Ch10

Toshiro's brow furrowed as he continued to score through the documents on his desk. I don't have much time. Captain Yamamoto already knows I was there, he'll ask questions for sure.

He had spent the past few hours scouring over documents to build up his legal case, he was sure he could do it but he had to be careful. After all, the head captain was known to be very strict and wouldn't hesitate to order Netto's imprisonment or worse.

"Oh captain are you still busy?" Rangiku asked.

He frowned. "Not now I have things to do."

Looking up he saw Rangiku stare at him curiously. "You've been acting weird. Why were you down in the mortal world again?"

"Personal emergency," he muttered.

Rangiku raised an eyebrow. "Well Momo has been asking, apparently the other captains know of your little excursion."

He swore in his head. "Don't worry I'll take care of it."

"What have you been doing there anyway?" Rangiku asked folding her arms beneath her bosom.

"N-Nothing," he said as he quickly grabbed some papers. "I'm going to speak with the head captain now and clear this up."

Rangiku gave him a look that basically called him a liar. "Well Captain Yamamoto has summoned you."

He rubbed his forehead. "Fine I'll be there."

"Alright good luck," Rangiku said.

His lieutenant gave him a look as if she suspected him of something, he brushed it off and quickly gathered his captain robe and exited his office.

I have to play this right. His heart raced in his chest as he headed towards the main meeting room where he often had meetings with the other captains.

When he reached the room the guards opened the doors for him. Taking a deep breath he stepped into dark room. His palms began to sweat as he entered the dimly lit hall. In the distance he could see Captain Yamamoto sitting between two fiery torches.

He bowed deeply. "Captain Yamamoto."

Captain Yamamoto's lifted his gaze, his dark eyes setting on him. "Hitsugaya-kun I understand you have been taking trips to the mortal world."

He nodded slowly. "I have sir. I have been looking into the reports of strange activity." Taking a deep breath he swallowed the lump in his throat. "I also found a mortal who became a substitute shinigami."

Captain Yamamoto raised an eyebrow. "Really now? What exactly has been going on down there?"

He slowly recounted the story of the strange figure along with the story he made of how he met Netto and that he gained the powers of a shinigami.

When he was done he did his best to maintain his composure. "I discovered Hikari Netto, and have trained him to help him better control his powers."

Captain Yamamoto looked at him his gaze as steely as ever. "You know the rules concerning substitute Shinigami Captain Hitsugaya."

"I do sir," he said as he fell do his knees and pressed his head against the ground. "That is why I wish to take responsibility over him. I will train him and make him an asset to the Soul Society."

The room was so silent he could hear the flicker of the flames. His heart raced as Captain Yamamoto cleared his throat. "You may rise Hitsugaya-kun."

"Thank you sir," he muttered as he got up.

"Well seeing as you have a connection with this boy I will place him under your charge," Captain Yamamoto said. "Train him and make sure he follows the laws."

His heart raced as he resisted the urge to show too much emotion. "I will do as you command sir."

"Good. You may go," Captain Yamamoto said. "I'll also authorize you to find whatever evil creature is hiding in the mortal world."

He bowed deeply. "Understood."

As he exited the meeting room he breathed a sigh of relief. So far so good.

"Ah Captain Hitsugaya a pleasure to see you again," said a familiar voice.

Turning around he saw Tadashi Hikari wearing his Shinigami robes. Looking the man over he could see the resemblance to Netto, same hair color and jaw line.

"Hikari-san," he said curtly. "Can I help you?"

Tadashi Hikari smiled at him. "Keep an eye on my grandson would you?"

He slowly. "Don't worry about him. I'll take good care of him."

"Good to know," Tadashi said.

"I should let you know if anything happens to him I'll hold you responsible," He said coldly before walking off.

Tadashi smiled at him and chuckled. "Don't worry he is still my descendent."

His gaze narrowed on the man. "If he becomes Mayuri's play thing he'll know what I'm like when I'm angry."

