Wizard and Deat Reaper: Hogwarts
Chapter 38's

Harry chose to avoid anyone this time. He knew that almost everyone would be in the Great Hall or the post-battle hospital overnight. Choosing to ignore the fatigue and drowsiness that began to attack him, he tried to think of where the place was quiet that he could go, away from the crowd.

And the choice was the Owl Cage.

He must sneak up on the children of Hogwarts who still seem frightened and anxious after the chaos that just ended a few hours ago. The summer sun that morning was grim for him, with his mind still filled with all the explanations Dumbledore had given him. His brain was also crammed with all sorts of pieces of overnight combat. Flashes of spells….

Harry shook his head, feeling the coldness of his heart. Fear loomed.

Is he not in a place where the people who protect Hogwarts gather? Choosing to be alone with all his own feelings?

The empty owl cage. There were only owls there, as they should have been. He saw Hedwig flying low to him, perched on one of the pedestals and looked at him with her wide yellow eyes.

"Hi, Friend," Harry greeted in a hoarse voice. Hedwig is short-tempered. Harry stroked the owl's white head. And, he fell down.

He finally knew it. The reason why Lord Voldemort came to the Potter family home fourteen years ago. The reason why he hunted him. The reason why his parents died. Not only that, but he also knew the path that lay before him. There was only Lord Voldemort at the end of that road. And he could not turn from that path. There was no chance to escape from him.

"Harry?"

Harry looked up, a little surprised. Sirius Black stood in the doorway. At first it looked a little pale and its steps were a bit limped. His robes were torn here and there, and there were some visible wounds starting to close on some parts of his face. His right arm was sheathed in bandages. Harry was happy to see that he was not in danger of life. But this time Harry didn't want to see it. He wants to be alone.

"Yoruichi told me you were here" said Sirius, walking up to him in slow steps. "They're really great, being able to track down just by recognizing magic energy."

"Is everything okay?" ask Harry slowly.

"Yeah" said Sirius, sitting next to Harry, slightly beaming. "Ichigo really learned, eh? He knows many counter curses; he he heals me." Sirius touched the bandage along his right arm. "And his father turned out to be a Muggle doctor, he handled some non-magic wounds, coupled with that shinigami magic, kidou, as they called it. Tonks may take a little longer before he can walk again, but the rest, everything's okay."

"Well, what about T-Toushiro?" asked Harry trembling.

Sirius sighed. Harry immediately regretted asking that, as his wave of guilt hit him even greater.

"Kisuke and the Orihime are still handling it. And their friend, if not mistakenly named Tessai also came to help him. I don't know…"

"Very bad, huh?" murmured Harry grimly.

"I can't hide anything Harry, I can't tell lies either" Sirius said.

"Have you known... all this time?"

Sirius sighed again. "Yes." Yeah." Sirius saw the sadness and hurt in those green eyes. "I'm sorry, Harry."

Yep. He could only say that, not knowing if Harry accepted it or not. He could not blame Dumbledore's decision. Nor could he recall a defense for himself that ruled out the fact that Harry deserved to know everything. Everything has happened. There is no point in giving any reason.

Everything has happened.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Shunsui Kyouraku is not the first time to set foot in this place. This castle. A magic school protected from the reach of humans who are not witches. Teach the young witches to control their magic power. Give the children a chance to learn their talents. On here. In a sturdy stone building that has stood for centuries as its protection.

Over the centuries, the castle has made a certain impression on him. Mystical. Gracefully. Imperious. No one can reveal what is hidden behind its walls. What's hidden in the hallways. What's hidden under his basement.

However, for the first time, the majestic castle made him, Supreme Commander Kyouraku Shunsui, not want to be there.

The former battle is still clearly visible in the schoolyard. The ground cracked and formed deep recesses. A number of trees that fall or are uprooted from their roots. Rock parcels in various sizes were scattered everywhere. Even the dust was still floating indifferently in the gloomy morning air. Even more nauseating, were the patches of blood on the ground, which refused to absorb the fishy dark red liquid.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was established to protect the children within. Look at what happened to protect them.

Kyouraku sighed. He glanced at the middle-aged man who was walking somewhat behind him. Shitara Genjiro. A member of Centra 46 is sent to see the condition of one of the Gotei 13 leaders who was injured in his duties. He knows why Cenra 46 would bother to interfere with this kind of accident case, but usually they will not bother. They will only move if a commander is really killed, looking for a replacement candidate. But this time, a commander is wounded in his duty with an unusual cause. Causes indicated as a threat to the balance of the Gotei 13. And he, my Kyouraku, doesn't like that reason. Not at all.

