In Preparation for Departure [ Anyone ]

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

It was ironic really. He didn't expect someone of his level to just leave on such short notice. Scratching his head he flipped through some papers. Signed off, signed off, signed off. Ugh, the work never ended, he thought. Dropping the papers on the desk bordely he sat back against the chair and sighed. Tomorrow, he was out of here for a bit. The real question was, why. Why was someone of his level going to the World of the Living? Oh, he had no idea. Apparently this little riddle one of the officers spotted was in reference to him, or at least that's what the report said. Ugh, what a pain. Personally, the captain thought it was rather pointless. Really, he should be sending subordinates there, not someone of his rank. Whatever, what was he going to do. Someone was calling him out and he was going to show his face and not be a coward. Maybe it would also give him a break from all this paperwork. As far as he knew this was going to be a simple, quick trip. He didn't have to deal with the thing for very long, right? As far as he knew.

Standing he placed all his finished work on the side of his desk to be sent in when he returned from his little mission he was going to embark in. Yeah whatever. It was going to be simple, he knew that much. It was a job for a seated officer at the max. Toshiro wasn't going to argue. He was just going to go with the flow and just deal with it. He headed towards the door where the halls were as silent as could be. The mood under his feet creaked slightly and it had a bit of an echo. Everyone was probably finishing up some las minute work before they left. It wasn't a terribly late out either. It just about time where everyone decided to take the night off and spend time with who they need to spend time with. Walking down the halls he crosses his arms and walked passed a few subordinates, who either saluted or bowed. For someone of his age, he was very well respected. It was one of the quirks of being a captain and a child prodigy.

Stepping outside, he sat on a patio and looked up at the sky. This wasn't the first time there was one of these written messages. There had be two prior to the one directed at him, each threatened the death of people by Hollow. He rubbed his face and thought for a moment. These attacks were too organized to just be random hollow attacks. Hell they were planned out and written about and everything. Things like that were just not something Hollows were capable of. They just weren't. Maybe by going to the World of the Living, he would find more clues as to what or who was planning out all these dated assaults. It was more than just coincidence, he knew that very well. It was ever so evident someone was behind it all. And what was more, why did said conspirator pick out Hitsugaya out of all people? Why not someone more... known, such as Kenpachi of the eleventh, or Kuchiki or the sixth? It didn't make much real sense, but he felt part of his purpose of being in the World of the Living was help figure this all out.

The sun was setting, and it was very evident that it was going to be dark soon. It was more like twilight. He sighed and rested his head on his hand, elbow being supported by his lap. It wasn't so much that he was bored... well, it was part of it, but more so the fact that all this was happening so fast. He didn't even expect to be called out like that. It was just.. well he couldn't describe it. Hell he didn't even know what he had to really do when he was there. All the Head Captain did was give him clearance to go there and that he was going to be deployed tomorrow. Nothing much else. Perhaps it was because no one worried about what was being put out there. The first round of Hollows were mere child's play. The next round, not so much... wait... there was a pattern here. Maybe that's why they let him go. The next round was probably going to be lieutenant leveled and above, and are estimated to be arriving at a reasonable amount of numbers. He snapped his fingers as if he had just figured something great out. Well, it wasn't great, it was a step forward in this whole damn mystery.

Unclipping the sling from his shoulders, he set the long blade that was Hyorinmaru beside him and looked back at the sky. It was a nice quiet nice, to say the least. There didn't seem to be another soul in sight. Everyone was too concerned about arriving back home and such. Too busy rushing to take advantage of the setting sun, which was just about to disappear from the sky. Rooms and windows were illuminated with light. May turned on and off, the majority off. If anything, the young captain as just bored. He had finished his work for today and the next day ahead of time, and there simply wasn't much for him to do or look forward to besides everything tomorrow. He yawned. It wasn't like Toshiro was going to walk up to some random stranger and start a conversation. Nope, he learned not to do that. The constant teasing when he was younger caused him to be more closed. He had adapted to such a lifestyle, and here he was alone on the porch with no one else to talk to. Not that he minded. No, the peace was fine. This was his prepartion for tomorrow. Easing his mind for tomorrow.

