Hitsugaya Toshiro woke up the next day before the other possible recruits; however found that some of the tenth division members were already up that early in the morning. He saw them chatting about a few things, but didn't fill like joining in on their conversation. He just sat in the courtyard, enjoying the breeze that was flowing through.

He then saw that information was being put up on one of the boards that were used for communication in the division and stood up to go look for them. He noted that the list for the new recruits were up and scanned them for his name, first for those who were not considered ample for the Gotei thirteen, then those being transferred, then the normal list, then the one with seated positions.

"It isn't here Hyorinmaru," he thought to his zanpaktou.

"There is likely a very good reason for this Hitsugaya-kun," the dragon stated softly into his ears.

"Yet I can not think of one… I feel like they have forgotten me…" the boy suddenly commented, walking back to where he was to sit, putting his chin into the palm of his hand.

One of the tenth division members noticed him and walked over. "Are you the kid who blew a whole in the division training room?"

One of Toshiro's eyebrows rose up. His dragon then made the comment that he didn't want to hear. "Perhaps because of our little mishap, they have decided to degrade you to probation."

"That was rude and cruel," Toshiro's inner voice muttered to the dragon. "Do most zanpaktou's communicate as much with there shingami host as you do?"

"Shingami host… is that the best way that you can describe our relationship?" the dragon snapped. "And I was only stating what you fear the worst of."

"It was to describe the relationship of zanpaktou and shingami in general," Toshiro inwardly thought. "Do you really think that I think of you as a symbiotic being that saps the life out of me? Perhaps saps out my brain cells at times, but not my life."

"Did my Hitsugaya Toshiro just make a joke?" the dragon chuckled. "The reason I communicate so much with you is because you 'want' to communicate this much with me. You find me a useful source of information, a great asset."

"Stop thinking of yourself as some sort of stupid tool," came the white haired boys reply. "I don't like the sounds of that."

"Then do you consider me your friend?" the dragon suddenly asked.

"I promised myself that I wouldn't make another friend… however, I can only lose you if I die. But not friend… more of an irreplaceable part of me…" the boy suddenly stated, then realized that a hand was waving in front of his face. "What?"

"I asked you a question on whether or not you were the one who smashed the roof on the division training room. The other recruits stated that you were the only one left when they all left, and that the roof was fine," the man sighed.

"So what if I was?" Toshiro muttered, a tad bit upset with what had happened the previous day.

"Well… that means that you have a pretty powerful zanpaktou. It is quite understandable if one is just out of the academy if they can't control their zanpaktou's either, but to cause that much damage isn't due to control I think," the man stated.

"So… I still don't get the point," Toshiro closed his eyes and placed a chin in the palm of his hand while his elbow rested on his knee, which was crossed across his other leg.

"Do you know if we're getting to keep you? Or are you going to transfer to one of the other divisions?" the person asked.

"My name is not on the list, so how should I know," the boy grumbled.

"Ahh… no wonder your in a not so good mood today!" the man laughed. He then spoke more respectfully. "Isshin taicho has his reasons for doing everything. Perhaps he wants to see your skill some more or something along those lines?"

"I guess…" Toshiro muttered, not fully impressed. This was when some of the other recruits came out. One of the ones who had also graduated from the academy took a glance at him, then at the list, then back again, a small chuckle coming into their voice. That person then hurried off to wake the others who had graduated up.

One student walked up behind Toshiro. "I hear that the top student at our academy wasn't place. Perhaps it is because that you are too young to join?"

"Why don't you go and check to see where your name is on the list, before you prattle off about such things," the man sighed.

The boy hurried off, then let off an angry cry, "I didn't get a seated position? I am going to have to complain, as I graduated high on the list. Might have been first if it wasn't for that midget."

"I bet he isn't staying with our division. Isshin hates narcissists. And if he was transferred to another division, if he goes and complains, he might actually go and move him to the list of those not ready to join," the man suddenly stated. He then looked at Toshiro. "You have something on your mind?"

"Nothing…" the boy stated. "Just that I remember that he was one of the first people to volunteer and it wasn't because he wanted to get it over with, but because he wanted to show off. That girl there stepped up first because she's always been the one at the academy to take the lead. She would make a good seated position for her leadership skills, but was always nervous being placed into a leadership position."

A sudden cry came from the girl, "I got seated nineteenth!"

"So… your grades were not as high as mine!" the boy suddenly muttered, causing the girl to fold back. "You're also not from a noble family!"

Toshiro found himself angry, then suddenly stepping between the two without himself realizing it. "If grades were what were needed, don't you think I would be on one of the lists? I may not be good with names unless I actually meet the person personally, however, as I recall, she demonstrated more leadership skill then you ever did in the academy. All you ever did was show off and make people feel lowly when there ability was less then your own, and if they were greater then you and not of a noble family, you rubbed that in."

"So, what of it brat. As I recall, you came from the outside, just like Momo did," the boy scowled.

"Leave Hinamori-san out of this!" Toshiro snapped. "My point is, how do you expect to be in a leadership position, which requires people to respect you, when you are unable to show any respect? In fact, you give the nobles a bad name with your stupid behavior!"

"Why you little…" the boy suddenly grabbed for the front of Toshiro's clothing, however, the sound of clapping was heard.

"Papa's glad that Shiro-chan spoke up, as he is quite correct about the matter," came a voice following the clapping. Toshiro's face paled, and he made to bolt out of their by shunpooing, but the older boy grabbed his shirt.

"Hold on you!" the boy stated. "I am not finished…"

"I think you can just go home and not bother going to that division I was going to transfer you to," Isshin stated, losing his humorous state.

"You can't… what do you mean transferred…" the boy muttered.

