Strawberries are Best Eaten Frozen

Ichigo just stared, "You are...Toushiro?!"

The four-and-a-half-foot tall captain's head popped a vein "That's Hitsugaya-taicho to you!"

"Why are you here in the real world?" the teen asked, unfazed.

Hitsugaya sighed, the human had no sense of timing. "I'll fill you in later. Right now we should move, Hollow are more likely to appear where others did, the barrier between worlds is thinner. Any place you can think of?"

Ichigo thought about it; the place he had fough Hollow the least seemed to be at his house. In the months since becoming a soul reaper, only two had ever attacked him there. One that was after Rukia and his own powers, and one...that was Inoue's brother. Who knows, maybe he had a guardian angel watching over it or something. "Ah. We can talk at my house."

The captain nodded, "I'll meet you there in a few minutes. I have to get back to my Gigai first."

Ichigo's eyebrows shot up "You left it alone in the park?"

"What's wrong with that?"

Sweating, the teen pictured the reactions of pedestrians to an apparently unconscious white-haired elementary schooler, who was probably tucked into the bushes somewhere. Shaking his head, he gave a hasty goodbye and bid an equally hasty retreat. "Uh, nothing. I'll see you in a bit then."

What the heck's gotten into him? Hitsugaya wondered, perplexed at the other boy's sudden change in behavior. Closing his eyes, he exhaled and left to find his gigai. Hmph, not my problem.

There were so many thoughts in his mind that Ichigo just couldn't stand still. No other way to release his anxious energy, he began pacing. Why had Toushiro come?

The substitute shinigami had not been in contact with Soul Society at all since the Bounto incident, and before that Aizen's betrayal. Had something happened he didn't know about? Aizen...was he on the move?

Unconsciously, his left hand covered his stomach, where the shinigami traitor had nearly cut him in two. Here in his own mind, Ichigo didn't mind admitting that that man was scary. The guy faked his own death, hypnotized half the shinigami population, defeated that fox captain effortlessly, and stopped Tensa Zangetsu with one finger. Then, just when it seemed he was caught, a horde of Menos Grande appeared to extricate him. Even now he was working towards his goal--what it was Ichigo didn't know, but one thing was sure: it involved the destruction of Soul Society and the devouring of millions of human souls.

Ichigo's eyebrows knotted together, excentuating his ever-present scowl. "Tch. That guy..."

He didn't even hear the window slide open. "Hey, Ichigo."

He turned to see the white haired shinigami sitting on his windowsill. This time he was wearing more normal garb, blue jeans and a black T-shirt. Ichigo doubted it would help him blend in much, his hair and maturity level were too unusual for his apparent age. "Toush-", a death glare made him reconsider mid-word, "Hitsugaya-taicho."

Satisfied, the captain leaned against the side of the window frame. "Based on Urahara's information, Aizen might put his plans into motion soon. Right now, Soul Society is scrambling to prepare, but it isn't easy. We lost three captains and the leadership of Room 46; add in the chaos caused by the Bounto and you see the problem. I'm here to gather information and help protect this town in case of a preliminary assault." Green eyes casted a sidelong glance at Ichigo. "With so many high-level souls, Karakura will most likely be a target."

That was a lot to take in. Soul Society was worried? Karakura would be in danger? Aizen...there was one question that was really bugging him. "What is it that Aizen wants exactly?"

Hitsugaya looked up at the sky. "Who knows? He clearly expressed his desire to transform himself into a Hollow in order to surpass his limits as a shinigami." The lines in his face deepened with anger. "However we don't know much about that man, he deceived all of us."

"So why were you picked? I would have thought Renji or Rukia would've come in this situation. Not that I'm complaining or anything."

"As an unseated officer, Rukia wasn't thought strong enough. It's true that Renji was the logical choice, he has experience in the real world after all. But in the end it was decided the job meritted a captain." Plus, he thought to himself, I think Matsumoto had something to do with it.

His mind was whirling, but Ichigo couldn't think of anything else to ask. He made one last sheepish attempt. "Oh. How long will you be here?"

"Only for a few weeks. Anyway, I'd better be off, there is still some things I have to do."

"Wait, you have a place to stay?"

Hitsugaya turned, perplexed. "Of course. I have a hotel room, the cost gets taken out of the mission's budget."

His tone was asking why he would ever ask that question. Ichigo sweated a little more. "Ah, I see. It's just that, uh, Rukia and Renji didn't have places to stay" Except assuming they could crash at my house, he added silently.

The captain snorted softly "Well I have a bit more skill in planning and logistics than Renji. I'll see you later Kurosaki"

With that he shifted his legs and let himself drop out the window. The second floor window. Ichigo almost wrenched a muscle when he scrambled to reach the opening. Panting from the adrenaline rush, he stared at a Hitsugaya calmly walking away on the ground. Anger replaced shock and fear. "Don't do that!" If the boy heard his yell, he gave no indication.

Ichigo huffed, seriously annoyed. "Jeez, that guy..."

*pants* Yes, a 4th chapter. Sorry it took so long, but now the story is starting to open up a little.

I want to give thanks to all my reviewers, you give me strength. Especially to Ranna for correcting Ururu's name, and Lady Azar de Tameran on fanfiction.net for explaining the difference between Hadou and Bakudou. Thanks guys!

I know the story is moving really slow, but I wanted to explain the reasons for Hitsugaya's appearance first. Starting next chapter Ichigo and Hitsugaya will start interacting more ;D