[Jushiro Ukitake]

So this was the third? There had been two attacks like this previously, the hollows increasing in strength each time, the first time the report had been that everything had simply run cleanly. There had been no serious issues, upon the second one things had been somewhat more intense though. The hollows had been a level above those previously, but still no huge threat. Now after all this time it was happening again, this worried Ukitake somewhat. Nothing had come of it last time, but he felt there was still more to this than may have been entirely obvious... Now things were coming together in a far stranger light, the riddle had specifically requested Hitsugaya. The previous times if memory served only a location had been given, but this time there was a location, a time... And the request for the captain. Something didn't feel right, the last time someone had gone into an unknown hollow situation all hell had broken lose, and caused so much pain. Though he'd not admit it Ukitake was worried, more so than he had been for a while. Instead of fussing though he'd chosen a better course of action... This one.

Walking into the office he lifted his hand to wave, mouth opening to deliver some greeting or another, and then he stopped. There was no one here? Hmmm, tilting his head to the side he placed a hand on his cheek and sighed. He hadn't left already had he? No, Ukitake doubted that was the case. That left him with on other location to try before he was forced to ask someone, and turning on his heel he strolled out with a look of relative happiness, and indeed despite his caution this was the soul reapers mood on things. What was the point of being gloomy when you may not have had cause? There simply wasn't one. The thing in life was that you dealt with issues as the arose, sometimes it didn't work out as you planed, but someway, somehow, it always did. That was what Ukitake had faith in, and that was why he could always pull a smile in the darkest of times. That smile though grew as he found himself stood in the doorway, the very person he was looking for right before him. Leaning on the door he looked up for a moment. “Watching the day draw in?” He asked out of the blue.

There was no doubt that the boy had known he was there from the very start, he hadn't really any intention of trying to hide the fact, there was no reason to after all. Turning his head back down he strolled forward in a couple of short steps, coming to a stop by the boy where he simply sat, no bothering to ask if he was okay to joining him for the reason that he was going to anyway. His company may not have always been wanted, but it always tended to be given regardless. Sometimes it was to offer a silent support, others just because his mood was good enough that any negativity seemed to go directly over his head. Laughing slightly he leaned back on his hands, tilting his head back once more. “I've always found this time of day to be perhaps the most beautiful... It spells the end for a short time, but it's drawing in something new as it does.” It was the way things always went, something ended and something new started. The light of day faded into the black of night... And yet it always became day again. The lesson he'd learned so long ago was that even after something terrible something wonderful was so very likely to happen.

Turning to face the captain with his standard smile in place as always he shifted himself slightly to better support his new angle. “Are you ready to go~?” Somehow between the two Ukitake near always seemed to act more childish, despite the fact he was very literally centuries old he still acted the age of one far younger. Mostly anyway. “It must be good, it's not so often captains get to go to the world of the living.” With a mild chuckle it was somewhat clear that there was more to what he was saying. It wasn't often that captain's went to the world of the living, and that was for a very good reasons. The strength of a captain was rarely needed for such things, if it was in this case then the situation had to be serious, though Ukitake perhaps knew this already. “I wonder why you were asked for, it's rather strange.” Tapping his chin in apparent though he turned away from the young boy once more, watching as the sky slowly darkened further, watching as people scurried about to return to their respective homes. The night was many things, some feared it, but when all was said and done the night hurt no one. To Ukitake it was simply another part of the day to enjoy, and in this case that entailed seeing his young friend off. If for no other reason than he could.

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

“Watching the day draw in?”

Not turning his head back, the younger captain merely grunted as a response, too focused on thinking than actually formally responding to the question. It wasn't a topic Hitsugaya cared for, in all reality. Despite the fact he disliked any things, he also enjoyed things as well. It was just that not many people knew what they were and only assumed what he didn't like were his actual likes. It was weird but he would shrug off any attempt of someone trying to make his day, since most people would actually make it worse. It was ironic but he didn't much care for that either. Little did he pay mind to, but it was just him trying to be an adult while still a child. It was hard to, but he had to deal with it. With his position in life and all that, it was rather hard to act a child. But then again, he didn't desire to be treated as such. Unfortunately, it was in the older captain, Ukitake's, nature to treat him as a kid, and quite frankly Toshiro didn't much appreciate it. But what were you going to do? Most of the time he shrugged it off with the older man. With everyone else he nitpicked at. Well, how were you supposed to keep an old man with a love of kids from appearing every now and then, like now, suddenly, from dropping by and saying hello?