True he may not have the experience as Mayuri and the man was more than crafty but he would hold him accountable if he did anything wrong with Netto.

Netto this won't be an easy path but I promise I'll help you prepare for it. I'll do anything to make sure you are a great substitute soul reaper.

Deep down he saw him as a friend and he would do all he could to make sure he was safe and sound. I won't let you fall for any schemes.

Netto looked over Toshiro his eyes taking in his new form. "So this is a gigai?"

From what he was told it was basically a dummy used by soul reapers to appear physically in this world.

Toshiro nodded. The white haired boy was wearing a normal t-shirt and shorts a striking contrast from his Shinigami robes. "Yeah it allows humans to see me."

He nodded. The two were sitting in the park enjoying the nice weather as they chatted about Shinigami related topics.

"Netto I know he is your grandfather but be cautious around him," Toshiro said. "I don't know what he has planned but I want you to be safe."

He nodded looking at the statue of the squirrel in the garden. "I don't know much about these internal politics but I'll do my best to not step on any toes."

"That masked figured do you know why it would target you?" Toshiro asked.

He shook his head. "I have no clue."

"Whatever it is it's crafty and dangerous," Toshiro said folding his arms. "It is a dangerous creature."

"Don't worry I'm sure you can take it," he said. "I mean you seem strong."

"Thanks," Toshiro muttered. He swore he saw a slight blush across his face. "I am a captain after all. Anyway I hope to train you well."

"Sounds good. Both you and Yoruichi seem strong," he said.

Thinking of that masked figure still sent shivers down his spine, he didn't know what it was or why it hated him so much but if it hurt people close to him he would take it down.

Taking a deep breath he looked up at the sky. "It's a been a while since we hung out."

Toshiro avoided his gaze. "I'm a captain now I can't take time off."

He folded his arms. "Well you are supposed to watch over me." A grin spread across his face. "I'm sure we can do more things than just train you know?"

Toshiro folded his arms and slowly nodded. "Fine but you can't be lazy in training or school."

"Ah no fair." He laughed and shook his head. "Fine deal. Come on want to play soccer?"

Toshiro shrugged. "Fine why not."

Rangiku knew something was up with her captain. For whatever reason he didn't speak about his new assignment in the town of Akihara or why he would spend a lot of time there.

"Momo has he told you anything?" She asked.

"No he hasn't," Momo said. The young girl shifted her gaze. "I heard though that he is training a substitute soul reaper but I haven't met him yet."

"A substitute soul reaper?" she folded her arms. "Why wouldn't he tell us?" Looking up at the sky she frowned, "You know I say we see what he has been up to."

"R-Really are you sure?" Momo asked.

A smiled spread across her face. "Of course. Come on lets go."

She grabbed Momo's arm, the young girl protested but eventually decided to follow her. As they exited the Soul Society they soon found themselves in the town of Akihara.

"Alright now where could they be?" She scanned the area, there were a lot of people and her captain was pretty small.

"Hmm I remember running into him that way," Momo said pointing to a row of houses in the distance. "He seemed to be hiding something and quickly ran off."

"Then lets start over there," She declared.

Momo led her through the rows of houses. Captain just what are you hiding? They walked through the streets until they arrived at a large park.

"Wait I thinks that's him," Momo said pointing at two figures in the park.

She turned and looked at the two figures. Her eyes widened as she realized it was her captain. He was wearing casual clothes and playing soccer with a kid with brunette hair.

"Oh this is interesting," She said as they watched them play.

It was weird seeing her captain relax and play soccer with another person. Momo chuckled. "It seems he has a friend."

She covered her mouth and chuckled. "It appears he does."

"Should we introduce ourselves?" Momo asked.

She shook her head. "No I'll talk to him later."

As much as she wanted to embarrass her captain she could see that he was genuinely having fun. I'm glad he is relaxing. Looking at him play soccer like a normal kid made her feel happy for him, after all he deserved to have a social life too. I'll tease him later about it.