But, even though he was the Supreme Commander, he could not stop the decision of the Soul Society Judicial Council. This time, he had to think of a way to save Toushiro Hitsugaya from the 'needle hole' of Centra 46 law. Whatever it is, he'll find a way. He is tired of the face replacement of the leaders of the Gotei 13. Too many *****bizarre named reports to be taken care of because of that. After the bloody war against Quincy was over, he wished he had peaceful days to take a nap after drinking a bottle of sake.

Was the request even too heavy?

"My heart."

Seen by him Juushiro Ukitake stood on the lower steps towards the Great Hall. His pale face looked tired and gloomy. If you already know the situation, there is no need to be a genius to guess what the cause is.

"And Shitara-san." Ukitake gave a polite nod, which was answered with a stiff head from the Centra 46 envoy. "Welcome to Hogwarts."

"How's the battle going?" ask Kyouraku even though he already knows the results; Soi Fon immediately reported what happened thirty minutes after the battle was over.

"They're all doing their best to protect this place" Ukitake said.

"Even at such a high price" commented Kyouraku. "How's Shiro-chan?"

Ukitake sighed. "You can ask him directly with Kisuke. Looks like they're done."

"He's alive?" ask Genjiro stiff.

Ukitake nodded. "Thankfully. She was lucky; Inoue-san was here."

Ukitake takes the two to the hospital ward. Along the way, they cross paths with a number of Hogwarts students who look at them with mixed gazes between fear and curiosity. It's quite interesting actually, if there's no such thing as this.

They met Urahara at the door to the hospital ward. The former Division 12 Commander's face looked solemn this time. However, he was still able to greet Kyouraku and Genjiro with his usual casual tone.

"Go straight to the point, then," Genjiro said immediately. "The other Centra 46 members would like immediate confirmation of the 10th Division Commander's circumstances."

"I know, I know," said Urahara, maintaining his calm voice. "But it would be difficult for me to tell the same thing over and over again, which is why I haven't told the others this. What if we get together first? Minimum enough with the commanders."

"I agree" said Kyouraku.

"alright. I'll tell the others first."

And Urahara disappeared into the hospital ward. When he returned, all the commanders sent on the mission walked with him.

"Who's the-?"

"Don't worry" Urahara said, calming Ukitake down. "Isshin is guarding Hitsugaya-san at the moment. Now, there are some things we need to discuss, like I promised you. My office is near here."

So, led by Urahara, they all left the hospital barracks.

"I can't believe Centra 46 actually intervened in this matter" Yumichika said.

"They moved because of the supreme law required for the Gotei 13" Renji said seriously. "Shinigami are forbidden to have hollow power. We all know that."

"Then," said Hermione nervously. "T-Toushiro…."

"The Supreme Commander will definitely do something to help him," Renji said. He looked at Hermione. "You called Commander Hitsugaya by his first name?"

"D-yes."

The shinigami, except for Ichigo and Yoruichi exchanged astonished looks. Of course this made some witches wonder as well.

"Why?" ask Bill to know.

"In Seireitei, Commander Hitsugaya did not allow anyone to call him by first name" Rukia said. "We can understand him; despite his young age, his position is still higher than ours."

"Or at least call him by his last name" Renji said. "If not, well, I'd rather not imagine it. Sometimes Commander Hitsugaya can be very temperamental. I'm surprised he let you call him by his first name. Usually only Hinamori and Commander Ukitake can be tolerated. And this Carrot Head…."

"Oi!"

"Yeah, maybe Commander Hitsugaya is tired of dealing with that guy's stone head" Rukia said.

"Oi!"

Meanwhile, in Urahara's office.

"The conditions are for the time being stable," Urahara said, explaining the state of the 10th Division Commander. "His Reiatsu is still weak, but due to Inoue-san's help, all of his physical injuries can be healed in a relatively short time. Moreover, the Hougyoku in his body also gave him a slight advantage; his recovery was super fast. It's just that, rather than his physical injuries, I'm more worried about his mental state."

"No wonder. If anyone infiltrated your inner world, there must be something wrong with your brain" Shinji said.

"What do you mean?" ask Genjiro.

"Hollowfication," said Urahara grimly, making the Centra 46 envoy turn his back in surprise. Nevertheless, the commanders around him seemed to already know that it was going to happen. "Hitsugaya-san was hollowified due to Hougyoku's influence. Unlike the temporary hollowfication I created for him in the war against the Quincy for his bankai, there is nothing that can be done to get rid of him."

