Disclaimer - I do not own Bleach

Chapter Seven - Gone

Once all of the captains had assembled in the Squad One conference room the Head Captain stood. His gaze surveyed the assembled Shinigami for a few moments before he spoke, his voice harsh. "I have reached a decision concerning the human child that seems to possess the powers of a Shinigami."

Hitsugaya's teal eyes widened as he heard this and he couldn't help the shiver that ran up his spine. He didn't like the tone of the Head Captain's voice; it boded ill for them. He had heard this tone several times in the past and it had never heralded good news.

"The child is a threat to the safety of Soul Society," the Head Captain said, his voice causing Hitsugaya's blood to run cold. "And as such will be dealt with accordingly. I'm going to send out teams of Shinigami to search for the child, who will then be brought to Soul Society."

Hitsugaya made a move to step forward and defend his daughter however he halted his actions when he caught Ichigo's eye. The rational part of his mind realized that it would be much harder for him to return to the world of the living to help his daughter if he spoke up now so he managed to hold his tongue.

But it took every ounce of self control that he possessed.

Ichigo was somewhat freaked out by the fact that he was being the voice of reason but this thought was eclipsed by the fact that the Head Captain had just ordered the death of a child that he knew absolutely nothing about. The fact that Tenshi was human with the powers of a Shinigami had been enough to seal her fate in the old man's eyes even before he met or knew anything about him.

That fact disgusted him and he was determined that the old man would pay for this.

"Can I have a couple of volunteers to assemble groups to go to the world of the living and search?" the Head Captain asked, not seeming to notice the looks in Ichigo's and Hitsugaya's eyes. Both of them stepped forward, along with Soi Fon, and the Head Captain nodded. "Gather together a group and leave immediately. This is a top priority."

"Yes sir," the trio chorused.

"You are dismissed."

Ichigo and Hitsugaya practically ran from the room and together they made their way to the Senkaimon that would take them to the world of the living. Captain Hitsugaya was completely ignoring the fact that he was supposed to take a group of subordinates but it didn't matter. He knew that his subordinates would cover for him and even if they didn't it was of no consequence.

Tenshi was the most important thing right now.

He had to find his daughter and get her somewhere safe; somewhere out of the reach of the Shinigami.

"Come on Toushirou!" Ichigo called out.

"Right!' So great was his concern for his daughter that the young captain didn't even pay attention to the fact that Ichigo had called him by his given name. The only thing that was important at the moment was to find Tenshi and make sure that she was safe.

After all, the Stealth Force was searching for her now.

"I'm going to miss you Snowflake," Hisana whispered through her tears. She'd tried everything to make her best friend change her mind but Tenshi was determined. And she had inherited a stubborn streak from her father that was unrivaled.

Tenshi pulled her best friend into an embrace, patting her on the back in a comforting manner. "We'll see each other again Hisana. I promise you that."

Hisana nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt. "Take care of yourself out there."

"I will," Tenshi said, a light of determination shining brightly in her teal eyes. "Will you do me a huge favor?"

"Anything," Hisana said.

"Tell my father that I love him," Tenshi said, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes as she thought about the father that she had always adored. "And that I'm sorry."

"I will," Hisana said. "I promise."

"Thank you," Tenshi whispered as she turned away from her friend and used her newly learned skill to flash-step away. It was important that she get as far away from Karakura as possible and that she travel as quickly as possible. No one could trace her back to this town.

When Ichigo and Hitsugaya arrived at the small house that Yuzu shared with Tenshi it was to find Ichigo's sister frantic and in tears. Ichigo quickly ran up to his sister and wrapped his arms around her. "Yuzu, what is it? What's wrong?"

"It's Tenshi," Yuzu said through her sobs. "I can't find her!"

"Oh no," Hitsugaya gasped.

"We have to search for her," Ichigo said, offering his sister a comforting smile before releasing his grip on her.

"You won't find her," a small voice called out.

The eyes of the adults shifted toward the sound of the voice and they watched as Hisana walked around the edge of the house. The little girl's eyes were rimmed in red and it was obvious that she had been crying. Ichigo quickly walked over and pulled his daughter into a hug. "What do you mean we won't find her?"

"Tenshi left," Hisana said, fresh tears streaming down her face.

"What do you mean she left?" Hitsugaya said, quickly coming to stand beside Ichigo and his daughter.

"She didn't want you to get in trouble because of her," Hisana said. "We went to Soul Society, so that she could talk to them, and she heard what they had planned. That she would be killed if they caught her. So she decided to disappear."

"No..." Hitsugaya's eyes were wide and horrified. He couldn't even imagine how his daughter had felt upon finding out that Soul Society had condemned her for something that wasn't even her fault and in this moment he vowed that he would never forgive the Head Captain.

"She made me promise to tell you something," Hisana said, gazing up at Tenshi's grief stricken father. "She wanted you to know that she loves you and that she's sorry."

"I have to find her," Hitsugaya said.

"No," Ichigo said, gazing at the white haired captain. "We have to find her."

A/N - and there's the end of chapter seven and Tenshi made good on her plans to flee. What will Hitsugaya and Ichigo do? And will the Stealth Force find the child? Stay tuned to the story to find out.