A/N: Just the re-uploaded Prologue – seeing as I was stupid enough to miss out the bits I need for later! I've made slight changes in some places, but nothing too extreme – I don't think. Thanks for your patience, by the way. XD

Disclaimer: I own nothing in this story – apart from the things that are going to transpire – everything belongs to Tite Kubo.

Just something I'd like to point out. This is set after Series 3, because that's where I've had the chance to see it to, and it won't follow the canon plot, and it can probably be labelled as AU. Plus, I know that Toshiro didn't meet Karin until season 6 – was it? – but in this they've already bumped into each other on slight occasions. Sorry if it confuses people – I'll admit, it slightly confused me until I'd managed to sort it out in my small brain. If necessary, and if people would like, I could probably plan a Prequel. At first I was going to set it after the Winter War, but I've got no idea how that pans out so I'm using what I know. Any questions that you might have, put them in a review and I'll reply to that.

"Shiro! What are you doing here? This isn't a place for little kids!"

"Hinamori! I'm not a little kid, and I'm not here on my own, before you start!"

"Well then, who are you here with? I doubt Granny would come with you! She wouldn't be able to walk all the way here!"

"These two Soul Reapers dragged me here."

"O-oh! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

"It's all my fault, Captain."

"It's not, Toshiro, he knew the consequences and he accepted them. Don't blame yourself, kiddo."

"B-but, Captain! I-if I'd have known, if I'd have known - then I wouldn't - I-I wouldn't h-have pushed you two to let me learn Bankai in the first place!"

"C'mon short stuff, don't cry on me now. Or I'll have to get Rangiku onto you."

"Awwww! Don't cry Toshiro; let me give you a hug!"

"Mph! H-hey, lemme go!"

"Now now, Rangiku let him go."

"What's your problem with always having to be better than me, Toshiro!"

"W-what are you talking about Hinamori?"

"If you hadn't always wanted to be better than me, then you wouldn't have killed him!"

"W-what?"

"It's your fault - all your fault!"

With everything that'd happened, Toshiro wasn't really expecting anything else bad happening for a while. He'd almost gotten killed by Aizen, and he'd almost let Hinamori die – but thankfully she'd only gone into a coma and she'd recover. Sure, it wasn't his fault because he - like most of the other Soul Reapers - was under the illusion of Aizens' zanpakuto. He'd been told time and time again that it wasn't his fault; although he couldn't help but to blame himself. He was supposed to be a prodigy among Soul Reapers - a child genius. However, even the child genius didn't know everything.

The Ryoka had gone back to the world of the living; Aizen, Gin and Tosen were God-knows-where and Toshiro was still in the Squad 4 barracks. It'd been 3 months since Aizens' betrayal, and Captain Unohana still wouldn't deem Toshiro fit to return to his duties. Apparently, his 'state of mind' wasn't in the right condition to return, according to the Squad 4 captain.

So when Hanataro Yamada - 7th seat of Squad 4 - brought even more bad news, Toshiro lost it. And that was all it took - that one piece of information. That night Toshiro was unable to sleep – well, more like he refused to – and this created problems for Isane, who was put in charge of taking care of the small captain. So, after hours of arguments – on Toshiro's part – Unohana decided to intervene and turned to drugs. She sedated Hitsugaya. He refused to give into the drugs, which was working for a while, until he just passed out. However, the child-like captain was left tossing and turning.

Isane was left speechless; although she was glad.

Though, Isane's relief was short lived and she began to wish that Captain Hitsugaya hadn't been forced to sleep. The reason for this was that the Seireitei began to slowly frost over. Head-Captain Yamamoto had decided to drop by the Squad 4 barracks – about an hour too late – with Captains' Ukitake and Kyoraku in tow. Captain Unohana appeared to greet them; although it wasn't a normal greeting.

"It seems that Captain Hitsugaya is having trouble sleeping peacefully. I'm not sure what else there is I can do; I had to sedate him as it was..." Unohana stated, not even turning her eyes to look at the newly arrived captains, trailing off as she watched the small Captain as he tossed and turned restlessly.

The Head-Captain stood, deep in thought for a few moments, before turning to look inside Hitsugaya's room, captain Unohana stepping aside to give him room to see.

"Hhmm... Well, it seems like we're going to have to do something about this." Yamamoto declared, staring at the tossing child-like figure in the room for a few long minutes, before turning to face Captain Ukitake. "Jushiro, would you call Rukia Kuchiki here? I have something that I need her to do for me."

"Of course, Head-Captain," Ukitake replied, slightly hesitant, but otherwise bowing to the Head-Captain and flash-stepping away.

"Head-Captain, what are you going to do?" Unohana asked curiously.

"It seems Captain Hitsugaya is due a break from his duties. He is going to be sent to the World of the Living," The Head-Captain replied, as he this time turned to face Captain Kyoraku; who at this time was also looking at the small captain sleeping. "Shunsui, contact Captain Soi Fon. I require her to come here as well. You and Jushiro are to come back here afterwards, understood?"

"Ah – Sure thing, Captain," Kyoraku replied, just as hesitant as Ukitake. "I'll be seein' ya," he said with a cocky grin, tilting his hat as he flash-stepped away.

"Head-Captain, do you really think that sending Captain Hitsugaya to the World of the Living will solve these problems he's facing?" Captain Unohana questioned, turning from the small Captains' room to face the Head-Captain.

"You told me that when you and your Lieutenant witnessed Captain Hitsugaya in his fight against Aizen, his Bankai completely shattered when he was struck down. It shattered while he was still conscious; Captain Hitsugaya, by no means, would dismiss his Bankai. He lost control, Retsu." The Head-Captain explained, before quickly beginning again. "Kisuke Urahara - former Captain of Squad 12 - is going to help our young Captain re-master his Bankai. It could take weeks, months, or years." Yamamoto explained further, this time being interrupted by Unohana before he could begin ranting again.

"But, we must still take into consideration the events that happened those years ago. Captain Hitsugaya's going to be put off re-mastering his Bankai because of it." Unohana spoke, turning once more to the small Captains' room, further watching him toss and turn. She heard Yamamoto shuffle behind her before he replied.

"Of course we must -"

"And that; although Captain Hitsugaya acts like an adult, he is only a child..."

"- Yes, I know that. I've already heard this speech from Jushiro."

"As long as you've heard it."

"Ahem... Yes. Well, Retsu, when our guests arrive, I will bring them here. It seems you're going to want to keep an eye on him."

"Yes Head-Captain..."

And with that, Yamamoto flash-stepped away, leaving Unohana to watch over the child-like Captain.

A/N: Well, that's that. Did a lot more editing than I thought I'd do... Oh well, the changes hopefully help a little more – I changed the layout more too so that it's not looking like one big paragraph. :D
Hope you enjoyed it! Any questions on anything, and I'll try and reply to them to the best of my ability.

Also, if you can see anywhere where I've gone wrong I any way, please don't hesitate to let me know. :)