The captain of the third division was good to his word, though many of the teachers were rather reluctant to advance Toshiro through the lesson plans, thinking that doing so wasn't healthy for someone his age. However, they quickly learned that the young boy dived into his studies whole heartedly, advancing to the sixth year in a matter of a short period of time.

The attitude of the other students in some ways changed, though he knew that some of the first years were still jealous of him, no one made remarks towards him about not belonging there. He still also had people staring at him as he walked through the halls; in fact, he ended up getting even more stares then he had before. This was something he could have done without, but he knew by now that people were going to stare.

With the changing of people, he also noticed a change in the way that Hinamori treated him. While she had come to him before freely to speak about Aizen and how she would get into the fifth division eventually, he found that she no longer spoke to him, keeping to her two friends Kira and Renji. She never voiced why the distance had come between them, but he had a few ideas.

Thus, most of his free time was spent in the library, listening to the quiet, trying to contact his zanpaktou. However, he was finding this a hard task, due to the fact he had no idea what the key to unlocking the name would be. He knew that for each shingami, the way to unlock the name was different, thus someone telling one how they accomplished it might not necessarily work, unless one listened to multiple stories, and that was no guarantee this would even work.

This was when the white haired boy found himself approached while he was trying to go into his inner world while he wasn't asleep. Toshiro was completely shocked when the boy had held out his hand in an offer of friendship. He was also surprised at the candid manner that the boy approached him when the first test results for the semester came in. Soon though, he wasn't surprised at the level of competition that existed between the two of them, nor the way that the boy treated him.

When summer break came, he found that he wanted to go and see his grandmother, however, do to the fact that his reiatsu was still not under control, the adults felt that they could not allow this. Hinamori had been excited to go home for the summer with him to see their grandmother too, so when he coldly told her that he wouldn't be going home for the summer in his usual manner, for once in her life, she actually took offence at this.

Sojiro, to Toshiro's utmost surprise, had chosen to remain at school, sending his family a well written letter telling them that he would be staying at school to study as it was the last year before he graduated. He told Toshiro the real reasons was, due to the fact that he could study no matter where he went was that he didn't find it fare that Toshiro would be spending the summer holiday alone.

The summer was fierce, so the cafeteria served relatively cold meals in order to keep their students from getting ill. Toshiro had taken a seat at one of the tables to wait for Sojiro to come and meet him. He received a few glares from a few of the students who had decided to remain at the school over the holiday too. He felt like squirming under their glares at times, wondering what it was that they wanted from him. Most were first years he also noticed.

However, this feeling was washed away by a very uncomfortable one when something soft pressed into the back of his head and two arms wrapped him into an immense hug from behind. He felt his body stiffen as he had an idea of what was going on and who was doing it, the question becoming a whole matter of why they were here and why were they doing it came up.

"Matsumoto-san, please let go of me," the small boy grumbled, instantly getting let go and hearing an annoyed sigh from the woman. He was suddenly startled by a trey clicking down beside him. He turned to speak to the person, "Sojiro… Isshin-san?"

"I thought that Ran-chan and I could come and visit Shiro-chan during the summer due to the fact that he wasn't getting to go home and visit family," the man smiled.

"Nose picker," Toshiro muttered under his breath.

"If you want, I could go ahead and pick my nose," the man stated.

"I am so sure that you would do something so unsavory as that when you are trying to eat. Only an absolute moron would do something like that," the white haired boy muttered. He then raised an eyebrow towards the man. "What division are you in?"

"I do not tell anyone as that would bias people towards joining my division," the man stated, accidently unscrewing the cap on the salt shaker, all of it ending up on the table.

"I want to know because I am already biased against it and I don't want to put in my application into you're division as you're an idiot and I don't want to have to deal with you," the boy muttered.

"Ahh… so you haven't decided what division that you are going to join?" the man leaned a hand on his hand.

"No… ahh… Matsumoto-san… I overheard you were in the tenth division," the boy suddenly perked up.

"Ahh… yes. Please don't tell me you have a crush on me like all the other guys do," the woman stated, frowning as she did so.

The white haired boy blinked a couple of times. "Why would I have a crush on anybody? The whole liking someone is… is…"

"Gross," Isshin suddenly laughed.

"I was looking for a better word, like vulgar," the boy narrowed his eyes at the man.

