The Denied Apprentice

"I could go retrieve the Subject IV for you Momo-San," Torreya-Kin spoke.

"You know Zanpakutō Spirits can't go alone into the human world without going berserk," Hinamori replied.

"I could take the mod-soul with me after you trained him to be a bit less useless."

"And expose your identity right before becoming Captain? Those Gotei 13 Shinigamis won't understand they have strong bonds with Subject IV."

Torrey-Kin smiled as he watched his oblivious master, she seemed to not realize that although she has lost all her memory, he still has them, within his robes were the a stone that glowed and flickered but never burned.

"Get training, I'll be back in a year, but I think I might need Tobiume."

The Unlikely Shinigami

"Yes, why don't we?" The figure holding Ichigo dropped him and reached inside its own cloak, he pulled out his Zanpakutō and walked over to one of the human full bring users. "But we should take care of this one first. Without him, Ichigo Kurosaki's world should return to normal, yes?"

"Snap, Tobiume."

Tōshirō's eyes widened, it was the same sword, the same command, even the same spiritual pressure coming from the sword. The cloaked figure took off its hood and smiled.

"Don't worry Tōshirō Hitsugaya, I'm really not Momo Hinamori."

A Pleasant First Meeting

Ω Ω Present Human World Ω Ω

(This a semi- tie-in with the real Bleach Manga)

"WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!" the other cloaked figure hollered. "Our mission was just to extract Subject IV, didn't Sensei stress that any clash with the Gotei 13 was to be avoided at all cost.

"You might as well come out of that cloak, they will assume its you later on anyways."

Grudgingly the other cloaked figure took of his hood, he has jet-black hair that was very messy and a bit curly, dark eyes that looked furious, he was tall, and almost completely unrecognizable from the human body he had been sealed in for a dozen years, Karin Kurosaki. "I still can't believe Subject IV was Ichigo."

"That one holding a scythe is a refined Mod-Soul," Kenpachi muttered, Byakuya nodded but the rest of the Shinigamis were still eyeing the first cloaked figure, he had long dark hair and soft brown eyes, he was wearing a white kimono with a bright fiery cloak, although his spiritual power was completely foreign, the reiatsu in his Zanpakutō was indeed identical to the one in Hinamori's Zanpakutō. Tōshirō Hitsugaya looked a bit unsteady, beneath his scarf the stone glowed brighter than it has ever been.

"That's 5th Division Lietenant Hinamori's Zanpakutō!" Rukia shouted. "Where did you get it from?"

"Rukia!" Byakuya said softly. "That spirit is a member of the Royal Guard."

"So, there are a few not as ignorant as the rest in this group," the Spirit smiled. "I'm Torreya Kin. Third chair of the 0th division, pleasant to meet you, as you can see, we would like to help Ichigo Kurosaki recover his powers, and you all should know that the 0th Division can do it better than what some ex-members of the Gotei 13 is capable of."

Kisuke Urahara scowled. "Is this the Spirit King's orders?"

"Why but yes. You should know that you nearly bothered the Spirit King with your little experiment, and you should know what the Royal Guard will do when the Royal King is bothered," Torreya Kin smiled. "Oh it seems like Ex-Subject III has escaped. Well all the more reasons to bring Subject IV to your sensei."

"WAIT! You haven't answered Rukia's question," Renji yelled. "Why can you wield Hinamori's Zanpakutō?"

"Karin, you clean up those humans," Torreya Kin ordered, and then he turned back and smiled wider, "Then let me ask you, where do you think Momo HInamori is?"

"She's in the Beyond," Tōshirō yelled, looking at him you can almost sense a vibe a suppressed grief slowly leaking out. Around him the others uncomfortably fidgeted. "She gave her life up for Soul Society."

"The Spirit King assembles all lost Zanpakutō spirits into his own standing army, they are easy to control because they went crazy," Urahara grimaced as he told of this. "Zanpakutō spirits become lost because there owners were captured by the gates of Hell, they go crazy as soon as they see their masters burn eternally within the gates."

"Stop!" Rukia shouted, she wasn't looking at Urahara but at Tōshirō, whose eyes seem to reflect those of a crazy Zanpakutō.

"Let me rephrase my question, who did you think Momo Hinamori is?"

Ω Ω Tōshirō's Mind Ω Ω

"Who am I?"

Tōshirō made out an outline of a girl, he didn't recognize her, or perhaps he didn't want to.

All the people who care and loved you think you are dead. You are just causing them pain right now.

The girl began to cry; again Tōshirō denied it could be anyone he recognized.

Look at it, isn't it beautiful?

The girl looked at Tōshirō.

He could deny no longer.

It was Hinamori.

Momo Hinamori.

She looked paler, thinner, and sicklier than ever, but she was there in front of him.

Tōshirō couldn't speak, he couldn't move, Hinamori walked unsteadily towards him; her eyes show no sign or recognition. She reached out her hand to touch his but at last moment she stopped, sobbing uncontrollably Hinamori spoke. ""Please wait for me, I am not dead. I promise I will remember every last thing that was important to me."

Ω Ω Present Human World Ω Ω

"Where is Hinamori?" Tōshirō asked. His fellow shinigamis looked at him as if he were crazy, no one questioned where one goes after Soul Society. "Where is she?"

"Didn't you listen? Zanpakutō's can't go to the beyond without their shinigamis, but I believe, it also works the other way as well."

"YOU SENT HER TO HELL?"

The spirit said nothing; he smiled again and began walking towards the portal. Along the way he picked Ichigo up.

"WAIT, WHAT DID YOU DO TO HINAMORI?"

"You are too impulsive Tōshirō Hitsugaya, that was why you were never able to protect Hinamori. We will meet again, Shinigamis of Gotei 13, until then do fare well." With a nod he left through the portal sealing it from behind.

"We must leave here," said Kisuke Urahara.

"Urahara-san."

"I have a message from Captain Yamamoto, the Captains must return at once for the welcoming ceremony of a New Captain. I have briefed him already about what just happened, he believes that the 0th Divisions actions are all for the best."

"But Urahara-san…"

"Rukia, Isshin Kurosaki is currently following the two abductors, you should know he is at least more than capable of watching over his son."

"No, it's not that, I wanted to ask about the 0th Division Member's sword, what he said about lost Zanpakutōs, is it true?"

Kisuke Urahara's face became very grave, he turned away. "From what I know, yes, it seems so."

To Be Continued