“I've always found this time of day to be perhaps the most beautiful... It spells the end for a short time, but it's drawing in something new as it does.”

He merely listened as he just gazed up at the sky and watched it fade away, the light fluttering from the sky and becoming black. There were only wisps of light remaining now. It was a bit later than twilight now. That was most certainly evident. Like the old man said, it is the end of the day. But within hours, the sun would rise, and right there was a new day. Tomorrow would be an interesting experience. Out in the World of the Living. It was a treat for a captain, a rank which really doesn't require one to go to such a place unless it was direly an emergency. Was this an emergency? No, but maybe they thought that it was going to be one, perhaps. The young captain doubted it. Though when the subject finally changed, he turned to look at the long-haired captain and gave him a bored expression, complete with a raised brow. It was amusing to see what piqued his interest and what didn't. Usually things that concerned him did, and this certainly did just that.


“Are you ready to go~? It must be good, it's not so often captains get to go to the world of the living. I wonder why you were asked for, it's rather strange.”

He sighed. "Yeah." He stated in his usual blunt tone to both of the first comments. "Don't know. That's why I'm going to find out."

Perhaps it was foolish of the youth to think in such a way. Perhaps not. It was all based on how you looked at the situation. If you thought that this was a dangerous situation, then yes, think of him as the fool. If you thought it was something not to worry about, then he was acting appropriately. His nature tended to lean on something towards mature yet curt at the same time. His behavior also seemed to contradict each other at times. Was his maturity just an act, perhaps, perhaps not, but the logic lied behind age. No matter how much you try to act grown up, it often failed due to the fact you were just not an adult yet. He was a prime example, and as he sat down on the patio with an indifferent expression, he still lay deep in thought about the whole situation in the World of the Living.

[Jushiro Ukitake]

"Yeah. Don't know. That's why I'm going to find out."

The shortness of it all didn't much surprise Ukitake; it was something the young boy did regularly. Nor did the kind captain put any thought into it; something so simple really wasn't going to offend him, not when there were perhaps reasons within reasons behind it all. Even the strongest and smartest of captains would have found this a tad disconcerting, suddenly being called out by some unknown force, and then actually being allowed to go. It wasn't something that happened so often; rather, this was actually one of the first times Ukitake had heard of it being done. Hitsugaya very probably had a lot on his mind right now. "I'm sure it'll be interesting for you, you should probably make the most of being there if the situation isn't to dire~" It was a big if, but heck, as much as Ukitake treated the captain on a far more informal level than most, perhaps even to the point of regarding him as what he actually was, a child, he knew he was strong. He had a lot to learn still, but that would come in time, he was very likely more than skilled enough to deal with this situation. Hopefully anyway.


Grinning slightly he leaned forward, freeing his hands and pulling them forward to slip one of them into his sleeved, whereupon he proceeded to rummage around. To this he'd no doubt receive a sigh, grunt, or some other show of displeasure, buuuut as always Ukitake would simply ignore this, something not uncommon. A second later he pulled a box out in his hand. Unlike previous occasions it was one box, not a pile full, and this one didn't exactly seem to have any form of label on it. Twisting himself around slightly he held it out, that grin still on his face; if it weren't taken from him then he'd simply put it next to the boy. "I heard you liked it~" He stated with a mild chuckle. Now the question was to what it was could be simply answered, amanattō. Whilst not a well known fact Ukitake had found it a simple task to catch Lieutenant Hinamori and ask for a simple gem of information, favorite food. To a degree he'd been startled to find this as the answer, buuut he'd decided not to question it, instead he'd simply chosen to get some. One could ask why if they wanted, and of course he'd answer, but to most said response would seem. odd to say the least. It was easier just to put it all down to his kind heart.