Matsumoto laughed. "I still don't understand why you would be asking me what division I am in. I mean, it is almost like you are considering my division to join."

"Actually… I am," the boy suddenly stated. "And before you go into that stupid crush thing, I owe Matsumoto Rangiku-san a favor and I intend to repay it, though perhaps I could do that in any division that I am in."

"Ahh," Matsumoto suddenly turned a tad bit pink in the cheeks. "I had better be going. I remembered I had a lunch date with Gin."

"You don't have a lunch date with Gin," Isshin suddenly commented as she hurried off.

"Did I say something wrong?" the small boy suddenly sighed. "Of course, should I be asking you this?"

"What… hmm… well, Rangiku is used to males liking her for her looks only, and that being their focus of their attention on her. That fact that you appreciate that she helped you… especially since you tend to be a rather independent child who can take care of himself… she kind of finds it as a compliment."

"Which reminds me… don't call me Shiro-chan," the boy muttered.

"Why not little one, it isn't as if…" there was a suddenly clicking of another tray down on the other side of the table.

"Hello Sojiro, what took you so long?" the small boy suddenly got a smile on his face which was quite rare to see.

"Uhh… you're… you're…" the older boy was staring straight at the man, complete shock on his face.

"I am who you think I am and I like to keep my rank and division secret because it might bias…" the man started.

"People against you're division, not for it," Toshiro piped up.

"I see that you've made a friend at the academy little one," the man stated.

"Please don't refer to my size…" Toshiro muttered.

"That's one of the things people still make fun of him for," the older boy stated.

"Ahh… I see," the man shrugged his shoulders, deciding to keep all such remarks to himself that was until a later point.

"Anyways, as for why I was late, my sister wasn't pleased about me not coming home and came to complain about the whole mess," the older boy sighed. "She can be a pain sometimes."

"At least she's still speaking to you," Toshiro muttered under his breath.

"Ahh… Momo-chan isn't speaking to you?" the older man sighed.

"No, she isn't," the boy sighed.

"I think Hinamori-san has gotten upset with the fact that Toshiro is in the same year as her now and that he is outdoing her in everything. Of course, he is outdoing everyone in everything," the older boy smiled.

"You come close though," the small suddenly blurted out, so uncharistically for his usual behavior.

"Ahh… thanks for the compliment Toshiro, however… I don't think I'll ever be able to compare to you," the boy frowned. He then narrowed his eyes. "I wasn't exactly happy with the way that she treated you about not being able to go home for the summer vacation."

"It doesn't matter… she at least has something other then granny to go back to their, and granny already understands," the small boy muttered under his breath. "I miss her…"

"Ahh…" Sojiro suddenly spoke up, but then was hushed by Isshin.

"The school's decision, not Hitsugaya Toshiro's, I assure you on this one," the man sighed, finishing up his food and getting up to leave.

"Ahh… Isshin-san… what is you're last name?" the boy suddenly piped up. "Granny tells me it is impolite to call people by their first names.

"I prefer to be called by my first name by people, which is why I am not going to tell you," the man smiled.

M

When Isshin got back to his division, he found himself being called to a meeting of the thirteen captains. Not to mention, he was also running late for this meeting. When he arrived, he waved his hands at them, "Yo… sorry that I am late. Next time send me a hells butterfly instead of my lieutenant!"

"We figured that you would be in the division with you're lieutenant… or are you as lazy as that third seat of yours," the tenth division scientist commented.

"Ahh… what is wrong with visiting one of the students at the academy who isn't allowed to go home for the summer," the man smiled.

"You speak of the child genius?" the fifth division captain smiled warningly.

"Ahh… yes I do actually," Isshin smiled, rubbing the back of his head as he took his place.

"Good, since that is the subject of why we are here," the general smiled, "Then your visit was a good thing."

Isshin frowned at this. "I don't recall seeing a need to have a meeting about a small child… he hasn't done anything wrong."

"Except that one incident," Unohana suddenly commented. "And before you ask how I know, I am head of the medical division, so the academy brought this to the attention of the general and myself."

Isshin shook his head at them. "This still doesn't tell me what this is about though."

Thus, Yamamoto spoke up. "This is because the child hasn't yet submitted his paperwork for the division he would like to be placed into."

