Italics + ' = Thoughts (Etc. = 'What is that?')

Bold + '' = Inner Hollow/Secondary Spirit (Etc. = ''Fucking Quotation marks!'' He roared)

Italics + '' = Zanpakuto Spirit (Etc. = ''Do not hesitate, Ichigo'' Zangetsu said)

Chapter 2: Deceiving Looks - Pink Haired Menace ARC

Under Sokyoku Hill, Toshiro's POV

''Wow'' I admit, looking over the vast underground rocky terrain.

''Yup, a friend of mine built it years ago - like a looooonng time ago'' Chiro giggles ''It can withstand up to three to four captains at max output before any Reiatsu leaks out''.

''Interesting'' I muse, I was about to say 'How do you know where this was' but the sound of metal skidding against a sheath drew my attention to my right. Chiro drew her Zanpakuto and pointed it at me, its blade a elegant silver, its guard a smooth pink oval with yellow trimmings and a pink and yellow hilt.

She points the blade at me with a smile on her face ''Get ready captain, training starts... now!''.

The second the last word left her lips I had to jump back to avoid her blade which suddenly smashed into the ground where I stood, creating a small crater. She disappears again and I hastily draw Hyorinmaru just in time to block an attack that would've bisected me.

''Good reflexes'' She comments cheerfully, putting more pressure behind her blade forcing me to dig my heels in to hold my ground.

I break the deadlock and side-step to the left, swinging my blade up at her. She deftly slides to the side before spinning and slamming her foot into my side, sending me skidding at least ten feet. My instincts cry to dodge and I Shunpo to the side to avoid a kick that created another crater, she appeared before me and swung down at me and I meet her halfway. Our blade let out a loud clang of steel and I find myself skidding back yet again with her on my tail.

I Shunpo extra far back before going airborne ''Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyorinmaru!''.

Chiro smiles even wider than before as she watches my blade change, almost reminiscent of Kenpachi. I slash the air in front of me and send an ice dragon at her, I could've shot more but I wanted to see if she would be able to handle it.

''Danku'' She chirped and a semi-translucent barrier appears, absorbing the blow from my ice dragon without even cracking. It fades from existence and she charged forth with even more speed than before, causing me to in turn push my Shunpo higher.

She appeared at my side and I quickly raise my blade to block, only for her to disappear and appear at my other side and creating a fair gash on my side. I Shunpo back and swing my sword again, Chiro stands still for a moment as if waiting for the attack.

''Agitowari!'' She cried, swinging her blade up and slicing the ice dragon in half, sending both parts to the sides of her. She smiles at me playfully before disappearing again, I spin around and lock blades with her only to see one hand on the hilt and the other pointed at me.

''Sokatsui!'' She called, sending a point blank Hado at me. I Shunpo back as fast as I could and evade most of the spell but it still burned my clothes slightly but that didn't really matter.

I take the offensive and appear behind her, swinging at her back only for her to lean back. My blade passed harmlessly over her and she looked up at me with a devious smile on her face, a hand outstretched with a red ball of fire on it. I immediately try to avoid but I know it was fruitless, she didn't even say the name of the Kido before the ball of fire. It lightly burned my skin and clothes and by the time I landed on the ground a dozen feet away panting she was already ready, though gave me a small respite.

''Kido without incantation, classification or numeral?'' I question.

''Yup'' She said ''It took me a while to learn it but all I have to say is the name of the Kido for full power or just say it mentally for half power''.

''Interesting'' I muse and straighten up, pointing out a hand ''Hado #33: Sokatsui!''.

She in turn raised a hand ''Soren Sokatsui''.

'Shit'

I Shunpo to the side but immediately have to Shunpo gain to avoid a ball of fire, namely Shakkaho. I swing my blade and send several ice dragons at Chiro, only for them to be easily avoided. She disappear and I hear the flash of Shunpo behind me alongside a crackling noise.

''Raikoho!''.

The blast of the Hado spell shot through my side, intentionally missing any vital organs yet that didn't mean it was painless. I Shunpo away weakly and hold a palm to my side, a weak healing Kido already working. I won't be able to heal it completely but I can at least stop the flow of blood until we finish.

''You wanna stop?'' Chiro suddenly called, as if reading my mind.

''For now, just let me heal my wound'' I call back begrudgingly, I hated the fact that a third seat was kicking my ass whereas I had yet to land a hit.

''Ne, let me'' Chiro said from beside me, her hands glowing green as warmth spread over my side. I stay silent during the process and so does she, several minutes later the warmth disappears but the pain also disappeared. I stand up and examine my bare side, the only indication of any wounds was my slightly red skin.