Turning away again it was clear that somewhere in all this he was perfectly content, whilst true he could probably find himself peace in most anything, but in the near silence of it all something just seemed to work about it. Had it not been for his previous somewhat strange antics such as pulling things from his sleeves things would have no doubt been far more generalized, just two captains talking. Ukitake though always seemed to insist on making things somewhat more personal with things, trying to actually realty to those who really wouldn't want want to, or even let themselves. Strangely it seemed to work in some ways, alas not in others. "So how have you been doing?" Random topic changes? Yes, certainly, but Ukitake was hardly going to sit here and talk about business, that wasn't why he'd come here after all. He'd come to say goodbye, that was what did with friends after all, you said goodbye so they knew that even if they were alone you still cared for them. You could call it sentimental if you so wished, but this was Ukitake for you, he genuinely cared for most everyone, and frankly had no issues in showing such, even if it was unwanted at times.


Giving a mild turn to his head to duel watch the boy and environment he laugh, shortly after rubbing the side of his face. "Keeping out of trouble I do so hope." There was probably little hope of him actually getting in it, he wasn't really like that, usually anyway. For those who tended to act as something they were not, and shut out what they disliked there were always going to be problems, perhaps they'd only be small ones, such as people passing comments you'd rather they didn't, but sometimes the issues were bigger and hard to deal with. This was an issue all went through in their youth, perhaps more so at Hitsugaya's age. You were always trying so hard to show adults that you were mature, that you weren't someone to be looked down on, it would perhaps be worse for Hitsugaya in his situation and chosen occupation? Likely, but Ukitake couldn't say for sure, nor did he intend to push on the matter either. It really didn't have anything at all to do with him, and he'd long ago decided he wasn't going to pus for things people would be loathed to give him. "And not working yourself to death either~" Ah balance, that was what life was about, everything revolved around the fine art of keeping things going, and in this case the balance was work and relaxation. A habit Ukitake had long since mastered~

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

"I'm sure it'll be interesting for you, you should probably make the most of being there if the situation isn't to dire~"

He nodded. "I guess." He said. "I still find it ridiculous that they're sending me to do a seated officer's job." His tone was annoyed a bit. "I don't care if I was called out, it doesn't seem right."

Well, it was damn well true. Hollows of the predicted level should be easy enough for a someone with a high seat to take care of without much problems, and if anything, a lieutenant. This was stupid, to say the least. He puffed out air, trying to make the hanging hair over his face float back up, but gravity pulled it right back down. If anything, that section of hair was the only part of his hair that actually was bent downward. Everything else was spiked up naturally, like some white puffball. If anything, his hair was what gave him all the nicknames. Whitey, Snowball, they were all related to his hair. Then here was the most annoying nickname of all. Lil' Shiro. Oh lord wasn't that freaking annoying. If anything Momo was the one that called him that the most often, and he'd yell at her for it each and every time. Whatever. He had learned to not care anymore and just shrug off these annoying as hell names.

Ukitake's movements caught his attention as he saw them in the corner of his eye. He sat up straight and just looked at the older captain with a raised brow. Uhm, what was he going to pull out this time. With Ukitake, anything could come out of those sleeves. And when he said anything, he meant it. It was sometimes so annoying whenever the thirteenth's captain randomly dumped a crapload of presents on him. He did not complain, he just received them as they came. He either ate or used them, or didn't. But there was so much that was given to him that sometimes he couldn't make use of it all. But today he could. His raised both white brows as he watched the box leave the man's mysterious sleeves and appear before him. With both hands, Hitsugaya too the box and looked at it. It smelled of something familiar. He looked at the white haired man as he spoke.

"I heard you liked it~"

Furrowing his brows for a second, he looked at the box. He looked back at Ukitake, then back at the box, where he proceeded to open it. Flipping open the cover, he looked rather surprised. Oh, wow. He actually bought some for him? It wasn't the usual box of candies or whatever. This time it was actually something he liked The amanatto lay in the box, glazed in the sugar with their distinct color. Well, this was rather unexpected. The old man actually got him a confectionery he liked. He looked at Ukitake and raised a brow before putting a more soft expression on his young face. To be honest, he was rather pleased now. Ukitake was always the one to make someone's day. Sure, sometimes he annoyed the hell out of the young captain, but sometimes he also made him feel a hell of a lot better. It was if his thoughts stopped stressing him for the time being. They looked good.

