I do not own bleach.
Chapter 7 FriendsIzuru Kira and Rangiku Matsumoto were lying in cots in an extra room of the fourth division. Being some of her dearest friends, they were immediately informed of the current situation. They had arrived shortly after the chaos that shook the building the previous evening. They were met by a very shaken Isane Kotetsu who told them to wait there and then promptly raced back to Hinamori's room. They waited for nearly an hour before being informed by a grim-looking Isane that Hinamori had gone back into a coma, this one even deeper than her first, and that it was unlikely that she would ever wake up. Kira went pale and looked as if he was going to faint. Matsumoto's eyes filled with tears. One of their best friends was essentially dead.
They asked to see her, but Isane told them to go back to their divisions as it would not be until morning that they would be able to see Hinamori. They refused to leave, so Isane told them to rest in the only room still intact after the earlier disturbance. After giving them each cots and blankets, she told them to rest until morning. They lied down but they did not go to sleep. They were too deep in thought.
Izuru was full of guilt. He thought about how this was all his fault. How if not for him, Captain Hitsugaya would have been able to protect her. He had foolishly believed Ichimaru when he said that no harm would come to Momo. Now she would sleep forever until her body wasted away because of him.
Matsumoto was filled with sadness. She attempted to remain hopeful, but it was difficult. She thought about her captain, and the love he felt for Momo that he himself probably didn't realize. Now it seemed that they would be kept apart forever.
After several hours of these thoughts, a knock came on the door. Captain Unohana walked in. The two Vice-Captains sat up, eager for news on Hinamori's condition and at the same time afraid about what that news may be. They then noticed a smile on Unohana's face.
"Hinamori is awake." She said.
"Is it true? She's really awake?!" Kira said, overjoyed that his friend was okay and that he would not have to live with the guilt of having caused this all of his life.
"This is wonderful." Matsumoto said, tears of joy filling her eyes.
Unohana smiled at them before continuing, "There is something that must be discussed."
"What is it?" asked Kira.
"Do you two know what that disturbance earlier was," she asked. The two of them shook their heads.
"That was the Reiatsu of Vice-Captain Hinamori. As it turns out, her true power has not yet been tapped into until now. It is too early to be certain, but I would estimate that her current power level is about equal to Captain-Commander Yamamoto." She said.
Kira and Matsumoto's eyes widened at this. Momo equal to the greatest shinigami in all of soul society? It was incredible. This was the most amazing thing any of them had heard of.
Unohana continued, "Furthermore, I am pleased to tell you that Miss Hinamori has accepted the fact of Aizen's betrayal." The three were astounded. Hinamori had made so much progress in such a short amount of time. They may soon have their old friend back.
"However," Unohana said, "We do have several concerns."
"Concerns about what?" Kira asked.
"First of all, I would like to keep the news of Miss Hinamori's new powers quiet. Only you two, the captains, Isane, and my third, fourth, and seventh seats will know about this. This is to ensure that she will experience as little stress as possible, but it is also for her protection. If her new powers become common knowledge in Soul Society, Aizen may find out. If that happens, he will almost certainly attempt to have her killed before she can develop her powers to the point where she's a threat to him." Unohana said.
The two exchanged shocked looks. Hinamori had just begun to recover, and already she was in danger of Aizen.
"It is for this reason that I would like at least one of you to accompany Miss Hinamori at all times. This will help ensure her protection, but with luck being around her friends will help her be able to get back to her old self more quickly." She said with a smile.
Kira and Matsumoto agreed; they would all gladly protect Hinamori with their lives.
"Also," Unohana said, "I must inform you that myself, Isane, and my seventh seat will be leaving tomorrow on a special mission. We will not be back for some time, so all responsibilities for Miss Hinamori will be passed on to my third and fourth seats. They will be taking care of her."
The two nodded in understanding. "May we see her in the morning?" Matsumoto asked.
"It will be up to her, but I'm sure that she will be overjoyed to see her friends again." Unohana said. "Now please get some rest."
The two immediately complied and fell asleep. Unohana closed the door and went to check on Hinamori. Opening the door to her room she saw that Hinamori had fallen asleep. Hitsugaya sat sleeping in a chair next to her, his arm being held by Hinamori like a teddy bear. Unohana smiled. Young love was so sweet.
Okay, it seems that my attempt to convince you all to give me 10 reviews in 24 hours has failed, so I am trying a different approach. Whoever gives me the best review will have their user name made into an anagram for the name of the mysterious fourth seat of the fourth division. Hurry and write good reviews, as the next chapter cannot occur until I have a name for this character.
Also, just to clear things up, there's nothing going on between Kira and Matsumoto. They only shared a room because Hinamori's reiatsu damaged all of the other rooms, although I have to give Kira credit for not taking advantage of the situation.
In addition, you may have noticed that Renji is absent as he is currently in Hueco Mundo (I accidentally wrote the first half of the chapter with him in it). I am attempting to keep this concurrent with the main story line.
Also, did you notice that yesterday was Valentines Day and that yesterday's chapter was about Hinamori and Hitsugaya professing their love for one another? I didn't even notice that while I was writing it! Talk about coincidences!
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, please continue.
