A/N:

-X-

Mad Mercy (Instalment 5)

Does my vigil keep?

-X-

It was so close yet so far, outside of the walls and hallways of this enormous structure lied the Seireitei. The Institute was, in and of itself, an enormous structure, with levels being found both above and below ground and the entire premises of courtyard and other areas being so wide in scope that the SRDI even had its own refined gate. A gate that, if seen, clearly states that the entire area is lined by a secure, thick wall that no normal soul reaper can scale by foot.

Yet despite its size, it is but a microscopic portion in comparison to the grand area that calls itself the Court of Pure Souls. Where it takes only an hour or so to walk from one gate to another in the SRDI, it takes at least three days to cross the Seireitei if they run. Take into account the maze-like structure of the feudal society and it would take even longer.

But despite knowing this, the more Momo looked at the scenery before her, the more she felt like the SRDI was an entire world on its own-a statement that seemed to become truer the more she thought on it.

The walls and gate only served as a base premise on the security of the Institute, the precautions against intruders actually going far deeper and more effective than a mere construct of brick and cement. Scans, electric fences, biogenetic dust are but a few of the additional 'precautions' that can be found on the inside of the buildings.

However, as she surmised from her early explorations, these precautions were not used as much to keep people out as much as they were to keep people in. She hesitates to call some of them 'people', but she continued to label them as such none the less. Mainly because she could find no other proper name to call them. Using the term "thing" or "monster" seemed out of place, even though she often calls them that in her head when she first meets them. Yet their emotions, for the most part, are the same as anyone else's.

The underground was laden with winding stairways, long hallways and twirling passages. Each seeming to become bigger or more pronounced as the darkness of the lightless areas set in, and the glow of technical screens only serving to amplify its deep shadows. She could wander around down here for an eternity and still not be able to find her way back up to the equally confusing surface.

In fact, that was what she was technically doing. She's been wandering around in these tunnels for the last half-hour, regretting trying to take an alternate route back to her quarters. The reishi beacon she set in her room was useless by this point, as the signal simply dissipated beyond a certain point. A point that she passed long ago.

The dark was almost as encompassing as the cold, clinging to her form. She didn't like being lost. It made her feel vulnerable and scarred, primarily because she had absolutely nothing to distract her. She had made plans for her experiment days ago, and thoroughly went over possible alternatives hours ago. She wonders how Kurotsuchi does it. Now she was just walking with practically no aim, being full witness to the gaping maw of the cold shadows.

The walls were of cold, stainless steel, and needless to say, offered nothing to the boring scenery. It was so boring that she actually felt herself drifting away to sleep on a few occasions.

She stopped walking, her eyes honing in on what was distinctly a figure in the hallway. Her eyes narrowed at it as she realized she couldn't feel its spiritual pressure. It was meters away, and from her vision; looked vaguely humanoid…

It hasn't moved yet, but she could tell it was trying to peer towards her, not being as attuned to the darkness like she was.

Small, barely her height. Thin but well-built. What looked to be proper posture….She was not able to tell much about this mysterious figure, but she could tell that it was distinctly both healthy and well-abled. Even as she tried to concentrate on it, she couldn't pick up any trace of reiatsu to signify its living existence. However, she could hear faint breaths; the small, steady intakes and outtakes of air.

Then she heard a faint step on the floor, sounding like same sandals that she now wore. A shinigami? It would be a fortunate find for her, even if he/she didn't know how to navigate the tunnels. No one would mind one more missing foot soldier.

She gave a small smile at the thought, and began to step forward. She now had a smile on her face, her posture held high and her walk with a small gait that was close to becoming a skip. This assumed person would help her out, she was sure of it.

But then spoke the voice she know all too well. It spoke a name. A name that supposed to be forgotten.

"Momo?"

She stopped, her features now devoid of her former disarming façade. In its stead; genuine tell-tale signs of distress. Her former smile, meant to instil ease at whoever looked at it, was replaced with a small frown. The way she stood, meant to encourage the idea of her blissful ignorance, turned into one of meekness; her right hand was placed over her heart over habit as she grabbed the cloth there-a sure sign of her insecurity.

She felt a wave of uneasy worry pass over her, and it made her heart beat faster just as much as it made her short of breath as her breath hitched. Yes, she knew this person. Now that she knew, her eyes could better hone in on the familiar sight of his white hair; which only served to increase her unease. Surely enough also, she could even vaguely see the slight gleam of his turquoise eyes.

She didn't care on why he came here. Didn't even care how. But she knew that he shouldn't be here. These grounds were anything but forgiving and lenient to intruders; even its permanent tenants were subject to various measures of disparity.

It was an unconscious move, as well as a bad one, but she allowed her panic to take reign of her consciousness, even if only for a second, and it made her once carefully diluted spiritual pressure flicker.

The slow steps, still hesitant, were ever so slightly faster as he made his approach, weary still of the darkness that surrounds him, and alert to any sound or sign that she may move away from his form.