"Where did you get these?" He asked, his tone both showing question and wonderment.

He took one and popped it in his mouth. Man, he hadn't had the time to really indulge himself in something he really liked. Often times he just had to settle for what was there. He remembered eating these while in the Rukongai a lot more often. They had some good amanatto there. But these were equally as good. All the same, he kept a serious face, his eyes closed as he tried to think about the taste, and how he missed the old days. Not only did he get them in the Rukongai, but also at the academy, where his grandmother sent the confectioneries to his quarters. Ah, those were the days. He opened an eye at Ukitake as he spoke and swallowed. Well, knowing the old man, he was going to ask that question sooner or later, so it was expected. He didn't bother to eat another one as he was going to involve himself in a conversation.

"So how have you been doing? Keeping out of trouble I do so hope. And not working yourself to death either~"

"Busy." Blunt and true. Everyone had a crapload of work to do, he noticed. "Because I'm a nasty little troublemaker." The comment was a sarcastic one. His expression showed something close to boredom, so it was only natural that he amused himself by being a bit sarcastic. He rolled his eyes at the last statement. "I have to do what I have to do, nothing I can do about it." He took another bean and ate it.

The conversation was a rather general one, and Hitsugaya was rather nonchalant about the whole conversation. His mind wandered off slightly, just enough to think about something else while still listening to whatever Ukitake has to say. But not only did his mind wander, but his eyes did. His green eyes looked back at the sky, which was now dark. Not a ray of sunlight was visible. Nighttime, it was. His eyes wandered to each star and gazed at them. It was such a pretty night. Not a cloud in the sky. He thought to himself. After this, he was out of here. The World of the Living was where he was venturing for sure. He didn't really want to, per say, but he was going to anyways. Orders were orders, and he wanted to find out for himself who the culprit for all these attacks were. It was obvious the Hollows were not smart enough, so there had to be a ring leader. He wanted to find who it was.

[Jushiro Ukitake]

"I guess. I still find it ridiculous that they're sending me to do a seated officer's job. I don't care if I was called out, it doesn't seem right."

Sighing he rubbed his chin for a moment, a part of him did feel Hitsugaya was right, and yet another didn't. Smiling though he just chuckled. “Of course, but there's no telling how strong the hollows there will be this time, they were far stronger during the second attack.” Even by prediction though the hollows would likely pale in comparison to any of captain class, there really was something more to this, and he just didn't know what. It seemed that only time would tell, he'd give advice, yet he wasn't going to fluster over it. In life there was little point worrying about what was to come, of this this felt wrong, but that didn't mean it necessarily was. He couldn't tell the future, he had no way of knowing what would actually happen, it just wasn't anything he could judge. It would probably be fine anyway, no one had been badly hurt on the last two occasions, and the ones sent then really didn't have strength anything close to a captain. Ah, it would likely all be fine~ Yet still. “Either way just watch yourself though~” With a chuckle there was hardly a trace of worry, just that same jovial attitude he showed so often.

Watching as the boy's face took on a vaguely confused expression, looking between himself and the box, Ukitake couldn't help but give a lopsided grin. “It won't harm you~” With a chuckle he shook his head slightly, simply watching as he seemed to get the point and flick it open his goofy grin turned into something far more genuinely content smile crossing him as the boy's expression softened. It was rare for the young captain to show such, all those hardened layers he surrounded himself in tended to mute his heart at times, hide it from everyone looking in. Ukitake knew so very well it was there though, and felt something close to a deep rooted satisfaction at actually being able to show it, even if it were only a glimpse. People seemed to think he just threw gifts on people because they were there, in part this was true, yet it was also the fact that he found an utter pleasure in making others happy. Why? It was just the type of person he was, he liked to help people, and he adored to see them happy. He never asked for anything in return, he didn't even want it, all he wanted was to see people happy. That was all he ever wanted from anyone.

"Where did you get these?"