"Ah, it's getting more complicated" said Kyouraku, lowering his rapids. Another commander infected with hollow power. Yep. So it's getting complicated.

"As long as we – me, Tessai, and Inoue-san – heal his wounds, he undergoes hollowfication. But I need to say that the change did not start with his physique, as it did with Shinji back then. The change happened first in his inner world, only his physique changed without him noticing…"

"How long?" sela Kensei's.

"Nine minutes and thirty-seven seconds" said Urahara grimly. Recall how he and Tessai attempted to deal with the drastic changes during the hollowfication that occurred to Toushiro. It was strange and fortunate for them because Toushiro Hitsugaya had completely lost his consciousness and his injuries had weakened him, so that he does not attack them savagely as happened with the Vizards a hundred years ago. Nevertheless, the dark hollow reiatsu that was beginning to form within him really made his breathless. If it wasn't because he and Tessai were shinigami with above average reiatsu numbers, and Orihime had the determination to save her, they would have just given up. Observing how a hollow mask similar to a dragon face formed on the pale face of the 10th Division Commander really made little guts. And they could do nothing but let the young commander fight alone against the hollow within his inner world, while they tried to heal his physical wounds. "I'm almost sure he won't last more than five minutes. He stopped breathing twice; no wonder, the Arrancar damaged his left lung and his heart was also injured. It's like a miracle he can still survive."

"What about the Hougyoku?" ask Soi Fon.

Urahara sighed. "For the time being, we have not been able to get that thing out of him without risking his life. His reiatsu was indeed stable, but it was still far below his normal limits, after his hollow reiatsu came out and nearly killed him."

"That doesn't affect the others?" ask Kyouraku.

"We put a protective kidou around it. Tessai also adds to its protection. It can be very dangerous if it is felt by others, let alone witches, alive or dead."

"What does that mean?" ask Genjiro.

So Urahara explained about one of the events that occurred during his mission and three other shinigami at Hogwarts, namely the transformation of the Bloody Baron the ghost of the Slytherin dungeon. According to his analysis, the ghost turned hollow after the arrival of Arrancar at Hogwarts on the night before Christmas. He assumed that at that time the Arrancar named Viendo was sent to investigate who the shinigami assigned to guard Hogwarts. However, the arrival of the Arrancar with his hollow reiatsu affects one of the ghosts, who has a greater 'sin' than the other. It makes the ghost transform into a hollow.

"Then, wouldn't it be better if we take him back to Seireitei?" ask Byakuya. "There, with a denser and purer concentration of reishi, he would get better healing without risking humans here."

"So did Isshin, too," said Urahara. "But under such weak conditions, he would not be able to survive the journey through Dangai, and that is, would not be able to reach Seireitei."

"He probably won't have a place in Seireitei," Genjiro said coldly.

All eyes were on the man.

"You can't just decide that" Ukitake said.

"The law you already know, shinigami are forbidden to have hollow power" Genjiro said.

"And it wasn't Hitsugaya's fault for accepting it!" gertak Kensei's. "That Arrancar made it so!"

"Shinigami is hollowified, and it was only a few minutes ago that he was actually confirmed to have it! What assurance can you give that he can control it and is harmless?" genjiro kaku said.

"A Vizard," said Kensei.

"An untrained Vizard," said Genjiro. "As dangerous as a beast…."

"Either. Hitsugaya-kun has always been far from the word savage," interrupted Kyouraku. He sighed. "I have given your opinion, Shitara, that the execution of Centra 46's planned execution of Commander Hitsugaya will be opposed by the Gotei 13."

"You know the rules! That rule was made by the Soul King for the balance of the world!"

"But you let us be on Gotei 13" Shinji said, his eyes narrowing. He looked at the Centra 46 representative with anger hidden behind his stiffness. "You are silent about our existence. You were silent when Supreme Commander Yamamoto allowed us to lead back the Gotei 13. Why are you making a fuss about that now, when Hitsugaya is the same as us?"

"This has nothing to do with you guys" Says Shitara.

"Oh, there's just one." Kensei crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking bored. "Did the five commanders who turned out to have hollow power threaten that damn law?"

Silence for a moment after Kensei's words.

."Ah, that's a little rude, Kensei," Urahara said.

"That's a fact, isn't it?" kensei said he didn't care.

"More than hollowfication, he's got a Hougyoku in his body! If he's as immortal as Sousuke Aizen, that's unacceptable to Soul Society!"