"If any…" captain Kuchiki muttered. "I don't see why the child was admitted to the academy."

"There were reasons," Isshin sighed. "The matter as to why he was admitted I would rather keep between me and a select few others, as it rather goes into personal matters, and the child is very impersonal about things."

"As if anyone could be more formal the Byakuya," Kyoraku smirked, tipping his hat with humor, also receiving a glare from the younger noble.

"Actually," Isshin shrugged his shoulders. "The kid is a stickler for old tradition… he happened to ask me what my last name was so he could call me by it."

"My, my," Kyoraku gave of a big grin. "Such an odd little brat."

"The reason that we've called this meeting exactly is to discuss the future of the boy once he exits the academy. If he doesn't choose a division, which division he should go into, which one would be best for him," Yamamoto suddenly commented. "As a child genius, I am actually surprised that no one other then Captain Isshin has approached him. It was Captain Aizen who suggested this meeting."

"I wouldn't mind having him under my wing," Aizen commented. "But I've also heard that Gin has taken a liking to the boy."

"What?" the third division captain startled almost, but unnoticeably to everyone except the fifth division and a couple of others. "Well, Shiro-chan is a very interesting child… but Ran-chan's taken a liking to him. She might not be the best example when it comes to things like paperwork, but I don't think he needs her for that. More of for a tad bit of moral support."

"He is actually thinking about going into my division, and because of Ran-chan," Isshin suddenly commented, "He rather feels he owes her a dept of some kind, so he'll want to repay it."

"He doesn't need to be in any particular division to do that though," Soifon sighed with annoyance.

"Oh, I know… see, he already told me that," Isshin smiled, putting his arms behind his head. "I also know that while Gin likes the boy, Gin has told me the boy doesn't like him to much and to put him into the fifth division might not be a good idea."

"And why would that be?" Tousen suddenly spoke up, none to pleased ever about the tenth division captains antics.

"Because, I know for a fact that Hinamori Momo and her two friends have requested to be places with Aizen. Momo-chan is like his sister, and because he was pushed up to sixth year, there has been a strain on their relationship."

"So… the boy doesn't know what division you are from," the tenth division scientist suddenly smirked.

"Ahh… you only don't want him in your division because he might be smarter then you," Isshin suddenly commented, the nodded his head. "And no… he doesn't know what division I am in. He told me that if he knew he wouldn't ever wish to be in that division as he finds me to be a moron."

Yamamoto raised his eyebrows at this. "And yet he is leaning towards your division because of your third seat… irony…"

"Anyways… he isn't the type child that a division can approach about such a matter in the same way they recruit other students, as he really doesn't care," Isshin sighed. "And he might take offence with it."

"What exactly is so remarkable about this child…? I know he is graduating in a year's time, but we already have Gin," the helmeted captain spoke up suddenly.

"Because…" Gin smirked. "The child has a higher level reiatsu then I did at that age, not to mention, he is far younger then I was when I graduated."

M

One of the things that Isshin had picked up when he had spoken with Toshiro was the fact that the friendship with Sojiro was a very good thing for the boy, allowing the young one to open up more to those around him. However, it was a few months later when Yamamoto approached him with something that was to be kept between only a few people. Thus, Isshin had his second and third leave the office.

"I received news that Kusaka Sojiro and Hitsugaya Toshiro manifested the same sword at relatively the same time," the old man stated quite simply.

"My…" Isshin stated closing his eyes. "No matter how one looks at this, it is all bad."

"How so… the child prodigy is alive, is he not?" the old man stated.

"Yes, but the boy Kusaka Sojiro could easily be said to be the first friend that kid ever had," Isshin commented. "So either way, it is bad news."

"Which would explain why the boy wouldn't leave the room that they provided with him, until one Abarai Renji took matters into his own hands, even though he hasn't a clue what is going on… as the forty-six keep their decisions secret," the old man stated. "He took the boy to his grandmother for a bit. There is no telling when the child will return to the academy."

"That bad… the only thing that I have to worry about now is, if the information is supposed to remain secret, why are you telling me?" the man sighed, getting up from his desk.

"Because, I know that you can keep secrets when need by, Isshin taicho," the old man stated. "And I personally felt that it was in the best interest of the boy that someone older and experienced sits down and speaks with him about the whole matter. Otherwise I would have kept this secret to my grave."

