This is a rather short chapter, and to be honest, I don't really like it either. (Is there any chapter in my fic I'm actually happy with?)

Disclaimer: Dun pwn BLEACH. D:

SEVEN - Parting while parted

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"Apparently there are lots of 'em, everywhere."

Kira flinched and faced Ikkaku with a terrified expression. While patiently waiting for the rest of the party to show up, Ikkaku was enjoying himself by tainting and explaining to Kira in detail just how dangerous this mission would turn out to be.

Renji had fearlessly been listening to Ikkaku's stories, and with an irritated tone he tried to make the 3rd seat baldy understand just why he should shut the hell up.

"Lay off on him already, Ikkaku-san", Renji said with a following sigh.

Ikkaku grinned widely, leaning towards a wall with a cocky expression.

"Well, whatever. This better be fun, know what I'm sayin'?"

Kira couldn't disagree more, but he kept his mouth shut.

He glanced at Renji who silently glanced back, and they both knew they were thinking about the same thing - as they had suspected, Hitsugaya hadn't come to meet with them. Matsumoto said she was going to check up on him and Hinamori, but both Renji and Kira felt like they couldn't leave before they could make sure everything was alright.

"Hey", Ikkaku called. "Are you two listening?"

Renji and Kira was brought back and looked at Ikkaku, both of them shaking their heads. Ikkaku sighed and pointed in a direction towards some people headed their way. It took a while before Renji and Kira could see who they were.

"Look who's headed this way", Ikkaku said with a confident smile.

"But... It's not..." Renji stared as if he had seen a ghost.

"... possible?" Ikkaku laughed. "Look right in front of you."

And what was right in front of them, was the rest of the group - and none other than Hitsugaya was among them. Ikkaku didn't mind showing how impressed he was.

"Looks like we're ready to kick som ass, ladies."

---

She had woken up to silence and emptiness.

When Hinamori tried to stand up while leaning towards the wall, her legs were shaking badly - but she felt much better.

I wonder why... Only yesterday I felt terrible... As if I was going to die from the pain...

Hitsugaya wasn't there, and neither were the medics. Hinamori felt the loneliness grab hold of her heart. She pressed her hands against her chest as if to support herself, and to remove some of the pressure. That was when she noticed something.

Inside of her sleeve, a small flask and a piece of paper had been placed. Being overly curious about the note, she quickly opened it and read the contents.

Take this when you are
feeling weak
It's incomplete, but it
should prove to be useful

Hinamori could feel a slight disappointment reaching her. It had probably just been one of the medics leaving her with some medications. She sighed and sat down very carefully.

That's right... He's leaving today, isn't he?

A lone tear went down her cheek. She had at least wanted to say good-bye, and see him off. Now she was stuck in an empty room with a headache and a terrible aftertaste from that medicine in her mouth, unable to accomplish anything.

What should I do...?

Hinamori flinched.

... That's his...

She stood up, fully neglecting her strained body, and rushed outside. She could feel his reiatsu still - it wasn't too late. If she couldn't stop him, at least she would be able to say good-bye, and more importantly, she would be able to apologize.

I'm the reason he's under such pressure. I can't blame him for acting so weird and hugging me and all that! He was worried, so...

Something appeared to be bubbling up in her throat, and Hinamori fell over on the ground coughing. She covered her mouth with her hand so less people would notice her. When she removed the hand, it was covered in blood.

... No, not yet... I'm almost there!

She kept running for minutes that felt like hours, trying to speed up whenever she subconsciously slowed down. But Hinamori's body hadn't gotten used to her reckless movements, so eventually she had to stop. She tried raising her reiatsu so that Hitsugaya would notice her, but that only made her more exhausted.

"If... If I don't... hurry..."

It took forever before Hinamori had finally caught her breath. She readied herself for more running, but her legs wouldn't help her anymore. She fell, desperately clinging on to the rocks on the ground in order to stay conscious. She cried, and crawled - straining not only her arms but also her hands.

But by then,

Hitsugaya's reiatsu was already gone.

But she kept going.

Tears were blinding her as she fought her way through, yet she wouldn't stop.

If I can't speak with him... If I can't say I'm sorry, I'll just have to follow him until I can...!

But it was easier said than done, and Hinamori was well aware of that.

Yet, she just wouldn't stop.

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... Bleh.

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