Jhaxe: What's this...Jhaxe is writing…BLEACH? It can't be…right? Guess not. Well, for some odd reason, I became engulfed in the plot of Bleach like TWO days ago, so, I have yet to read the manga or watch the entire Anime. I'm missing about 70 Eps Basically anything important, so I'll probably screw this up. However, I'm up to date with the latest Anime, so I'll just go from there.

Iyx: Okay, so you've had a sudden burst of interest in Bleach…still…why write a fic?

Jhaxe: Err, I dunno. I just REALLY wanted to write a fic about Hitsugaya, because he's so damn cute.

Iyx: It damn well better be a good fic. And you STILL haven't updated Naruto Evolutions yet -stare-

Jhaxe: I'm having slight writers block on that one, I'll get to it eventually. Now on with the story before my readers become bored of our quarrels!

Iyx: Hai, Hai…Let's just get this over with.

Summary: Hitsugaya was always viewed as a genius and a prodigy, a protégé among his peers. With his defense unit now stationed in the real world, random hollows and arrancar are likely to show up anytime. Hitsugaya knows he must be prepared for anything. He often wonders about how he came to have such intelligence and skill, and if that's what truly makes him special in the eyes of those around him. One day however, while he is out on patrol, he meets a familiar figure that changes his outlook on things...Aizen Sousuke.

After a one-sided battle, Aizen reveals something that Hitsugaya could have never predicted. It seems there's more to himself than Hitsugaya ever could have guessed. Faced with the possibility of losing those he cares about, destruction of both worlds, and losing his sanity, can Hitsugaya hold it together and make the right decision? Or will Aizen's unexpected offer lure him to the dark side?

Disclaimer: I'm on a Fan Fiction website. Both words most definitely entail that I DO NOT own Bleach or have entitlement to any aspect of it.

Warnings: Angst, Violence, Language, Adult Situations, Perversion, Alcohol, Smoking…could I have anymore warnings? O-o

Chapter Warnings: Angst, Language, Violence

AN: I DO in fact use Japanese terms. IF you are unfamiliar with the Japanese terms used in this fic, PLEASE inform via review or private message that you wish for a list of terms and names. I will be more than happy to create one if it will help you to better understand the story.

:-: The Key To My Soul - Chapter One - Part 1 – A Shaken Shinigami Taichou :-:

Hitsugaya Toshiro, 10th Division Captain of the Gotei 13, sighed heavily, resting his chin sourly in his right palm, his elbow on the table. It was becoming increasingly difficult to manage the Arrancar activity in the area.

After the incident with Hinamori the other day, Hitsugaya had been more distant. He knew that Hinamori had been (was?) loyal to Aizen Sousuke, her former Captain, but the fact that he was a traitor should in itself, have been enough to dissuade her from supporting him.

But it hadn't.

Emitting another sigh, Hitsugaya allowed his objectively turquoise green eyes to travel over to the blank screen of the large inter-dimensional television. It was the only quick way they had of contacting the Soul Society if there was an emergency. He felt the compulsion to turn it on and have a chat with Yamamato-taichou, who he hoped could quell his feelings. The man had a knack for being soothing in conversation.

Suddenly he was ripped out of his thoughts by Matsumoto, his bright-haired, large-breasted, fukutaichou, whose aforementioned commodities were currently pressed against his face, as she squealed gleefully about how cute her new outfit was.

What an airhead, was the thought that crossed his mind at that moment.

"M…Matsumoto!" He was gasping for air, his aggravated voice strained by the fact he was being smothered.

"Eh?!" She seemed to just be realizing that she was constricting her taichou, even though she had done the exact same thing on almost regular occasions in the past.

After Matsumoto had finally relinquished her hold on the young snow-haired boy, he abruptly stood up, nearly shoving the older woman out of the way in the process, as he stomped gruffly out of the room.

Matsumoto was stunned to say the least. She'd noticed the slight change in her taichou's behavior since the incident with Hinamori the other night. But she had realized that it had affected him so negatively.

From where she stood, she heard the sound of a door opening, and a confrontation of three voices. It seemed that Ikkaku and Yumichika had returned from their patrols, just as Hitsugaya had been storming out the door. The door slammed shut, and two pairs of feet shuffled up the stairs.

Matsumoto sat down, just as the two shinigami walked into the room, matching expressions of confusion and concern adorning their faces. Ikkaku was the first to speak up.

"What's with Hitsugaya? He seemed really pissed at something" His voice was filled with concern for the young taichou. Matsumoto sighed ruefully.