"We still don't have any evidence that it makes him immortal" Soi Fon said coldly.

"True, let alone Hitsugaya-kun's wish in Hougyoku's influence was to end his life," Ukitake said grimly. He looked at Shitara earnestly. "In my opinion, until the state of Hitsugaya-kun can be fully ascertained, also considering Hitsugaya-kun's own opinion, Centra 46 can not decide something as brutal as that."

"Brutal or not," said Shitara, staring at the shinigami in front of him sharply and firmly, "that is what has been established. Soul King himself, makes us govern all laws, regulations, and all matters of authority as his representative."

"I'm sure there's a rule that Centra 46 listens to excuses" Kyouraku said seriously. "Truely said Kisuke, don't make the same mistake as a hundred years ago that was done to the Vizards. Or a mistake like Centra 46 did to Hitsugaya-kun before while he was still in Shinou Academy."

"What does that twin zanpakuto thing mean?" chirps Shinji.

"Right," said Ukitake, his tone was a little cold. "Your predecessors made a mistake. Centra 46 shouldn't interfere with what's in the Academy. When the twin zanpakuto incident was Centra 46, both Toushiro Hitsugaya and Soujiro Kusaka were still Shinou students."

"They deal with the old laws of Soul Society; no two shinigami can hold the same zanpakuto…."

"That makes one have to die and the other bears all his burdens" Ukitake said, still in a cold tone. "And you will make the same mistake again, making someone responsible for something that is not his fault at all."

"Whoa, Ukitake seems to be getting angry," said Shinji, slowly.

"From now on, *****," soi Fon sizzled.

"The bottom line," said Kyouraku, is that the debate will potentially lead to danger, which will cause the situation to become more complicated and troublesome. "We, the Gotei 13, do not approve of the execution plans for the 10th Division Commander. In addition, I'm tired of taking care of the reports about the division leadership that changed, and I haven't found a commander for Division 8, and you're instead intending to eliminate one commander from the Gotei 13? My paperwork is enough…."

So, after a few sentences of debate later, the Centra 46 representative agreed to wait. For a while, this made the shinigami able to breathe a sigh of relief.

The first stage to convince Genjiro Shitara that the 10th Division Commander was not a threat was to let the Centra 46 representative see for themselves how Toushiro was doing. And so, after the meeting ended, Urahara brought Kyouraku and Genjiro back to the hospital. As it turns out, Toushiro's treatment place is separated from the other patients.

"We still shouldn't take risks about some things" Urahara said, pointing to another room next to the hospital's matron office, where the petite commander was located. "here. This room is already lined with some kidou spells and magic spells."

When Kyouraku entered the room with Urahara and Shitara, the cold immediately felt biting on his skin. Seeing him on the bed beside the window whose curtains were open, Toushiro Hitsugaya lay unconscious. His skin looked as pale as paper, barely matching his white hair. The expression on the young commander's face was not calm; his eyebrows were fused together in deep agony as if in great pain. The white yukata she wore made her look very unwell, plus a pale blue blanket that covered her tiny body. At first glance, Toushiro looked like a terminally ill child. However, as a shinigami, he could feel the irregularity of the patient's spiritual energy. He who has for centuries recognized battle, reiatsu, shinigami, and hollow can feel it.

Darkness begins to eat away at Toushiro Hitsugaya.

Starting off? Maybe even already.

"It's a little cold." Isshin Shiba who was sitting on a chair beside the bed of the white hair stared at Kyouraku and Shitara without blinking. "Rangiku-chan came during your meeting earlier. He said Toushiro could recover faster in a low-temperature place. One of the teachers at Hogwarts is bouncing around the room." Isshin looked at Urahara. "And right, he's a little better; he can breathe normally now."

"Ah, very good," said Urahara happily. He turned around to face Shitara who was looking at Toushiro with a full-fledged look. "Look, he's not dangerous at all, is he? He can't even move a finger!"

"We still don't know what happens if he's conscious" Shitara said.

"Oh, obviously, in my opinion; the shock was heavy," Isshin said sarcastically. "Have you decided anything?"

"Yes. Something like waiting and seeing" Kyouraku said. Isshin snorted exasperatedly.

Meanwhile, in the hospital ward.