She was at a standstill, out of pure shock and slight horror at his arrival in this place. To be blunt, she never expected for him to even make it down here; the paths were well hidden and well regulated, specific regulations were in place as well as certain other security measures. It was created so that no matter how hard someone searched, the doorways would never be found—at least, not by the average person. No, even the skilled should have some difficulty.

But then, Hitsugaya is considered a genius, even by his peers. Even so, she never even dreamed that this perpetually obscured little place would never be discovered by him.

To realize that he was, in fact, in this place, at this time…it was mortifying to say the least. She had left her former world behind to lead a new life, one where she could pursue her own ambitions. The burden of friends and her other relations were encouraged to forgotten; either by Kurotsuchi's arduous training or by her own increasing interest in a variety of topics. It was rather easy for her to let them go; they lead their lives while she led hers. It's not like they lost anything in particular without her, they should treat her like a soldier lost on the battlefield, or like the demoted invalid that she technically was.

Honestly, what did they lose without her? A few hours spent idly talking, a marginal amount of social engagements? Just like their underlings and soldiers, friends come and go all the time. That and being backed by practically the most powerful authority within Seireitei, one would think that her former colleagues and acquaintances would not be stupid enough to try and reach her.

But here he was, her childhood friend, now a captain of the highest regard and skill. Hitsugaya was here right now, and she couldn't just simply wish him away, though she desperately wanted to.

In this rampant swirl of emotions and recollection, she let her grasp on her reiatsu slip once again, this time stronger, even if only for the slightest fraction of a second; a slip that did not go undetected by Hitsugaya.

He was unfettered by any doubt he previously had, and blatantly advanced toward her, still carrying that resolute air of authority as he did so. It was only a few seconds before she felt hands firmly grasping both of her arms, his face inching closer by trying scrutinize her features in the murk of the dark.

She saw the recognition that crossed those features; his eyes softened as it beheld her face, his grip slacked as he felt her warm reiatsu, and his breath escaped his lips, as if he had been holding it in.

Her thoughts were going haywire, trying to take priority of what to pay attention to; she was trying to sense out any trace of reiatsu in the area, and think of a way out of her current standing, as well as trying to register the events that just unfolded before her.

Was he really alone? Were there others? She was looking for information—any information. Be it by sound, touch or sense, she was desperately searching for some sort of input. She was trying to probe the darkness for any sort of relapse.

Hitsugaya, a bit weary of her condition, stared at her with the same intensity as his current grasp "Momo. Momo it's me…"

She started shaking, uncontrollably so. She shook like a leaf in his arms, like the fierce winds of burden were too much for her to bear in her slight frame. It prompted a small, yet forceful shake from the white haired captain "What's wrong Momo?"

She wouldn't answer. Would never answer. She feared the consequences for doing so. For she already felt it…sensed it. From amidst the obscurity, she felt the oncoming presence of something hiding behind the pretense of normalcy and was about to step forth regardless of her will. It was just waiting for her to break to do so.

But what could she do? He was here, a living taunt of all that she left behind, all of the laughs and smiles that she once had. She could do nothing to stop his grasp from pulling her away from that spot. She could do even less when he tightened his grip around her wrist, not keen on letting go what he finally found "I'll get you out of here Momo."

She was still trembling, and indeed, the oncoming pressure, signaled by her wavering will, was coming ever closer. It had no intention of letting her get away, there was no way she could avoid this.

She collapsed, her feet no longer willing to carry her on any further. Stunted by this, it was only a moment before Hitsugaya was by her side, his eyes brimming with worry "What's wrong?" he felt her wrist, and traveled the length of her forearm "Are you hurt?" and continued to search by touch, clearly doubting her treatment under Kurotsuchi.

She was thin, much thinner since he last saw her, and even as his fingers ghosted around her skin, he could clearly feel bone that is barely coated with muscle. As of a few moments ago, when he began to lead her away from this hell hole she now had to call home, he also deduced that she was lighter—disturbingly so. Now she seemed like she was either in a horrible fright or was in an epileptic episode; he never did trust what they probably did to her down here.

A surprised grunt escaped him when she hugged him, linking her arms around his torso and pulling him closer. 'Shiro…'

It was a tight embrace, full of desperate pressure so as to make sure that this was not a dream. The feel of his soft haori, the reassuring touch of his back muscles, the scent of his well-groomed figure; she took this chance to memorize it all. She even did the act of seeking out the bare skin of his hands, stroking the smooth skin, as if to confirm that it was really him. It had been so long since she last saw him, but she was not surprised to find out how little he's changed…very much unlike her.

A few tears now stained his haori, but he didn't care. She didn't care either, her face was buried in his shoulder, letting go of all of the pent up grief.

He embraced her back, willing to allow himself a few moments of temporary solace in having her in his arms. He was sure she needed it. But he was also sure that he needed to escape quickly; the less time they spent down here, the better "It would be best if we get moving. Given the nature of this place, we should get out of here as soon as possible. I'll carry you if I have to."

