Toshiro's constant attempts at trying to achieve Bankai were not going unnoticed, as he had ended up in the fourth division quite a few times. This wasn't hindering his job, but a few actually felt that something was wrong about the small fukutaicho. Isshin found himself slightly cornered after six or so months by the other captains at one of their later meetings.

"What is this I hear about your fukutaicho passing out constantly and ending up in the fourth division barracks?" Byakuya suddenly asked, his eyes narrowed at the man. "You should be better able to take care of your subordinates."

"I've heard about this too," Soifon spoke up. "This concerns me because I've found him to have quite a bit of spunk, and to be very passionate about his training. It wouldn't surprise me to no end if he has been overdoing it."

"I wouldn't say that he has been overdoing it," Unohana smiled. "He's been in my care every time that he has ended up in their, mostly from reiatsu fatigue, but a few times from drops in his body temperature."

"You are not at all concerned?" the eighth division captain tipped his hat in worry, glancing at Isshin. "What surprises me most is that you are not at all worried about him, which means that you very well know what he is up too, don't you Isshin-san taicho?"

"Well…" Isshin folded his arms. "I have to say, yes, I do. But I have to also say that I have full faith in him, that he is not up to something illegal, and that this is really something I should speak to Yamamoto about… I have my reasons."

"Please tell me we don't have another precursor to Mayuri," Soifon muttered, narrowing her eyes at them.

"Captain's meeting is dismissed," Yamamoto stated. "I wish to speak with Isshin-san taicho immediately."

The two men then watched as the captain's left, then Isshin turned to the old general. "So, the first thing I need to know is, how much you already know so I know where to start."

"Same as always, aren't you?" Yamamoto smirked. "From what Unohana tells me, we have both assumed that Hitsugaya Toshiro has achieved Bankai? Why not be upfront about it?"

"If say, a captain's position were to come forward, who would then be the first candidate to become the next captain? It isn't that I don't want Shiro-chan to go far, but… that child doesn't know how to be a child, and if he is thrust to early into the captaincy, then he is more likely never to learn… I am doing quite well with him. However…"

"There is something else worrying you?" Yamamoto frowned at this.

"I have the feeling that I have stumbled onto… some things, and that person might try to get rid of me, to put me out of the picture. I believe they have done it before," Isshin slowly commented. "I know the subject is supposed to be closed, but I get the suspicion that they were behind us losing so many captains so long ago."

"How much do you know about that incident," came the question.

"I only know so much, but I can take a gander from what I've heard," Isshin stated. "But anyways, should anything happen to me, I wish for Hitsugaya to become captain after me."

"You just said you didn't want to thrust him into that position," Yamamoto stated.

"I don't… but… I know him to well, and I know he was talking to Shiba before he died, in fact, that was who he first started working with on achieving his Bankai," Isshin stated.

"Shiba would have been trying to achieve it in case anything happened to Ukitake, as he would feel it was his duty. I assume that you say the same applies to Hitsugaya Fukutaicho?"

"Hai… that, and he'll be desperate to keep the division the way that it is. He may be a child, but he isn't blind to the fact that with new officers comes a change in the way the division is structured. The higher up, the harder it is. He felt that hard when Tomo Atsuo passed on," Isshin stated firmly.

"Any other reasons?" Yamamoto had one of his smiles.

"Because, he has the skill, even if he lacks the belief in himself. And this would allow for the other captains to help him grow as he needs to. I can't rightly trust Matsumoto to be a good influence," Isshin sighed.

"I imagine she could be a good influence on what not to do at least," the old general replied. "Actually, that is what most of the higher ranks in the Gotei thirteen are like."

"So?"

"I want a sealed scroll from you, Isshin, and an unsealed one. I have my reasons for doing so. I can't guarantee anything definite about all of this, but I will do my best," Yamamoto stated. "Also, to let you know, the forty-six are also pushing for him to become a captain once he has achieved Bankai and a spot opens up for him."

"Excuse me?" Isshin suddenly had anger in his face. "I am not to holding to them…"

"Every single one of them is on board with this, Isshin. Every, single one," Yamamoto squinted his eye. "So, if something does happen to you, and he can't pass the test, or can't get the number of votes necessary, I will result in pulling the fourth string."

"Elaborate," Isshin folded his arms across his chest.

"I trust you not to give this information out to anyone, but beyond the first three ways to become a captain, there is a fourth. The last captain to have this done for them was Hikifune Kirio, though she didn't need it. She is now of the Royal Guard, though I don't believe that young Hitsugaya would have that goal ever in mind," Yamamoto smiled.

"This fourth way I take has to deal with the forty-six?" Isshin's eyes grew wide. "They wish to interfere with his life again?"

"The fourth way is if all members have agreed, which has already occurred, on the condition of him having learned Bankai," Yamamoto smiled, then quickly frowned. "It is a good thing they do not know, as they might have gone ahead and pushed for someone to be appointed the Royal Guard, just to get Hitsugaya into a position."

"Thank you for this piece of knowledge," Isshin sighed.

"Who else knows?' Yamamoto frowned.

"Third and twelfth, ironically and respectfully," Isshin stated.

"Let's keep it that way for now. Be firm with Hitsugaya not to tell anyone," the man smiled.

M

Toshiro was walking sluggishly back from his latest training with Bankai. Tenth division was still quite a ways away. Taking a glance around, his eyes suddenly went wide from shock, realizing that he had taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up lost, placing him somewhere. His bones were tiered, and his body cold.

And the thing about this area was, it was where the bars were located, which caused him to let out a groan. As he glanced around the whole place, and saw that a small group had stopped to stare at him then proceeded to approach him, which caused him to back peddle and trip over something.

One of the men grabbed him by the arm and hoisted him up. "Fukutaicho, you don't recognize us?"

Toshiro had a hand clasped over his eyes, and preceded to peek through them. His vision blurred for a few seconds, then he recognized that they were from his division. "Gomen… my mind is not working as fast as usual."

"Figures," another man stated, scooping him over his shoulder.

"Hey…" Toshiro gave a weak protest.

"Looks like our drinking for today is done!" the other man told the rest of the group, which wasn't from their division.

"That is your fukutaicho!" one person suddenly laughed.

"He's just a kid," came yet another.

"Kid!" Toshiro suddenly felt more of his reiatsu leave his body. Normally, things would be getting cold, but his body felt suddenly hot instead. He also felt dizzy.

"Fukutaicho?" the man holding him stated, causing the other to clasp a hand on his forehead.

"He's been up to whatever he has been doing to get him landed in the fourth again,"

"Well, why else would he be down here, unless it was to get Rangiku," the other smirked. "Right Lieutenant Hitsugaya, you wouldn't likely drink?"

"He's too young to drink!" another person laughed.

"He's just to smart to get into a bad habit like us old men!" the other person from Toshiro's division called out.

"Just get Rangiku and tell her to meet us back at tenth!" the other man stated firmly as he held onto Toshiro.

"Why?" Toshiro suddenly asked. "Are you doing this for me?"

"Our division is like a family, and as such, you are a part of that family," the one not caring him gave a faint smile. "Plus… Isshin taicho thinks of you as a son to him. It is obvious to everyone in the division. Well, except for yourself."

"Did he say something to you to get you to tell me this," Toshiro asked.

"Well, no… we kind of have been getting the idea that he has been having a hard try conveying this to you, so we figured we'd give a hand," came the reply, "You still don't get it, do you?"

"Not really…"

"Hopefully, eventually, you will," came two smiles, though Toshiro's mind wasn't registering this.