"Completely understood," Isshin stated, hearing for the door.

"You aren't wondering why they both came out with the same sword?" Yamamoto suddenly asked.

"I know all ready. It has nothing to do with them sharing the same zanpaktou is has to deal with Shiro-chan's reiatsu being the way that it is, causing his friend to accidently go into his inner world at the same time… thus them both ending up with Hitsugaya's soul cutter. I also have the bad feeling that the reason that the boys key to unlocking the name was to gain a friend," Isshin stated more serious then he usually was.

M

Toshiro's eyes were distant as he lay up on the roof top, staring at the night sky, his zanpaktou lying next to him, untouched. "I am sorry that he died Hitsugaya-kun."

"It isn't your fault Hyorinmaru," the small boy stated. "Though… shouldn't it possibly have been Sojiro that was supposed to receive you as his?'

"No… I don't think so," the dragon sighed. "Let fate be what it is."

"I lost my best friend and that is all you can say?" the small boy snapped. "I am never going to get that close to anyone ever again."

"And why not Hitsugaya Toshiro?" a voice came, causing Toshiro to suddenly sit up; completely shocked someone else was there. Isshin stood there, his hand inside his shingami robes, scratching himself. He sat down next to his boy.

"What exactly are you doing here?" the boy muttered, resting his chin in his arms. "It isn't as if… it isn't as if I need your help or something."

"I heard about the whole forty-six mess," the man stated, causing Toshiro to glance at him.

"How could you? They forbid anyone to speak of it," Toshiro stated.

"The general felt that you might need someone to talk to, and knows I am good at keeping secrets," the man stated calmer then his usual demeanor. "You like looking at the stars?"

"Don't care," Toshiro muttered, irritated with the whole fact the man was there.

"So do I… the sky is always so calming, so reassuring, isn't it? A friend that can listen to what troubles you," Isshin sighed. "Only problem is… this friend can't talk back, can they?"

"Can they…" Toshiro muttered. "I've always felt the sky talking to me… now I know why… Hyorinmaru… he's a dragon."

"Ahh… so that is the name of your Zanpaktou I see," the man smiled. "Mine is… I can't rightly remember…"

"You can't remember the name of your own zanpaktou?" Toshiro's head shot up in shock.

"Got you. Of course, I know the name. It isn't something one ever forgets, when they first meet their soul cutter," the man smiled. "However… are you thinking about forgetting and giving up?"

"You mean not going to the academy?" Toshiro suddenly stated. "I believe that the goal of me going as soon as I did was to meet Hyorinmaru. I had no goals beyond that. And I want grandmother."

"So you do need someone after all," the man chuckled. "Anyways… wouldn't Ran-chan be disappointed if you don't graduate? She was looking forward and hording sake for it."

"Ahh…" Toshiro blinked a couple of times. "I can't drink sake…"

"Don't worry. When she throws her sake party, she always provides tea for the minors that come," Isshin smiled.

"That's not…" Toshiro let out a small groan. "You are so annoying."

"I've lost quite a few friends as a shingami," Isshin suddenly spoke up. "Far to many for my own liking. However, one can't forget them and one can't fall into despair. Do you think your friend would want that?"

"Was he ever my friend? He… Sojiro suddenly changed," Toshiro stated.

"One you two got your soul cutters?" the man smiled. "Just remember the good times, not the bad."

"Yeah… well, they said we were supposed to fight to the death… yet they didn't even allow us that," Toshiro sighed. "I didn't get to say goodbye either. I've been forbidden to go to his funeral."

"So… next time someone is about to die, do something so you have some sort of parting words with them, right?" Isshin suddenly glanced at the sky.

"You… you are weird," the white haired boy turned to the man, then noticed something. "You're… you're wearing a captain's cloak."

"Ahh… yeah," the man suddenly stated, glancing at the sky.

"What division…" the boy started, only to have Isshin grin at him.

"Bye-bye Shiro-chan! I look forward to your graduation," the man then shunpooed away.

Toshiro narrowed his eyes at the man, "What is with him?"

He then realized that something had been placed in his hand and blinked a couple of times, as what had been left was quite childish. It was a wooden whistle shaped like that of a dragon. A few days later, he went back to the academy.