''Thanks'' I nod at her who smiles in return.

''Lets go!'' Chiro cheers, charging at me once again as I raise my Shikai up to meet her sealed yet devastating sword.

''Captain?'' Matsumoto says confused. We just returned from our 'training' (i.e. beat up the captain), despite the fact Chiro had healed my wounds with a level of expertise that even the lieutenant of the 4th struggled to achieve I was exhausted physically and mentally. She on the other hand was practically unscathed save for a lucky cut I got on her cheek.

''We were training!'' Chiro chirped ''I wasn't as good with my Zanpakuto as Captain Toshi but I kept hiding behind rocks and surprising him''.

'If anything her lying is worse than her combat skills'

''Heh I can see you doing that'' Matsumoto smiled sweetly at the young girl ''By the way captain there's a bunch of paperwork waiting for you''.

''How much of it is yours?'' I growl, rubbing my temple.

''Oh don't worry I did my share'' She said happily before walking away ''I'll be with the other lieutenants for a driiiiinnnkk''.

I didn't bother responding and walked to the office, sure enough more paperwork was there. Half of it a shade darker than the rest, clearing indicating lieutenant-class work.

''Dammit''.

''How are you so damn fast?'' I growl under my breath, dodging another Sokatsui.

''Pretty fast~'' Chiro chimed in ''Its only the 4th session captain''.

''Still'' I grumble ''So far I've only landed six hits on you, all of them minor''.

''Cheer up'' She chirped ''You've definitely improved, just not to the level where you can defeat me yet''.

I don't bother answering, instead using Shunpo to appear behind her and swing upwards. My blade was a hairs length from reaching her before she disappeared, reappearing and throwing a kick at my side. I raise my forearm and let it absorb the blow, swinging my sword arm up at her and catching her off guard - detectable by the way her eye widened in shock. In a brief moment of realisation that my attack could do too much damage, I hesitated.

My blade drew blood, yet was still nothing serious. Yes it was the most damaging hit yet but still I felt like I could do better, next time I shouldn't hesitate as much when a plan to strike... just because she's my third seat doesn't mean I need to go easy...

''Then let me have a go!'' A voice in my head suddenly cried, it startled me and made me forget about my fight. I felt the pain begin to surge over the side of my face again, I begin to reach up to tear what I assume the mask was but when my arm got halfway it froze up as the pain increased tenfold.

''Captain?'' Chiro asked before realising the problem ''Damn... I thought we had more time...''.

''Shit...'' I mumble as I feel a wet substance spread over my right eye.

''Captain, you have to fight it!'' Chiro instructed desperately ''Defeat the manifestation, don't lose hope...''.

I don't have any way to respond so I just lock eyes with her before darkness creeps into the edge of my vision, shortly afterwards consuming my vision entirely. I briefly felt a falling sensation before I slammed into something, hard. A pain groan escapes my lips and my eyes flutter open weakly, leading me to stare at the ever-snowing sky of my inner world. The snow was thicker than normal though, more like sludge.

''Hyorinmaru?'' I call out only to receive silence.

''He's not here'' A chilling doubled voice called, I spin on the ball of my heel and come face to face with my reflection. The exceptions being the black sclera and golden irises, snow white skin and blue tongue. His clothes were also inverted, the Shihakusho being white, the Haori and Obi sash black.

''Who are you?'' I growl, narrowing my eyes.

''Take a guess smartass'' The duplicate smirked.

''Are you... the manifestation from the hollow Reiryoku?'' I question.

''Took you long enough'' The hollow said mockingly ''Thought it would be pretty clear what I am, considering what happened like a minute ago''.

''Where is Hyorinmaru?'' I spat venomously.

''My, where has he gone indeed'' He smirked as his eyes filled with bloodlust ''Why does it matter... when your dead?!''.

The hollow leapt forwards, a sword far too similar to Hyorinmaru for my liking in his hand, and swung at me with a maniacal grin on his face. I raise my own blade to block and the sounding clang was more like a sonic boom, shooting me back slightly. I regain my footing and prepare to charge when the hollow has already begun his second assault, swinging in a crazed yet accurate flurry of jabs and slashes. Refusing to go on the defensive, I charge head-first into it and we begin a deadly dance of metallic clangs.

I break off from my opponent, raising my Reiatsu as I prepare to use my Shikai. Strangely enough so does the hollow, raising his own Reiatsu.

''Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyorinmaru!'' We both cry in unison. Our blades transform into its Shikai state as the air becomes cooler, while to others it would feel cold.

I swing the blade downwards, shooting out an ice dragon at my counterpart who mimicked the action. The dragons collided and exploded into a shower of ice shards, sparkling as they fell.