For a moment he really did sound like someone of his age should, for once there was little concern, no bratish tone, just a little boy who'd been given a gift. “I was told of a few places in Rukongai that made it rather well~” It had been a rather interesting outing, a nice break from the office if he were entirely honest. Unlike some he was rather fond of the Rukongai, he liked the sense of community they had there, people for the most part tended to get along far better than the nobles, which was such a pity really. “If you'd like the addresses I'd be happy to give you them of course.” No doubt he already knew of one or two of them, simply choosing to focus more on his work than any desires he may have actually had. It was a pity really, soon enough though the boy would probably learn the meaning of time management. Ukitake suspected right now that he in part pushed himself to prove that he was more than just some boy with a rank, he all to likely wanted to be acknowledged as what he was, an incredibly talented officer. He likely felt he had so much to prove. Thouuugh, hey, Ukitake could no doubt be wrong, it was something possible~

"Busy. Because I'm a nasty little troublemaker. I have to do what I have to do, nothing I can do about it."

Busy... Yes, everyone seemed to be such right now, then again, weren't captains always? It was all a part of the job, though with good subordinates this wasn't such a problem. Pausing he laughed shortly there after, a more playful smile coming to him. “The worst I've ever met~” Hardly, for one the word 'nasty' didn't fit the boy in any way shape or form, 'little'.... he wasn't getting into that. As with the first 'troublemaker' didn't seem so true, more he tried to avoid it. No, it was obvioulsy a simple joke, not something to be taken seriously, and not something that was at all likely to be. Anyone with common sense would have both seen and known that Ukitake would never even contemplate saying something such as that in a more serious manner... It just wasn't how he worked... And speaking of work... “You can manage you time better, give yourself more of a chance to do as you want.” It was a gift meant captains learned in time, not all of course since there were some who still pushed themselves all to far, but many did. Saying such though wasn't likely to teach the boy, no matter how smart this boy was it was a lesson only he could learn.

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

“Of course, but there's no telling how strong the hollows there will be this time, they were far stronger during the second attack. Either way just watch yourself though~”

"Yeah yeah."He said as he brushed it off, his tone bored.

Bah, old men were always so worried. Why? Didn't they have this little thing called a positive outlook? Guess not, but Ukitake was very right. Hitsugaya had to be ready for the unexpected, right? Everyone had to. It was a fact of life. But even if you expected it, not always were you ready for it. It was just a fact of life. You just had to take things how thy are and just keep moving over. Toshiro was a fine example of this. No matter what, he kept soldiering on, despite whatever obstacles blocked his way. Despite his age and everything, he still managed to get things done, no matter the situation or problem. There was always a way around or through, and he could quickly pinpoint where to go and how to get there. To him it was simple, but to many it was difficult. Call it a gift or something he practiced, but whatever it was, he knew how to handle things quite well despite the odds before him.

“I was told of a few places in Rukongai that made it rather well~ If you'd like the addresses I'd be happy to give you them of course.”

He looked at Ukitake before giving a shrug. "Sure, why not?" It wasn't a literal question. He knew where the stores were, but, not the names. That or he couldn't really be bothered to remember what they were called at the moment.

Though deep in his heart, he knew these could never beat the ones his grandmother made for him back in the Rukongai. How he missed eating those. But he had to personally admit, these were not bad either. Ukitake knew where t look, he had to give him credit for that. He had always wondered why exactly Ukitake even went out of his way to get him these confectioneries, as well as others. Not that it bothered him, well, sometimes anyways. It made him feel like a little kid, and somehow that managed to annoy him. But Ukitake just seemed like the innocent old man who's always wanted to give out stuff because it made him happy. He understood it, and he didn't question it. He just accepted it, even when the gifts often seemed, well, strange. Sometimes they even baffled him. But whatever the reason, he knew it was in good spirit and good cause. That was the kind of person the old captain was. There shouldn't be a reason to question kindness.

"The worst I've ever met~ You can manage you time better, give yourself more of a chance to do as you want.”

He gave serious look. "Work comes first." His tone seemed dead serious for a split second, as was his expression, but at least the expression quickly faded back into that of a bored one.

