Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Full Summary: Companion fic to Father (you can read one without the other, but they make more sense if you read them both). Sosuke Aizen thinks about Momo Hinamori, the girl he saw as his daughter. A short but sweet reflection... kinda like all the rest.
Daughter
Momo Hinamori. I am sure that Ffith company has never had a more able assistant captain, and certainly not within my memory.
I know that I inspire feelings of either adoration or hatred in many soul reapers of the Thirteen Court Guards, but somehow, Momo was different. Beyond adoration, I was something of a focal point for Momo. She saw me as her father. I was touched to be looked at in this way by such a kind, passionate girl and I must admit, I had always seen her as my daughter, ever since I first saw her. She, Renji Abarai, and Izuru Kira were faced with more than ten Huge Hollows - three freshmen had as much chance against even one Huge Hollow as they had against any and every captain of the Court Guards. They had no hope of winning, or even surviving, this fight. Momo was crying from fear, but fighting her hardest alongside Izuru and Renji.
Two sixth year students were dead already and Shuhei Hisagi was badly injured.
I've always been fairly soft, as soul reapers go. Seeing Momo, fighting through her fear as she was, I felt proud and oddly protective of her. Gin and I easily took care of the Huge Hollows. A few years later, when she was ready to join the Thirteen Court Guards, I specially requested Momo Hinamori. By then, Gin was Captain of the Third company. Momo quickly worked her way up to take his old posistion as my assistant captain, much to my pride and delight.
When Renji lost to the lone ryoka and was taken into custody, Momo came to me. She was nervous and fearful, that was plain, and her nerves were badly frayed. Agitated, she asked to speak with me and fervently promised not to fall asleep. I gave her my outer robe and invited her inside with a gentle smile. I told her to stay until she was calm. She already looked better. I sat again at my desk and she, hesitantly, perched on the end of my futon.
I scribbled out character after character, rushing to finish my letter before the moon peaked. Momo and I talked and I could hear the agitation slowly fading from her voice. I gently soothed her fears, all the while struggling to hide my growing apprehension. Tonight, I was sure that I would die. As I folded and addressed my letter, Momo gave a soft snore. She was asleep. Smiling, I lay her on my futon and pulled the blanket up to her chin. Then, with a regretful backward glance, I left. The door clicked softly as I slid it shut.
It was all done so quickly. I hardly knew what happened. One moment, I was standing, alone in the empty corridor. The next was a violent flood of pain and the sight of my own blood, strangely beautiful in the pale moonlight. My vision was quickly becoming hazy. Darkness gathered at the edges of my mind. Breathing was difficult and every desperate gasp of air tore at my ragged lungs. I was perfectly calm, however. A single lucid thought drifted to the fore of my mind.
I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you for longer, Momo. I'm sorry for placing such a burden on you... my daughter.