''How can you use Hyorinmaru, hollow?!'' I yell at him, he glares back before grinning widely.

''Because I can!'' He cackled ''If ya got a problem with me, then show me your worth listening ta!''.

He lunged forward again, I deftly side-stepped and swung down at him. I nick his shoulder and draw a slither of blood but he backs off before I can deal more damage, he snarls at me as charged at me again. He swung at me but disappeared and finished the arc next to me, cutting into my side.

Something I noted, absentmindedly of course, was that despite the fact he looked like me his attitude was clearly an opposite to my own. I was cold and calm, he was hot and reckless. But despite its recklessness its attacks were accurate and powerful, he almost always anticipated where my sword would go and evade or block.

''I'll ask again...'' I growl, managing to slice into his side ''Where is Hyorinmaru?!''.

Chiro's POV (Outside)

I avoid another slash from the hollowfied Toshiro, swinging at its stomach to at least make it pause long enough to let the instant regeneration work.

After he began hollowfying half his face took on the look of a dragon, though only slightly. The mask had fully formed and his body was slowly hollowfying, the mask in question was smooth in appearance and lacked a mouth of any kind. It was shaped like a curved V with the tip of the V jutting out like horns, another set of spike-horns jutted out near his cheeks and covered over his ears slightly. A small thin ridge jutted out along the middle of the mask and held a small blue diamond between his eyes but on his forehead. His eyes glowed a bright gold and black with his instincts running wild, since they were fighting for control.

Like in our previous training sessions he wasn't too difficult to parry, evade or counter. Even with his instincts controlling him he lacked the Reiatsu to be able to match me in combat. I eventually managed to lure him into a special little Bakudo spell that nee-san taught me, though it was nowhere near as powerful as when she cast it since she created those Bakudo spells while I drew up the Hado.

''Hurry up captain'' I whisper softly as it begins to mutate again, white wings forming on its back. The Bakudo holds but for how long?

''Damn it all'' I curse as the creature also sprouts the same Bankai wings as I do. I let a growl escape my throat as I ready my sword, the hollow mimics me. I Shunpo back to gain distance before swinging my Zanpakuto rapidly, sending a sea of dragons at him. He disappears in a blur and all the dragons crash into the ground without hitting their target, who appears right in front of me. Our blades crash only for a moment before he lashes out with a vicious kick to my stomach, sending me flying back into the ground.

I let out a pained groan as the ice I was laying on felt like bricks, out of instinct I roll to the right and avoid a stab before Shunpo'ing away.

''Stand. Still!'' The hollow yelled angrily.

''Why would I do that?'' I growl and slip past his guard, slashing his torso.

''So I can fucking hit you!'' He roared, attempting to mimic my attack but missing by a hairs length.

''Why would I allow myself to be hit if I'm supposed to beat you?'' I ask flatly.

''Shut up!'' He bawled and kicked my leg, created a cracking noise causing me to wince.

I Shunpo behind him and deliver a long slash along his back to my satisfaction, however it suddenly turns to ice causing my eyes to widen a my own technique.

''Zanhyo Ningyo'' He said from behind me as my side blazes in pain, courtesy of the hollow running his blade through me. He retracts the blade and disappears again, the loss of the sudden support causing me to stumble momentarily before retaking a battle stance.

I Shunpo as far back as I can, immediately I get close to the ground and let the tip of my Zanpakuto drag along the snow. I run in a quick circle and Shunpo away and repeat this twice before the hollow resumes his attack.

I charge my Reiryoku into the blade and swing it ''Guncho Tsurara!''.

A flurry of icicles fly at my opponent who retreats long enough for me to draw another two circles in the snow, three more to go. I can't let him think I'm up to something though, especially if he knows Hyorinmaru's attacks. He Shunpo'ed back into the air and I followed.

''Bakudo #61: Rikujokoro!'' I cry and send the bars of light into his abdomen, freezing the highly irritated hollow in place. I slice a long gash in his chest before using Shunpo to get behind him and kick him down towards the circles, I land not far away and draw the last three circles along a curved path.

Just as I appear at the edge of the effect radius just in time to 'greet' my opponent, who locked blades with me instantly. I push him back as best as I can before twisting my sword 90 degrees.

''Sennen Hyoro!'' I roar causing the eyes of the hollow to widen greatly before the ice pillars obscured him from view. I waste no time in forcing the pillars to close in on my opponent, who fruitlessly attack them in an attempt to escape. Less than a quarter of a minute later the pillar let out a resounding 'Dunn' noise the crashed into one big pillar with the hollow imprisoned inside.