Regardless of his age, he was close to something of a workaholic. Sure he wasn't that bad, but the boy tended to lean more to work than his personal life. It was just a matter of fulfilling his duty to show that he wasn't just a kid who took the rank of a position usually given to someone of older age. Hitsugaya wanted to prove that he deserved the rank, that he was capable of handling the work presented before him. He wanted to have a purpose. He wanted t just show he was more than just a boy with brains and a rank. He wanted to be useful. He just wanted to be something. He didn't expect anyone to understand. He just assumed everyone would just think of it as something that he shouldn't get worked up about. He ad the rank and the brains, so why push yourself? He never brought it up with anyone. They wouldn't understand. He sighed and rubbed his face.

Standing, he reached for his zanpakuto which was placed beside him, and reclipped the sash before crossing his arms and once more looking at the sky. His mind was just bored, yet, it couldn't stop thinking or calculating. He wanted to be prepared for everything. He wanted to be ready. He just wanted to be everything. The wonder boy of the Soul Society. That's what they called him. Such an ego-boosting title, wouldn't you think? But even the praises he was given didn't phase his way of thinking. He was not an arrogant brat, nor a conceited individual. He simply felt that he had a job to do. That was all. And the job given to him now was to investigate the Hollow attacks. It had been a year, and yet things didn't look too good. There had to be something out there. While he still looked at the black sky, he spoke.

"Tell me something." He paused. "Do you have any suspicions?"

These attacks were all too organized. While he was having his suspicions, it was only natural to ask if someone else had them as well.

[Jushiro Ukitake]

"Yeah yeah."

He made it all sound so simple, ah, the naivety of youth. As long as nothing went to wrong it wouldn't be such a bad thing, rather educational. Oh this child was a genius by any standard, one of the brightest the soul society had ever seen, buuuuut he did have a lot to learn. Ah well~! Everyone got there in the end with just a little hard work pushing them on to their goal. “As confident as ever I see.” With a chuckle he shook his head slightly. Confidence was good, it was what kept you going, overconfidence however was most certainly not. Ah, Ukitake had utter faith Hitsugaya was not that sort of person, he didn't even think he need bother mentioning it to him. It would probably cause a small spat on Hitsugaya's side of things, that was something the older man diiiidn't want, right now he was certainly content enough to just sit and enjoy the others company. One so many would avoid and call icy. A pity really, there was hardly anything wrong, rather it was perfectly fine. Though perhaps this was just due to the older man being biased and fond of the oddly numerous similarities they shared, hair being one such factor. Haha! It was oddly as if someone had done it deliberately, fancy that~

"Sure, why not?"

With a grin a brow cocked in evident amusement. “When you get back then~” Oh had them with him, it was a simple matter to hand them over now if he so wished. Even if the boy was perhaps only doing all this to humor him he didn't much mind, he'd keep playing the game for now, if only for a mild satisfaction to it all. It was all just a small triviality to pass the time, yet something not uncommon for the older soul reaper, though in a way it meant something more. "Stop by my home when you get back, I'll prepare some candy~" Below it, intended or not there was a promise to his words, something that meant more than was clear on the surface. He tended to see the best of everyone, and everything, giving compassion to it all. What he was doing right now was simply diverging the young boy's thoughts from work, something they seemed to orientate themselves around to much, something sad since Hitsugaya really didn't have anything at all to prove to anyone. What he didn't seem to get was that people already believed in him, if they didn't he wouldn't have been given the rank in the first place, these things were hardly based on skill and intellect. You had to have the heart too. And have it the child did. He'd see it, sooner or later, even if Ukitake had to keep pushing him toward it he'd see one day.

"Work comes first."

Laughing he just shook his head, of course he'd say that, Ukitake had expected nothing else. “Of course~ However a little time management wouldn't go amiss you know.” Funny, perhaps the boy thought Ukitake had retained his position through slacking off? Nope~ He was incredibly efficient, he managed to perfectly balance his work load with everything else. Unless ill none of it was ever put on anyone else, it was his duty and thus he'd fulfill it. But in all honesty, you could never let the work take up your whole life else... Well it wasn't much of a life at all. You had to have goals and hobbies, these were what made you the person you really were, they made you someone that could lift yourself back up if you fell. Regardless, the captain with him was young, he had a whole lifetime to learn all of this, for now Ukitake would simply nudge him in the right direction, regardless of if he really wanted it. Eesh, honestly, he should thankful someone was willing to give the benefit of experience~ Honestly he didn't so much mind. Though the light heartedness was put aside as the boy asked a question, one that needed more than a joke to answer.