The atmosphere was no longer as crowded as before. In addition to some commanders not returning to the hospital after the meeting, there were several other witches and shinigami. Ron and Hermione had already been allowed to go out and choose to find Harry and Sirius. Ichigo has also disappeared, going to the Gryffindor Tower to look for Neville. Ulquiorra left the hospital while the commanders were conducting a meeting, ensuring Grimmjow did not commit to chaos. Rangiku and Momo, on the contrary, went to the hospital. Their puffy eyes proved that they were crying since then, still leaving sadness on their faces. Unfortunately, the two of them were still not allowed to see the state of Toushiro. Rangiku tried to force Isshin to allow him to enter, but failed. So all he can do is suggest the room temperature below zero degrees – as usual if the petite commander was to stay at the barracks Division 4 – and wait in front of the room. He was a little daunted to see the representatives of Centra 46 who came to visit Toushiro. She was sure Momo was equally afraid. Genjiro Shitara's stiff and stern face seemed to have brought a verdict against the 10th Division Commander.

"Don't worry, Momo."

The 5th Division lieutenant turned his head. Shinji Hirako entered the hospital ward with a disgruntled look. He stood next to Momo, but his eyes looked at the door where Toushiro was.

"We'll find a way to help her. Besides, my Kyoura will not be silent. He said he was tired of taking the commanding exam again. But I know he won't let go of Hitsugaya from Gotei 13."

"What are you guys gonna do?" ask Lupin to know.

Shinji sighed. "Eitherway. Many things are possible." He looked at some of the shinigami who were there. "Maybe Kyouraku will tell us to return to Seireitei. It's too risky to leave Seireitei for longer without some of his commanders and lieutenants."

"True, too," Hisagi said in agreement. "But what about Commander Hitsugaya?"

"It was too dangerous for him to leave, Kisuke said, ", Shinji said. "Maybe in Seireitei he could recover faster, but with such conditions, he would die before he reached Seireitei. Unlike us, he's got life-threatening wounds."

"Aren't you guys like you used to?" ask Bill wonder. "And previously Ichigo said something that he was half human, as well as you. What does that mean?"

"Shinigami who have hollow abilities," said Shinji flatly, surprising them. "It was me, Kensei, and a few others. We have hollow power also because Hogyoku, the difference is, we change because of the radiance of his power, while Hitsugaya because of direct contact." Shinji looked at the witches. "Because of our change, Centra 46 dumped us into the Human World. Kisuke is accused of being the one responsible for it, as he is the maker, and is threatened with the death penalty. Though, we know very well Kisuke is not the one who would sacrifice his own comrades for it. It was precisely he who saved us, and fled to the Human World with Yoruichi and Tessai. And we started our lives with the secrets of Soul Society from then on. Well, about a hundred years ago."

"Wow, a tragic story," said Tonks, half aghast half scared.

"If you say you're dumped, how do you become a commander?" ask Mr. Weasley.

"Ah, that's ironic," said Shinji, crossing his hands in front of his chest. "I didn't intend to return at first. Oh, and I'm not a 'commander', but I got my position back. Before Centra 46 kicked me and the others out of Seireitei, I was the 5th Division Commander. And that rotten traitorous Aizen is my lieutenant."

"Aizen? The one who wants the Arrancar to be free? The one who was the reason for the revenge?" ask Lupin not to believe it.

"Yep. But he was sentenced to twenty thousand years in Mugen, the darkest, darkest, worst prison in Soul Society for all his crimes." Shinji grunting. "If it wasn't for Hougyoku's powers that make him immortal, I'm sure he'd be put to death, or at least Ichigo could finish him off after that Winter War duel."

"Then, what about Toushiro…."

"Commander Hirako," said Momo lirih. Shinji looked at his lieutenant who looked down in despair. After working with the girl for almost two years now, she knew enough of her nature. Smart, loyal, and kind. A friendly girl who can demonstrate decisiveness and leadership in unexpected moments. Momo realizes that she is not as strong as a large number of other lieutenants, let alone those who have bankai. Despite this, he covered his weakness with an admirable mastery of kidou. The other friendliness, perhaps was he who was a little naive. His naivety is being used very brashly by Sousuke Aizen. It could be seen by Shinji how it was, when he mentioned Aizen's name he saw sadness, regret, shame, and pain in those brown eyes. It was the sadness of Aizen hurting his friends, the regret of dropping loyalty to the wrong people, the shame of trusting a traitor, the pain of burdening people with his naive thoughts. It seemed, this was one of the reasons why Toushiro Hitsugaya had always protected her. The 10th Division commander wanted to treat all Momo's wounds.

Shinji grunted softly.

Commander Hitsugaya is really more mature than he thought. Ah, but it still leaves its innocent nature.

