Prologue
the annoying thing that all long stories start with

Hinamori Momo was currently in a cab on the way to Sereitei; the big city. Ever since the incident with Aizen Sousuke, she hadn't been quite right. She could still remember every single detail of that day.

Hinamori clutched her bag tighter, her knuckles whitened. Thank goodness Renji was there to save her. There was no telling what Aizen would have done...

She shook her head. She was not going to go there.

"Aizen-san," cried Hinamori, her eyes lit with joy, "what's the surprise?"

"We're almost there Hinamori-kun," smiled Aizen, "just around this corner..."

"Eh," Hinamori stopped, "Aizen-san, what are we doing in this ally?"

Aizen's eyes seem to glow, "you'll see, Hinamori-kun, you'll see."

He went into the shadows and dragged out a beaten man. Hinamori screamed.

"Quiet," commanded Aizen, "we wouldn't want anyone to know what you're about to do."

Hinamori backed away, "Aizen-san, please..."

"Don't be scared," cooed Aizen, "all you have to do is kill this man for me."

Hinamori was in shock; "Why...why me?"

Aizen laughed, "who would suspect sweet little Hinamori? Why do you think I asked you to be my woman? Surely you didn't think I actually cared for you," he laughed again, only this time there was no mirth, "silly girl, why would I choose my secretary to have an affair with when I could have any woman I wanted?"

Hinamori was speechless. Her tears would not flow. She was shocked; so shocked that a man, so warm and kind, had turned into a monster.

"Why aren't you speaking," Aizen sneered, "the truth hurts, don't it, Hinamori-kun?"

"I – I won't do it," cried Hinamori.

The man on the ground made an attempt to escape. Aizen turned to him, cocked his gun –

"NO!"

– the man lay motionless on the ground

"No," sobbed Hinamori, "no..."

"He was a good man," Aizen sighed dramatically, "if only he hadn't made the foolish mistake of spying on me while I worked on my private project. Shame really. Now Hinamori-kun, I can't let anyone know of this incident. And you know what they say, dead men tell no tales."

Hinamori's eyes widened, "No...Please, Aizen-san, please..."

"Good-bye Hinamori."

"STOP YOU BASTARD."

Bang.

Hinamori opened her eyes. Aizen was on the ground, clutching his bleeding leg. His gun was out of his reach. Above him towered the figure of Abarai Renji, pointing the barrel of a gun at the madman's forehead.

After what seemed like forever, Renji spoke, "Hinamori, leave here. Leave this town, go far away. It's not safe for you here anymore. Aizen is a dangerous man with many connections within this town. Go to the big city. Find a new life and never come back."

"But what about you Renji," Hinamori sniffed, her sobbing getting quieter, "he's going to come after you. You're not safe either."

"This son-of-a-bitch doesn't scare me," Renji declared, giving Aizen's unconscious body a swift kick, "nonetheless; I was planning on leaving this dump anyways. Maybe I'll meet you in the city."

Hinamori did not feel assured despite his speech. But she knew it was hopeless to argue with the man. She knew Renji since childhood; with a personality as strong as his, it'd be impossible to win an argument against him.

"Fine. But promise you'll call me at least once a week."

"Promise."

"Miss, miss, we're here. Miss? Are you alright?"

Hinamori snapped awake. She must've dosed off. She quickly gathered her stuff and got out of the taxi.

After paying the driver, Hinamori took in her surroundings. The street was lined with apartment buildings and skyscrapers. She sighed.

Welcome to the big city; welcome to a new life.

Author's Note: Just quickly stating that this story is going to be updated at random. I have the whole thing planned out just no time to write it. Thanks for understanding.