I had to change my pen name and other information due to unforeseen circumstances, but I assure you all, I'm still the same authoress.

This chapter portrays Hyourinmaru's view of Hinamori in different stages. I've always wanted to write about how someone so important in Hitsugaya's life views the one person he strives to protect, so here we go.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 12

In Plain Sight

Words: 1741

Hyourinmaru thought she was plain and simply boring. And as he watched her swinging her sword in hesitant movements, he had no idea why his master wanted to protect her. She was weak and too dependable on others, her swordsmanship wasn't excellent and although Hyourinmaru could care less, he thought she wasn't that good-looking too. Sure, she was gifted in Kido and was a good strategist, but he couldn't understand why his master would spend most of his time worrying about this girl. Honestly, is she that great?

She wasn't great, just important. The most important person in his master's life. And he couldn't see how it came to be that way.

She was fumbling now and Hitsugaya had to catch her before she fell, holding her up with protective arms.

"Hinamori, you need to be firmer with your sword. Swing it like you mean it," the white-haired captain advised.

She nodded her head. She had recently been discharged from the fourth division and declared by Captain Unohana that she was fit to resume training. Hitsugaya had offered, more like requested, to assist her in her training. He claimed he knew her styles well and could be more of a help than the others, but in reality, he just didn't want any other captain to oversee her training.

So here they were, helping Hinamori gain some strength and confidence back. Hitsugaya was supervising her swordsmanship today and Hyourinmaru was carefully strapped to his back. They had gone on for about an hour now and Hyourinmaru saw no improvement in the girl. Her actions were clumsy and she was exhausted, it was beginning to annoy Hyourinmaru and made him think that she was one who held a sword for the first time. If Hyourinmaru didn't know better, he would have thought Hinamori was a new recruit.

Hyourinmaru sometimes envied the other Zanpakutos. Their worlds were filled with vast horizons, tall buildings and wide plains. But his, his was just an endless row of small houses, all similar, covered in snow. He was a powerful Zanpakuto, but the world he lived in, the world his master portrayed, certainly did not make him feel that way. Hyourinmaru knew the houses resembled where the childhood friends uses to live in. His master cherished the memories from those days and Hyourinmaru admitted his determination to protect her was noble, but it had to be enough already.

He knew how his master saw her. From the very first time Hyourinmaru saw the girl, he knew his master liked her. Really now, all Hyourinmaru saw was a dull girl. How his master wanted to protect her with all his might, he had no idea. He was the most powerful ice-snow type Zanpakuto for heaven's sake and his master was supposed to use his power to protect greater things, like Soul Society, not just that girl. He couldn't believe it was her who prompted his master to hear his name. He couldn't believe his power was used mostly to protect her. He didn't understand.

Why? Why did his master take a liking to this girl? This girl who put a traitor above her best friend and pointed a sword at him, who was weak and childish. His master deserved someone better, so why did he settle for someone less worthy? Was there something else? Was there something he missed? Was there more to the innocent eyes she had, the broken smile she wore?

It was at times like that that Hyourinmaru didn't really understand his master. And perhaps that is why his Bankai is still premature. What Hitsugaya wanted was not what Hyourinmaru wanted. Their hearts were not in sync.

And as Hitsugaya guided Hinamori along, Hyourinmaru could only watch and not understand.

-x-X-x-

It had been several months after Hinamori was finally able to resume her duties as vice-captain once more. Her swordsmanship and Kido improved, along with her health, and she was able to execute missions. But Hyourinmaru was still not impressed with her.

His master was training her again. It was beginning to be a routine. She would arrive at the tenth division's training grounds and his master would focus on her swordsmanship and attacking and defensive techniques. Her movements were faster and there were fewer hesitance in her form. She was able to spar with his master without exhausting herself too much. She improved, but lacked a lot more.

Their swords clashed and Hitsugaya sent a powerful blow in her direction. She was performing a Kido spell but wasn't fast enough and before she knew it, she was knocked off her feet and found herself several yards away. Hyourinmaru saw the concerned look in his master's eyes and sighed inwardly. He didn't need to be too concerned, she was alright.

"Too slow," his master said, masking the concern with a cool expression, but Hyourinmaru knew better.

He knew his master was in love with her. He had finally come to understand that. He knew why, it was because she was the one who befriended him when nobody else did, cared for him like no one ever did and melted his cold heart. He knew that, but he couldn't really grasp that concept. Why couldn't his master choose someone stronger, more intelligent, and more attractive? That other Shinigami who used an ice-snow type Zanpakuto like him would do. She had the most beautiful Zanpakuto in Seireitei. They would match, wouldn't they? Or his vice- captain? She was extremely attractive, but Hyourinmaru knew his master wasn't interested in matters like that. He had eyes only for Hinamori.