She took this moment to back up a bit, slightly pushing on his shoulders as she did so, finally being able to look at him in the face. It was laden with worry, his frown still pronounced as his eyes continued to scan her face, his brows furrowing as he tried to formulate his own answers to the incessant questions that likely rang in his head.

With a wavering hand, she reached up to allow her fingers to grasp and lace the white locks of his bangs. He looked surprised for a second, but allowed her to continue, but he was still insistent "Momo…now is not the time."

And for the first time since he saw her, she stopped her incessant shivering, and what he could only consider to be a sad look took possession of her face. Her face looked like a combination of worry and nervousness before, marred with bits of worry, but this look was distinctly...forlorn. But that scene was blacked out before he could even question it. She placed her hands over his eyes, whispering a few words as she slid her fingers across his skin to cover his method of sight.

All that was left for him after that, was the blackness of unconsciousness. Holding his now limp figure in her arms, she carefully laid him on the cool ground.

He didn't belong in this world.

She gave a silent sigh as the figure behind her finally stepped out of his façade of camouflage that blended perfectly with his surroundings. With a monotone expression on his face, Kurotsuchi finally saw fit to end his sneaky aversions, allowing the crisp bellowing of his own haori to echo in the dismal hallways.

He was presence that she felt before, shadowing her every movement once he determined her as being with an intruder. He began creeping forth slowly, but the more she paid attention to him, the more she realized that he was becoming displeased with the developments between her and what he likely knew was Hitsugaya. In between moving in the shadows and hiding his own presence, she was afraid of both his retaliation for her 'impudence' and the consequences for Toshiro's 'theft'. Such crimes were not taken lightly by him.

He was the elusive phantom of her world, always following or slithering over every move she made and every wish she may have. But he was also her jailor, always threatening to drag her back if she were to wander off from what was her prison as well as her sanctuary.

She didn't dare face him right now, not without knowing Kurotsuchi's current temperament; though she performed Inemuri*1 on Hitsugaya to render him unconscious, there was no telling on how Kurotsuchi felt in regards to his trespassing. Even if he was a captain, it would not surprise her is Hitsugaya is lent the some form of punishment that he reserves for his disobedient subordinates.

But he just looked at that scene and slightly cocked his head to the side, as if his head was that of a puppet that was weighed down. Then he looked at her, his eyes doing a thorough once-over on her form, and then straightened his hunched over composure as Nemu appeared by his side "Take him out. To his own squad preferably. It will likely cause a ruckus if he is missing for more than a few hours."

Her grip tightened on her unconscious childhood friend as Nemu approached, and tried her best not look or act reluctant as she allowed him to leave her arms. She left almost as quickly as she came, her fervent and quick footsteps only signaling her leaving as Momo was left alone with Kurotsuchi.

Her palms were flat on the ground, mostly as an attempt to calm her beating heart, and she sincerely hoped that Kurotsuchi, sharp as he was, did not notice that she was slightly sweating. But she knew he probably did, yet his continued silence as the footsteps faded away on served to unnerve her more.

The encroaching silence was, to her, proof of his anger. He would have left for a better use of his time if he wasn't. Yet he had yet to act, a notion that was simply unknown for nearly all who knew Kurotsuchi; he was prone to acting out quickly and rashly when he was enraged. The only exception were those fortunate enough to escape him the first time, then his grudge would be the fuel that leads to their fall.

But she was right here, offering no resistance, and laid so plainly before him. What was he thinking right now?

"Tracking molecule sensors on his haori, informational bacteria on his skin, chemicals in his hair…"

Her blood ran cold as he continued rambling on, now having realized that he had discovered her method of precaution. Her blood was now pounding in her ears as she continued to try and not to panic.

Her lip started trembling on its own accord, and she couldn't help but bit on her lower lip to the point that t started to slightly bleed. She was going to get punished, she was sure.

Such doubts were answered when she was roughly grabbed on one arm and turned, being forcefully brought face to face with her superior, his face marred with focusing eyes, furrowed brows and a deep frown "Why are you not facing me? It is only proper etiquette that you at least look toward your commanding officer when he enters the room." She squirmed when she felt a clammy hand on her throat, starting to clamp onto the skin there "Look at me and listen very carefully."

She silently gulped as she instantly did as she was told, feeling frightened under his intense gaze that was leering at her—as if she was an abhorrent sight to his eyes.

"You will never leave. You yourself chose to stay down here and I am obligated to make sure that you stick by your own foolish choice." He came down closer to her, his voice taking on a tone of a sort of deep rage "I don't care if I have to break your bones, tear of your skin piece by piece or cut into the very fabric of your mind. You. Will. Not. Leave."

-x-

*1 :Inemuri: A kido spell that causes the person under its influence to become unconscious. You may know it from the time Yamamoto used it on Hinamori.