"Momo."
Momo Hinamori opened her eyes. It took only a moment for her to realize that she was in her mind's world. But it was all wrong. Where was the sun? Where was the moon, the rivers, the stars, the mountains, and the trees? Where was her beautiful world? Everything was so dark. She felt Tobiume's presence, as always, but couldn't see her. Of course, she usually couldn't see her-Tobiume was the very essence of the rivers, of the life in her mind.
"Momo. I don't have long. It took me a long while to awaken you from your protective slumber."
Momo could feel the ground beneath her feet, but there was no grass.
"What's happened?"
She felt a cool stroke on her cheek.
"This is happening because I must leave."
"Leave? Does that mean that we are going to die?" Momo wondered aloud.
"No. Merely that you will not see me for a while. But even though I will be gone, you must stay strong. We will find each other again. I promise." Tobiume said, her bell-like voice ever soothing to Momo's thoughts. But what was there to soothed of? Hadn't she always been here? Hadn't it always been like this?
"Momo-you must remember yourself. Before I leave your mind completely, I will send you back to your body."
Remember herself? But she knew who she was. She was Momo, whom had always lived in this cold dark place. She felt a tugging. She resisted, suddenly afraid of going back to wherever that place was. All she knew was that she did not want to go back. It promised to be painful.
"Face your pain, Momo."
She moaned as the tugging came harder.
"Vice Captain Hinamori! Go! Remember your rank, and remember how hard we worked together to earn it! Now go back to your squad!"
No. She didn't want to. She wanted to stay here.
"Go!"
"You're awake." Captain Unahana's familiar voice filtered to her before anything else did. She blinked her bleary eyes, and tried to move. Bad idea. She could barely hold in her gasp as the movement sent tremors of pain up and down her abdomen and spine.
"Pain medication! Now! She's going unconscious again!" Unahana barked orders at someone.
"Vice Captain Hinamori, stay awake! That is a direct order! If you go under again we may not be able to bring you back out!" Unahana snapped at her. But Unahana was so far away. Everything was so far away. The welcoming blackness, far more desolate than her mind, yet she felt the inclination to join it. To sleep forever, without pain. With a contented sigh, Momo closed her eyes once more.