"I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with Hinamori's condition, and possibly the increase in arrancar and hollow activity. Both of those together are enough to put anyone on edge." She concluded.

They nodded, settling down around the room. Matsumoto briefly wondered if Hitsugaya had gone on patrol. Seeing as he now had a good reason to, even if it wasn't on the agreed upon schedule, Matsumoto decided to just let him blow off his steam.

Though, in the back of her mind, she felt a strange sort of dread begin to settle.

:-: Part 2 – Encounter of the Foulest Sort :-:

Hitsugaya was pissed. He didn't exactly know who, or what, he was pissed at, but regardless, he just needed to be left alone. He noted the night was unnaturally cool, and thought briefly that he could be emitting his reiatsu without thinking about it. However, he quickly dismissed the thought when he checked his reiatsu in comparison to the surrounding temperature.

Odd…he thought, just as a wave of negativity engulfed him. Something…isn't right…Something's coming…a hollow? No. An Arrancar? No…something…worse?

The thought of anything worse than an arrancar perplexed him, as nothing worse seemed plausible at all.

When his mind came back to reality, the prodigy noticed he was nearing a large park. Padding his small feet on the smooth grass, he decided to slow his patrol. He began a relaxed placid walk through the park, the foliage whispering in the light wind, and the towering trees providing a cool, shadowy canopy. It was then he noticed a strange presence.

There was an oddly familiar figure in the distance, although he could quite place who it was. Warily, he approached, wondering whether or not his dreaded premonition from early was based around this person. Whoever they were, their reiatsu was well hidden.

As he neared slowly, the figure became more distinct. Then it hit him.

"A…Aizen…Sousuke…" The dry whisper slipped from his lips, and at first, he was unsure if he'd spoken out loud or mentally, until the figure made a slow turn towards him. Sure enough, the traitor of Seireitei stood there before him. The former 5th Captain held his usual indistinct smile, one of content rather than real pleasure, that hid even the slightest sliver of true emotion, masking any intention.

"Konban wa, Hitsugaya-taichou." Just as when they had last met, Aizen's voice still held its content calming vibe. However, the backlash of his words was laced in intense feelings of deception and dark desire. Hitsugaya tensed. "I've been waiting quite a while for you to arrive. It's a bit chilly tonight as well. I'm glad you showed up."

Hitsugaya's jaw dropped ever so slightly. Aizen was…waiting for him? But…why?

Aizen began to advance towards the young captain, who found himself frozen in place. Though at the moment, it wasn't in fear, but rather, a childish curiosity, of what Aizen could possibly want to meet him for.

Only when Aizen was a mere three feet away did Hitsugaya finally acknowledge the threat, immediately unsheathing Hyourinmaru and making a half-hearted strike. Blocking the blade with a single finger, it slowly slid down the side of his blade as Aizen continued his approach.

Just as his muscles jumped in reaction, Aizen's Kyouka Suigetsu was unsheathed, held diagonally above his head. Hitsugaya's world became warped. He was trapped in a realm of illusion at the mercy of his (Seireitei's?) worst enemy.

The world that had been created was dark, almost black, although Hitsugaya could still distinguish shapes and objects. He noted that Aizen's presence seemed to have disappeared.

Briefly, he remembered Unohana-taichou describing the effects of Kyouka Suigestu, and contemplated what exactly Aizen had accomplished by placing him here, until, that is, his body erupted in indescribable pain.

Released from the illusion, the world came back into focus, or at least, some focus. His sight was blurred, his breathing ragged, and pain coursing through his veins.

Hyourinmaru lay rigid on the grass. Hitsugaya noted he was unusually taller than normal, before his senses cleared enough to realize that his bloodied body was being held in the air by his throat, which was mildly constricted by Aizen's left hand. His Zanpakuto was already sheathed.

Hitsugaya didn't even attempt to move. Every time his body twitched, it caused a shockwave of pain to rip through his muscles. He'd been in the illusion for mere seconds, and yet, his body was already useless, his robes slipping down near his elbow leaving the left side of his chest and back exposed.

The young prodigy's glazed eyes drifted upwards, lingering on the clear starry sky. For a moment, the entire world seemed peaceful and serene, and the thought that he had died and was plunging into a nonexistence ran through his mind, before he was shaken from his daze by Aizen's calm, yet chilling voice.

