around and swung. Toshiro ducked under his blade and when she shot back up clasped his hand around Kugo's throat. And to keep him from striking back with his sword Toshiro held swung his left arm up, keeping his sword at bay.

They struggled for several moments as Kugo tried to free himself but only found Toshiro's grip getting tighter. And to Yushiro watching on the ground it looked like a battle between two titans.

With Kugo now in his grasp this was Toshiro's chance. He moved forward and locked both of his legs around Kugo giving him no means of escape.

"Hado 96." Toshiro said. Kugo looked down to see Toshiro's chest glowing bright red as the cracks began to move all around his body. Starting at the chest and then working it's way to his arms and up his neck. Kugo tried to pull away but it was no use. Toshiro quickly moved in closer, putting their bodies side by side." Itto Kaso!" The red cracking had made it's way up to his face now even turning his eyes the bright red color.

And the explosion caused the sky to be covered red all around the world. Yushiro tried not to shield his eyes from the event as it was the last time he would ever see his master. He stood at attention and although it was hard to see he kept his composure.

And when the smoke cleared all the remained of the battle was Kugo's claymore, broken in two. Yushiro watched as the blade fell from the sky and landed several feet away from him. But there was no trace of Toshiro Hitsuguya, nothing except the objects Yushiro held in his hands.

Now it feel unto him to return to the Soul Society and deliver the sad news.