"Tell me something. Do you have any suspicions?"

Of course he did, his mind was coming up with many a possible idea as to this whole thing, few to none of which he actually liked. There was something wrong and he knew it, if even one so positive as this man was suffering any form of negativity about this then there was so obviously something wrong. Ukitake looked forward, picking out all that was good and right, yet now even he was worried. This wasn't right. “Yes.” Nodding slightly he paused for thought. “Someone, or something, must be behind this, someone able enough to control and organize the hollows.” It wasn't something he'd heard of, in all likelihood he supposed it could have been a higher class of hollow, Vasto Lorde perhaps... But that didn't seem right, something about that idea seemed off to the wise old man. “The fact this is the first time someone was called for specifically just feels strange in my books.” He didn't trust this whole situation at all, and the more serious edge to his voice showed it. It didn't fit right in his mind, it never would in all honesty. “I'd be incredibly careful if I were you, Toshiro.” The boy probably would be, but he wasn't the most experienced of people, smart or not he did make rookie mistakes at times. The old captain could honestly say he hoped this would not turn into one.

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

“Yes. Someone, or something, must be behind this, someone able enough to control and organize the hollows. The fact this is the first time someone was called for specifically just feels strange in my books. I'd be incredibly careful if I were you, Toshiro.”

He absorbed the words easily. He nodded. he understood. This was something rather strange and whoever became involved had to proceed forward with great caution. This wasn't something that ordinary. It was something unusual, and crafty. An organized crime. It took people with a sharp mind to figure it all out without killing themselves. He knew that by the time this was over, there were going to be deaths. He knew this very well. He wasn't going to let his guard down for a second. One false move and it was all over. His expression hardened slightly has he continued to think. He didn't have to say anything to tell that he was thinking deeply about the situation. His hand found itself on his chin, stroking the bottom of it as his eyebrows furrowed, showing his frustration.

And he was quite frustrated. Just how was this possible? Well, of course it was possible, it was happening and similar instances happened before, but, what kind of person would take the time and plan this all out, and why call out him out, out of all people? He didn't stand out as much as all the other captains, so, why him? There had to be a specific reason, more clear than "because they wanted to." That wasn't a reasonable answer in his mind. That was a stupid excuse, and if someone was smart enough to plan out everything and execute the plan, then of course they weren't stupid enough to just pick a random Soul Reaper out of a hat. That was foolish and stupid. If the person behind this was really tat stupid, than someone else must always be behind this. He didn't have faces to put this on, but he could estimate that one or two people conspired all this. He looked back at Ukitake.

"I'm going to put this down on one or two people, three just in case..." He said musing his thoughts. He sighed and lowered his hand by his side and turned. "Whatever the case, I'll head out tomorrow, and come back the day after." His tone made it sound as if his answer was absolute. he began to walk off back into the veranda, sliding open one of the shoji doors and looked back at the old man. "I will see you then."

Looking back in front of him, he proceeded to walk through, sliding the doors behind him closed once more, holding the box of ananatto in his other hand by his side. The youth released a sigh as he stood still for a moment, still thinking. Oh great, now this was bothering him. He grunted as he took another step to proceed through the quiet hallways of the headquarters. The more he thought bout it, the more frustrated he was getting. Ugh, this would be so much easier if he had a face to put this all on. Then that way he could better predict and calculate what the person would do, as well as possibly motives and what not. But without one, it's like giving a lost cat back to just anyone. What's the point? There wasn't much of anything. Now it seemed completely quiet. Lights were still on but of course, there was no one. Hm. Well it was late, and the only thing heard was the boy's footsteps underneath him and his haori flapping slightly as he walked at a brisk pace. Might as well get the sleep soon.