"If you had not insisted on attacking me, Hitsugaya-taichou, then this would not have been necessary." Hitsugaya's expressionless green eyes traveled back to Aizen's face. "As for the point of my visit…" he trailed off. Apprehension suddenly shot through Hitsugaya's mind as Aizen's held his hand back. A pause in speech like that was never good.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

Aizen pulled his back in a fluid motion.

Suddenly, with great force, he thrust his hand forwards.

Aizen's entire hand went through Hitsugaya's chest and out the other side.

Hitsugaya could emit nothing more than a silent gasp, eyes wide, as his life force felt as though it was slipping away from him.

No blood was spilled as Aizen removed his hand, holding a small glowing five-pronged object, resembling a snowflake.

It took Hitsugaya a few moments to register what had just transpired. Aizen had thrust his hand though the center of his chest, through his soul, and pulled out a strange object.

His body dangled limp in Aizen's grasp around his neck, his eyes wide with fear and confusion, nervousness and apprehension.

After careful examination of the tiny glowing object, Aizen began to speak. "I can see the confusion in your eyes, Hitsugaya-taichou. So I will explain." He held the small snowflake-like object up to eye level. "This is a soul key. It's like the heart of a soul itself. Basically, it acts as the heart of a soul, and the control center. Usually, if damaged, it can never be repaired. However…" Aizen's demeanor suddenly changed as he smirked. "Yours is a special case. Like your Ice, your soul key has the ability to reform itself if cracked or damaged. Let me demonstrate."

Hitsugaya's eyes widened as Aizen's thumb cracked one of the spikes, and immediately in response, his right arm went limb and unfeeling, from fingers to shoulder. "Now, Now, Hitsugaya-taichou, do not be frightened. Watch."

The soul key slowly start reform, and in perfect coordination, Hitsugaya felt feeling returning to his shoulder blade, although it was a slow going process. Aizen continued.

"You see Hitsugaya-taichou, you are a very special individual, apart from being the prodigy of Seireitei. You have untapped abilities that if mastered, would make you even more powerful that myself." Hitsugaya gaped unbelievingly. There was no way…

"But, it appears as though the Gotei 13 are busying themselves with fruitless efforts, instead of focusing on their real power. You, Hitsugaya-taichou, are a power, that if perfected, can become an ultimate being, more powerful than myself, at my current level, and any of my arrancar. It is with that said, that I make you a most generous offer."

Hitsugaya stared, confusion and frustration of his predicament beginning to settle on his mind. But as Aizen's next words slipped from his mouth, Hitsugaya's entire world froze around him. It seemed as if time itself slowed to near nothingness.

"You are a special individual, Hitsugaya-taichou, and you have unrecognized abilities that if tapped into, will make one of the most beings in any realm. However, there is no one in your current situation who could even begin to help you understand those abilities, much less teach you how to use them. That is where I come in….

Join me, Hitsugaya-taichou.

Join me and let me show you your true potential.

Stand by my side on the battlefield and help me destroy the weak Seireitei and the useless human world, and gain control for myself and my underlings. Help me create the perfect world for myself, for my 'associates', and for you.

Come with me, Hitsugaya-taichou.

I will give you one week from this moment to contemplate my offer."

The hand slipped from around his throat, as Hitsugaya felt the ground quickly approaching. His frigid stunned body crumpled onto the ground, nearly lifeless. He weakly felt Aizen's presence vanish, as he heard approaching footsteps.

Matsumoto's voice was coated with fear and worry. "Taichou!" Ikkaku and Yumichika were close her. They surrounded him, and his blurry vision was barely able to pick out bits and pieces of Matumoto's worried cries, as Ikkaku tried to calm her, and Yumichika began to carefully pick up.

Slowly, his world faded to black, and his mind seemed to shut down. Hitsugaya Toushiro had fallen into a deep unconsciousness.

Jhaxe: Was it horrible? I was going on basically nothing. -sweat- I do hope it wasn't that bad for the beginning of my fic. Also, be aware, I have no Beta, so this is probably riddled with mistakes, seeing as it's 1:19 AM -sweat- Feedback please?

Iyx: I thought it was decent for your first Bleach fic, anyway -clears throat- Now that Aizen has made his offer, what will Hitsugaya decide? He has a week of recovery and contemplation before Aizen or one of his messengers -wink- , returns for his answer. Will Hitsugaya stay on the side of the Shinigami? Or will he fall to Dark Temptation?

Find out in the Next Chapter of The Key To My Soul!

Chapter Two- Countdown to Darkness! Hitsugaya's Choice!

-'What exactly am I fighting for? Will I gain anything? Selflessness used to seem so honorable, but now…I just don't know anymore…'-