"I promise you what we're going through won't happen to her" Shinji said solemnly, there was no playful tone in his voice.

Momo looked at her boss with reddened eyes. He really saw a lot there. He hoped, with all his heart, that no one would deceive him with another promise.

The door opened, and Kyouraku walked out of the room with an unhappy looking Genjiro Shitara. They were discussing something serious.

"… don't mess around, Kyouraku! This is not the time to talk no-no!" hiss Shitara.

"I'm not talking at all" said Kyouraku calmly. But Shinji, who knows enough of the Supreme Commander's character, knows that behind his calmness he hides all his emotions; vigilance, anger, confusion, plans, and pity. "What the commanders have told me, I have no doubt about it."

"What's this time?" asked Shinji lazily.

Shitara looked at the 5th Division Commander with a look of dislike. "You know what happened to Hirako; it's about the Guardians of Heaven."

"Ah, yes. I know," said Shinji lightly, standing over Momo who was still battered. "Then why?"

Shitara grunted softly. He looked at Kyouraku, then said impatiently, "After the hollowfication story, now about that ancient legend? How much more information about that boy do you want to say?"

My kyouraku put his hand on his chin, pretending to think, "Hm, did you know that he was the owner of the strongest Hyousetsu-type zanpakuto of the Soul Society? What about his nickname as the prodigy son of Junrinan? Or the Genius from Gotei 13?"

"Ah, you know, there's one thing that's true of his words, don't mess around, Kyouraku," said Shinji, scratching the back of his unscratchy head.

"I know, I know," said Kyouraku, putting down his straw hat. Really, thought the witches, this casual-lazy person was the protective leader of the Spirit World and the Human World? However, as he spoke later, his voice sounded serious. "I purposely said all that, Shitara."

"I'm sorry?" Shitara. "What do you mean?"

"Tell me who Toushiro Hitsugaya really is."

"And change the opinion of Centra 46?" said Shitara flat. Rangiku looked as if he was ready to slap Shitara in the face.

"Try to reveal that Toushiro Hitsugaya will be a great asset to the future of Soul Society. Fighters with outstanding strategic skills, master-level sword skills, and – well, etc. You want to get rid of the 10th Division Commander who inspired the young shinigami to become stronger?"

"Frankly, one of the reasons I learned to bankai was to think about Commander Hitsugaya being able to achieve it in such a short time," Hisagi said slowly, to Kira.

"There are more talented young shinigami out there who can take his place!"

"Can you stop thinking of it like a chess piece?"

Isshin Shiba stands in front of the door of Toushiro's newly closed room. His facial expression looked stiff.

"Madam Pomfrey can get angry if they argue here" Tonks whispered softly.

"Listen, listen" said Fred and George quietly, but compactly and with no secret of enthusiasm in their faces and voices.

Isshin looked at Genjiro Shitara with unusual seriousness, leaving Renji astonished; it seemed like this was the first time for him that there was no stupid expression on Ichigo's father's face. "You could just think of us as pieces. Kill or be killed. But not forever, Shitara. You are throwing away your pride as a human being."

Silence immediately followed Isshin's cold sentence.

"Is it not enough that Toushiro has given Soul Society?" isshin said sharply. "Your old-timey-honoured-by-the-world-Spirit law made her lose her friend, leaving her almost ruined, but she kept her vow to protect Soul Society! The war he was in made him have to pay with blood, flesh, and bones to escape death, and he still did not give up on guarding it! He was not even afraid of sacrificing his life for the sake of Soul Society, still lacking as well?! Still lacking what other shinigami have given?!"

"Isshin," said Kyouraku reminded. He knew that since Toushiro Hitsugaya was under the leadership of Isshin Shiba who was then the Commander of the 10th Division, the man protected, guarded, trained, and cared for Toushiro like his own son. Not even in years of being together, those feelings and concerns have not changed a degree. But, right now, an argument with emotions is not what Centra 46 wants.

"All that," said Shitara, coldly, "is the thing to pay as a shinigami, as a commander."

"What I taught Toushiro," said Isshin, turning around, "is that a shinigami, and also a commander swinging his sword because of his duties and obligations; protecting the spirits that exist in the Spirit World and the Human World. Not for the law and the rules."

And Isshin left the hospital.

"Commander Shiba," whispered Rangiku, a tear rolling from his eyes. A flurry of pride was seen for his former superior. Isshin's words made her see hope. Even Momo wiped away the tears on her cheeks; her eyes were glowing with confidence.

Shinji snorted, grinning his chesire cat back. "I like those words."