Author's Note: Life is awesome. I had a wonderful day. My exam is finally over and done with, which means it's really summer! Tomorrow I'm going to a fancy party with the boy I like, and then it's Canada Day festivities! Then the day after I'm going to Warped Tour with all my friends! And today I paid Amanda which means sexy MJ. Oh, finally, a good day! This is a very big deal!

X. " Ocean"

Staring out her window at the wide expanse of sand and rock, Hinamori reflected on how she'd come to be in Hueco Mundo. It wasn't especially traumatizing or romantic, but she had to wonder about the life she left behind at least once before it drove her mad.

"Momo Hinamori," a cold, smooth voice sounded from the corner of her room.

Stunned motionless, Hinamori snapped herself out of her temporary shock and unsheathed her zanpakutou. "Who's there?"

"I am a messenger of Aizen-sama," the voice informed her.

Spinning around, her eyes were met with an odd sight. He was entirely white, from his clothes to his skin, with dark hair, solemn eyes and a broken hollow mask that acted somewhat like a helmet. "Who are you?"

"My name is unimportant," he said, hands tucked inside his pockets. "What matters is the reason for my presence."

Hinamori kept her sword poised, fingers clenching the hilt. "Which is?"

"Aizen-sama requests your presence," the stranger took a purposeful pause before punctuating the statement with, "in Hueco Mundo."

Hinamori's breath caught in her throat, her grip on the weapon wavering slightly. "Who are you?"

"A messenger of Aizen-sama," he replied cryptically. "An envoy of your former captain."

"You're lying," she seethed, knuckles turning white. "You're a hollow!"

The figure shook his head. "I am an Arrancar, a creation of Aizen-sama."

"He would never…!"

Ulquiorra cut her off. "I don't have time to argue psychology with you, woman. Whether you agree to return to Hueco Mundo with me or not is your choice. However, should you refuse, Aizen-sama will be most disappointed."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Hinamori asked, though her resolve was already crumbling.

Seeming to have anticipated this, the stranger reached back into the shadows for a moment. He approached her then, placing an item of clothing in her hand.

Hinamori didn't need to unfold it to know what it was. "This is… this is Captain Aizen's Gotei Thirteen robe! Where did you…?"

"Aizen-sama sent it with me," he told her flatly. "Whether you accompany me or not, he has allowed you to keep it."

Hinamori's eyes watered, glued to the Fifth Division haori. She lowered and sheathed her zanpakutou, hugging the fabric to her body. "Take me to him," she whispered.

The intruder nodded. "As you wish."

Fingers lightly skimming what remained of her Hollow mask and eyes staring blankly at the ocean of sand before her, Hinamori hugged her captain's robe around her and smiled.