With a simple flick of my sword the whole thing shatters, though the hollow remained in one piece his Reiatsu was dwindling. I Shunpo over to his weakened form, which was now laying weakly on his back with his eyes barely open.

''Ah shit...'' He spat ''Fucking should've known you'd pull that fucking trick...''.

''You lost, I won'' I say with narrowed eyes ''Will you stop trying to take over my body now?''.

''Heh, hell no'' He grinned ''But since I don't want all of soul society on ma ass, I'll only do it if ya let yourself almost die, alright?''.

I blink ''So if I ever get in a situation when I'm on a brink of death, you'll take over?''.

''That's what I meant, yeah''.

''Sure, I guess'' I sigh ''As long as you don't hurt our allies''.

''Tch, hollows are beings of instinct - instinct also includes protecting members of a pack or family, or in your case allies'' He said as he began to glow a bright white ''See ya later, Toshiro-dono!''.

The first thing I notice when my eyes open was the fact I was lying on my back like the hollow had been, with a ruffed up Chiro sitting on a rock not far away.

''Your awake, good'' An echoed voice called, I tense over mainly by the fact Chiro was the one who spoke. Her visible eye was gold on black instead of deep pink.

''Chiro?'' I asked bewildered, though I couldn't find the energy to move.

''She's restin' in our inner world'' She replied coolly ''She ran outta energy to hold the Bakudo so she sent me out ta spar with yer hollowfied state''.

''Okay...'' I drawl ''Can she... take control again?''.

''Aw'' Hollow-Chiro pouted, posing cutely ''Just because I've got no boobs doesn't mean ya gotta be a meanie, snowy-chan''.

''W-What?!'' I splutter as the heat rises to my cheeks ''T-That's got nothing t-to do with it!''.

''Your so cute when your embarrassed, snowy-chan!'' Hollow-Chiro giggles ''I'll let Chiro-chan back, next time you and I can have a little fun, if you know what I mean...''.

I couldn't form any words except splutter in sheer embarrassment, she taps the collar of her Shihakusho and the obi sash with a sly smile ''Bye Bye''.

Hollow-Chiro closed her visible eye and after a few moments re-opened it, revealing her usual deep pink.

She smiles broadly ''Yay you won captain!''.

''Yeah...'' I groan, trying to forget what her hollow was suggesting ''So what now?''.

''Well from what I know about Hollowification you search for your Reiryoku, from there you should be able to find another pool which is hollow Reiryoku. Gather some in your hand and pull it over your face to create a mask, this will increase your overall fighting abilities and if you train enough it will allow you to use Cero. The mask has a time limit and it will slowly increase the more you train using it'' She explained cheerfully ''We can do the training stuff tomorrow, you look really tired''.

''I can still train'' I grumble and slowly get to my feet.

Chiro pauses for a moment before speaking ''Hollow-chan said if you can still train then you can 'play' with her, though she won't tell me what game...''.

My cheeks heat up like a wildfire ''W-We should head back to the division in that case''.

She leaned in close to my face and put a hand on my head, causing my cheeks to heat up more from the proximity ''Hm, you feel okay captain?''.

''Y-Yeah lets just go'' I say quickly and pull away, turning and utilizing Shunpo to escape the mouth of the cave. In my haste I didn't notice the confused expression on Chiro's face.

''MATSUMOTO!'' I boom upon returning to my office with Chiro in tow, sake bottles littered the floor and her stack of paperwork was barely touched to my ire.

''Don't shout so loud captain...'' My lieutenant groaned ''Whys it so bright...?''.

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose to relieve myself of some of my stress ''Did you at least train the squad like I asked?''.

''For a bit then I gave them instructions, they should still be at it'' She mumbled into a pillow.

''3rd seat Chiro'' I say and the so-far silent girl perks up ''Go check on the squad and report back to me''.

''Aye Aye Sir!'' She chirped and left the room. I move to my desk and start working through the small-ish pile of documents, my lieutenant remains on the couch groaning all the way until Chiro returned ''There still training and sparring sir''.

''Good'' I sigh ''Your off the hook Matsumoto, for now''.

''Woo!'' She cheered back weakly.

''Captain Hitsugaya!'' A voice called, I look past Chiro - who moved - to see a messenger from the 2nd division on his knees.

''What is it?'' I ask in my commanding tone.

''The Head Captain requests your presence for a captains meeting in ten minutes'' The messenger replied ''That is all''.

''Very well, dismissed'' I say and the messenger vanishes in the blur of Shunpo ''Great, didn't even get to rest for five minutes...''.

''Hello Captain Hitsugaya'' Ukitake greets me as we walk towards the meeting room.

