Yonban tai taicho, Unohana Retsu, stood over the bed that held the petite form of Hinamori Momo. Unohana's hands were spread gracefully and she held them about three inches above her patient. Kotetsu Isane-fukataicho was standing nearby holding Unohana-taicho's zanpaktou just in case worst came to worst. Unohana's reiatsu was spilling into Hinamori, searching for the problem.

A light sweat broke out on Unohana's brow. She did not understand it. What was wrong with Hinamori-san? Hinamori had been mostly unconscious since that day several months ago, but her vital signs had remained stable and constant since she had been rendered that way. She had even woken up briefly, although Yamamoto-sotaicho had expressed his concern that her consciousness and her mind had not been quite right yet, and it seemed to Unohana to be true. The young woman had been deeply betrayed and Unohana was not sure if Hinamori would ever fully recover.

Hinamori's mental state also had an effect on her physical healing process. Unohana suspected that until Hinamori could somehow mentally put herself together, she would not be able to be fully healed.

All of these thoughts flashed through Unohana's mind in a matter of seconds. The fact was, nothing was physically wrong with Hinamori, she had simply lost her will to live. Unohana was concentrating very hard on trying to anchor Hinamori to life, but knew she was fighting a losing battle.

Several of Unohana's assistants were suddenly knocked back several steps from where they were awaiting orders near the door. The cause of the disturbance became clear almost immediately. The juban tai taicho, Hitsugaya Toushiro, had just flash stepped rather recklessly into the room, followed shortly by his luitenant. His cheeks were tinged with just a hint of pink and his brow was deeply furrowed.

It was apparent to those present that Captain Hitsugaya was not his usual calm and controlled self. His spirit force, normally controlled to the point where it was barely noticeable in the surrounding area, was pressing down uncomfortably on the room. In his haste and emotional state, his iron-like control over his reiatsu was faltering.

Immediately, Hitsugaya was confronting Unohana.

"Unohana-taicho! What is going on here? I thought that you said she would be fine," Hitsugaya stated in a surprisingly calm tone, his voice steady and far from revealing his true feelings.

"Summimasen, Hitsugaya-taicho. There's no explanation, she's just…slipping away."

Hitsugaya's eyes widened in shock and he turned his gaze onto his childhood friend, his fingers curling into fists at his side; a small gesture (along with his barely controlled reiatsu) that was the only sign of his distress.

Hinamori Momo was empty. She felt so empty and alone. Aizen's sword had pierced her heart, but his betrayal had shattered it. Momo was not sure of her surroundings anymore, she wondered if she had even been alive to begin with. She was floating in darkness and in silence, and all she could feel was the ache in her chest where her heart had been.

She had put so much trust and faith into Aizen-taicho; had grown close to him, her mentor, and had always wanted to make him proud. They had shared so much time together, getting to know one another and Hinamori had learned so much from him. But now he was gone, as if stolen away by some dark monster with the same face.

Hinamori felt worthless and she let her grip on life loosen…and then she let go. She felt herself floating away, and the pain was slowly leaving her. Suddenly Hinamori Momo felt comforting and engulfing warmth. Starting in her hand and flowing into her heart, the warmth was familiar and safe.

"Momo…..Momo…"

Hinamori's heart gave a painful jolt. Her eyes flew open and she gave a feeble cough. The warmth was still in her small hand and as she looked up into deep turquoise eyes, she realized that her face was wet.

She had not realized that she had been crying. She vaguely wondered why, but all thought left her as the white-haired young man gave a relieved sigh and wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders.

"Momo," she thought she heard her name leave his lips on a relieved sigh.

Hinamori's eyes widened in surprise as her childhood friend wrapped his arms around her. She had not seen Toushiro in such an open display of emotion since before he had become Captain of tenth squad.

"Shiro-chan," Hinamori whispered. She was too weak to even lift her arms to return his embrace, even though she wanted more than anything to do just that. All of her thoughts of Aizen and his betrayal were washed away so easily by Toushiro's hand in hers.

"Bedwetter Momo," Hitsugaya murmured into her shoulder, giving her a squeeze.

Hinamori chuckled quietly and realized that Hitsugaya had always been a constant in her life; constant and steady. She knew that she needed his friendship now more than ever before.

Hitsugaya gently placed Hinamori's shoulders back on her cot, and Hinamori felt herself overcome with exhaustion. She had been lying in the fourth squad relief station for months, but she had been filled with inner turmoil…now, she needed to sleep.

Hitsugaya held Hinamori's hand as her eyes slid closed and after months, she finally fell into a restful sleep. Unohana watched with a knowing look as Hinamori stabilized and finally began to rest.

"Hitsugaya-taicho," Unohana spoke to the young Captain as he watched Hinamori intently. "It looks as though Hinamori-fukataicho has been called back. Feel free to stay as long as you like."

After using her spirit force to make sure that Hinamori was resting comfortably and would not wake again until morning, Unohana-taicho quietly left the room taking all but one assistant with her. She left Yamada-san in the room to keep an eye on Hinamori just in case, but she was calm and confident that Hinamori , with some help, could recover from her terrible ordeal.