"Ahh… you only looked at the seated positions, didn't you?" Isshin folded his arms. "You didn't bother to look at the other lists? As should be suspected, as that was the reason why I decided to transfer you… your full of yourself."

"You're of a noble family…" the boy muttered.

"So… I didn't get my rank my family name, got it?" Isshin muttered. "That is one of the reasons that I don't let people call me anything but Isshin, Isshin-san, or taicho. So do not bring that up again."

Isshin stepped up to the lists and scratched off from one list then placed on another. "And since I am of a noble family, you should know that I will let your family know exactly why I am moving you… actually, I had you on the other list and not this one because I have a great deal of respect for that family."

"Just because of this stupid kid?" the older boy snapped.

"Because of…" Isshin narrowed his eyes at the boy, a whole aura of killing intent there. "Hitsugaya Toshiro is not stupid, and while he is a child and will be for a long time, I've already made it clear to my division members that are all ready here that they are to refrain from making any comments about his age or his height. Only my third seat, my lieutenant, or myself can."

"Oi!" came an elderly voice. "I am insulted by that!"

"Oh… gomen!" Isshin held the back of his head, his killing intent leaving. "Old man thunder voice is allowed to call everyone in the division a kid, including me! Anyway… I suggest that you go home now, and once you've changed your attitude about life, resubmit your application to join. But from now on I won't be a lenient as I was, as your parents won't be expecting me too."

The boy set Toshiro down, then left to go pack his things in a huff. Toshiro glanced after the boy, then turned to the captain and bowed. "I apologize taicho-san."

"Ehh… what for? Apologizing here makes it look like your apologizing for causing a ruckus, which wasn't your fault really," Isshin folded his arms sternly.

"I apologize for asking that question so many times," Toshiro stated, standing up straight.

"Oh… well, I owe you an apology for that too Shiro-chan, as I should have told you why I don't like using my last name. Especially since the only reason you wished to use my last name, or anyone's for that matter is because of the way you were raised," Isshin sighed. "So one could say that was my fault too. Anyways…"

"Taicho… can I speak with you and the lieutenant for a few minutes to the side?" the division member suddenly asked.

"Sure," Isshin nodded his head and went over to talk to the man. Only a few bits could be heard, which led to more confusion for Toshiro. "Ahh… yes, that's why his name isn't on the list."

"But two of them?" the man muttered. "I understand there were two of those, but is that the same? What if they make the boy transfer?"

"The other will transfer before he will let that happen," came Atsuo's reply.

"I know that we aren't supposed to comment on his age, but…" the man had more whispers.

Isshin smiled though. "Ahh… I am glad that you've taken a liking to him. However, I feel that this is best, so don't worry!"

"Hai!"

Toshiro suddenly felt a wind behind his shoulders and knew someone was behind him. "Hinamori… I know it is you."

"Oh… Shiro-chan… I wanted to see what rank you got," the girl commented, hitting a sore spot with him, but he choose not to show it.

"I really don't care," the boy sighed, butting on the usual front so she wouldn't worry.

"Well… I made fifth seat, so Shiro-chan had to make higher, right?" Hinamori suddenly asked, a tad bit of jealousy in her voice. "Come on, lets look."

"Don't bother bed wetter Momo, I'm not on either of the lists," Toshiro commented.

"But… why… I'll ask your captain," Hinamori suddenly glanced around, then her face became complete shock when she saw Isshin in his captain's cloak.

"Isshin-san has his reasons. Possibly, he wants to make sure that it is all right for someone as young as me to be in the Gotei thirteen yet. So don't worry, he's a bit odd, but he is keeping an eye on me," Toshiro gave her a small smile, lying as he himself didn't know what was really going on, but knew this was what she wanted to hear.

"I could ask Aizen taicho for a transfer…" Hinamori muttered, glancing at the man.

"I like it here Hinamori," Toshiro commented, turning to the girl. "Please don't make me transfer, just because you want to keep an eye on me."

"Ahh…" Hinamori continued to stare at the man, still not sure about what to think. "But you're not into touching people…"

"What ranks did Kira and Renji get?" Toshiro quickly changed the subject.

"Oh… seventh for Kira-san and eleventh for Abarai-kun," Hinamori suddenly looked at him in surprise. She then, to his annoyance went back to staring at Isshin. "That crazy man is a taicho?"

"Mmm… yeah… he is," Toshiro commented. "I think he only liked to pretend to be crazy, to make the subordinates feel comfortable around him. While I don't exactly feel comfortable around that Isshin-san, at least not yet, I do feel comfortable around him when, one might say, takes charge of the situation."

"What exactly did he do that impressed you Toshiro?" the older girl asked.

"Taicho doesn't like being called by his last name because he is a noble and doesn't want that to affect how people see him," the small boy commented. "He also doesn't put up with anyone and actually has a great deal of respect for people, even though when he acts like a goofball, he never came across this way."

"But… isn't he as touchy feely as Ran-chan?" the fifth seat asked.

"Unfortunately… yes…" Toshiro muttered. "And he insists on calling me Shiro-chan. Which reminds me, your promise?"

Hinamori patted him on the head, a smile on her face. "I'm supposed to call you Hitsugaya!"

"It isn't a joke Hinamori… you promised…" Toshiro muttered.

"Ahh…" they were suddenly approached by the new nineteenth seat. "I would like to thank Hitsugaya Toshiro for standing up to me as he did. You didn't have to. I look forward to working with Hitsugaya-kun in the future and hope you stay with the division."

"You don't have to thank me," Toshiro scratched his head. "I don't know why I did that, I just know something told me I had to."

As the girl left, Hinamori smiled at him. "Even though you didn't make it on the list, I'm proud of you, that was really nice."

Toshiro couldn't help but to let out a groan at her comment.