''Hello'' I greet back ''Any idea why this meeting was called so suddenly?''.

''It might be related to the mission you went on a few days ago'' He guessed ''Other than that... well who knows?''.

I nod at the older man before entering the meeting room and take my spot in line next to Kurotsuchi and Tosen. I give a nod to both men as greeting, I get a dismissive wave and nod in return. A short time later the commander walks in, striding up and sitting in his chair.

''I have called for this meeting because of the results of Captain Hitsugaya's mission. A large group of Vasto Lorde seem to have begun forming at the outer edges of the soul society, this is an obvious threat - especially if they build up a large enough army to attack the Seireitei'' He boomed ''As such I am sending Captain Kuchiki, lieutenant Abarai and Captain Tosen with lieutenant Shuhei to do weekly checks on the borders of the abyss''.

''Hai, commander'' The men respond.

''One thing to note, also to the rest of the captains and lieutenants is that entering the abyss is strictly prohibited, even if it meant chasing a target down'' He boomed.

''Hai'' All of us chorus.

''Now, next on the agenda...''.

''Your back!'' Chiro cheered happily from her position at my desk, casually sitting on it with her legs dangling off the edge.

''How many times do I have to tell you, your technically not supposed to be in the office since this is the captains and lieutenants office'' I explain.

''Yeah but you and Matsu-chan are good company~'' She giggled.

''Did you do your paperwork?'' I ask dryly.

''Yup!" She chirped.

''Well at least you better than my lieutenant...'' I grumble.

''Captain~ you meanie'' Matsumoto whines.

''Maybe if you didn't avoid doing paperwork I wouldn't be!'' I yell back tiredly.

''How mean~'' She pouted in reply.

''What time is it anyway?'' Chiro asks suddenly, cocking her head to the side in confusion.

''Its uh...'' I say and look at the moon through the window ''Nearing ten in the evening''.

''That's why I'm so tired'' She yawned abruptly ''Well I'm going to bed, night Captain Toshi, Matsu-chan''.

''Its captain Hitsugaya!'' I growl fruitlessly at her retreating form.

The following days after that were peaceful, consisting of my usual routine and duties alongside my training with Chiro. As much as I initially resented the fact that I not only had a hollow inside me but I couldn't get rid of it, I cannot deny that using the mask increased my combat abilities by leaps and bounds. Before I could barely block or match Chiro's speed, now I can actually match her - though only for the 15 seconds the mask is active.

So far our activities have remained a secret and everyone assumes that I am training her, quite the opposite of what actually happens. It still weighs down on me like a stack of bricks though, the fact of that if we are discovered then we will instantly be executed - likely by the Sokyoku. Chiro always brushes it off and says if we do end up getting caught she'll just breaks us out, to which a half-hearted argument starts with me saying the walls and restraints we wear seal of our powers and they take our weapons, to which she replies she'll still get us out.

She occasionally pointed out that this was training for her too, one of the tasks she needed to complete to fulfil her lineage and achieve her full power. I don't understand what she meant because she doesn't explain it.

My own power has increased too, according to her. My Shunpo has gotten slightly faster and my reactions and reflexes have sharped too, my Zanjutsu becoming more attuned to fast-moving opponents and the occasional Kido I fire being far more devastating. Despite this she kept on telling me my Bankai was 'Incomplete' or 'Not as powerful as it should be', whenever I question her she said the same thing;

''You need more training with it for it to grow, Bankai is not simply achieving a level of power or skill with your Zanpakuto - it is a deeper understanding of what your Bankai and Zanpakuto is and in turn an understanding of yourself. That is why Bankai is so uncommon, because it requires at least a marginal understanding of your being as a whole and not just your combat abilities. You understand yourself to a degree, but not entirely - as such you have achieved Bankai but it is not as strong as it could be if you understood and accepted yourself''.

It was likely the most poetic and smartest thing I've ever heard her say, which is a rare thing considering Chiro's personality - rarely serious. I took the words to heart and conversed with Hyorinmaru about it. He admitted that is what Bankai truly was; an understanding of yourself. Power was an obvious factor, if not then many more Bankai's would exist. It was more of a secondary condition, understanding being the primary condition.

It admittedly was a bit stupid when I asked if I could learn how to understand myself so I can complete my Bankai, Hyorinmaru actually laughed at the question.

''This is something you must do on your own, others can help you understand yourself but nobody knows you better than yourself''.

It was perplexing to say the least, it wasn't like a test were once you figured it out you would be notified. It was like they both said, you had to come to an understanding and you know yourself best. For a while I struggled with it before the answer smacked me in the face.

Hyorinmaru is a part of myself. Guess who I'm visiting?