Hyourinmaru thought she was kind, too kind for her own good, naive and gullible. She always found the positive sides of everyone and disregarded the negative parts. She put others in front of herself and was loved by many. The total opposite of his master. His master was cold, critical and was constantly wary of others. She was warm and he was hostile. She loved being around people and he preferred to be alone. She was sometimes slow in learning and he was a prodigy, picking up fast. They were like fire and ice. Two extremely opposites sides of matter, but when you put them together, they created the most wonderful thing.

Hyourinmaru clashed with Tobi Ume and for once, he was impressed. Hinamori's sword was no longer filled with despair and uncertainty, the determination that left had returned. His master's eyes locked with hers and his heart skipped a beat. Hyourinmaru felt it and it was then he began to realize and finally got a peek into his master's deepest emotions.

Perhaps, it won't be long before their hearts were connected and they both yearned for the same thing.

-x-X-x-

They were falling, one by one. The Gotei 13 had put up a good fight, but Aizen was winning, slowly but surely. Amongst the few who were still standing were Hitsugaya and Hinamori. The latter was breathing hard and bleeding, having fought a Fraccion one on one. She gripped her sword firmly and although Hitsugaya knew she was having the upper hand, he was worried. Hinamori was soon reaching the limit of her Shikai, the reason she was able to last this long were her good strategies and expertise in infusing Kido with her swordsmanship.

"Where are you looking at?" the blonde Espada asked. "You are distracted. By that girl."

Hitsugaya remained silent, seeing no need for him to answer. In a moment, their swords clashed again.

"Ryuusenka."

"Cascada."

The ice was crushed to a million pieces by Harribel's attack and Hitsugaya could see, in their reflections, Hinamori's panting form. He furrowed his brows, and Harribel's voice made him snap his head up.

"If I kill her, would you take this fight seriously?"

A low growl escaped Hitsugaya's throat. Harribel didn't give him a chance to attack as she continued, "She's the source of your distraction, you are not fighting at full strength. If I kill her, would you show me the true extent of a captain's power?"

"I'm your opponent. Leave her out of this."

"I could simply crush her to pieces, her frail body would be grounded to dust in seconds, I would slice her, if that could expose me to the world of a Captain's Bankai."

In that instant, Hyourinmaru felt his master's fingers tighten their hold on the hilt and a surge of reiatsu rushed through his veins.

"I won't say this again..."

But before Hitsugaya could finish, Harribel flashed past him, in the direction of Hinamori. Eyes wide, Hitsugaya wasted no time in pursuing her.

"Tch!" Swords clashed as Hitsugaya's and Harribel's blade made forceful contact. Using all his strength, the tenth division Captain pushed the Espada away. "I told you, if you hurt her, I will make you experience pain a thousand times worse than dying," he whispered darkly.

Something stirred in his heart. Hinamori, his Hinamori was being threatened. They were in a war. Her life was at stake. He almost lost her once, and he wouldn't let that happen again.

And he understood.

After all the conversations, meetings, visits, meditation, training, battles, Hyourinmaru finally understood. For a second he caught a glimpse of his master's true heart, and that was enough.

He loved her. As simple as that, his master loved her. This girl whose naivety brought about her downfall, who strives to see the good in everyone, who isn't cut out for killing Hollows and facing battles and all this mindless bloodshed. And since when, Hyourinmaru wasn't sure. But he knew she was, and is, an important part of his master's life and somewhere deep in his soul, he knew there were unspoken feelings Hitsugaya had towards his childhood friend. It was obvious, yet obscure. Perhaps it was because Hitsugaya kept them buried in his heart, covering those feelings in a web of denials, refusing to let anyone be privy to the deepest and most guarded chambers of his heart that Hyourinmaru didn't know.

But now he does. And finally, their hearts connected. Two hearts, one desire. To protect this girl. This girl, who should not be fighting this battle, should not be subjected to such evil, but is, simply because she needs to, in order to redeem herself, to redeem her comrades.

Hyourinmaru finally understood, and whatever shadow of doubt that existed before was vanquished, as he became one with his master.

What his master desired, he will too.

-Owari-

See? I'm alive. Haha, this chapter has actually been in progress for a long time now, I just recently decided to finish it up. It's just a short take on Hyourinmaru's perceptions and it was fun writing from the POV of a Zanpakutou; it's a nice change from the usual characters. Hope I've done Hyourinmaru justice. Well, hope you guys enjoyed that and R&R!

Till next time.