So…I haven't updated this one in over a month now. My bad guys. I just haven't been as inspired to write this and I didn't want to just give you all absolute crap so thank you for being patient.

Hitsugaya sat up when he felt another presence in his room. He relaxed when he saw the silhouette at the side of his futon. "What's wrong, Hitomi?"

Hitomi whimpered as she held her pillow close to her chest. "I'm scared, Daddy."

Hitsugaya blinked. He was about to ask her what she was scared of when a bolt of lightening and crash of thunder answered him. He suddenly had an armful of terrified Hitomi. He sighed. "I guess you want to stay here tonight?"

Hitomi nodded her head. She relaxed slightly when Hitsugaya laid back down and allowed her to curl up beside him. She snuggled into Hitsugaya's warm side. "Thank you, Daddy."

Hitsugaya stroked her hair absentmindedly. He sighed as another clap of thunder forced a whimper out of Hitomi. "The thunder isn't going to get you." He rolled his eyes as Hitomi continue to tremble in his arms. "Here, let's play a game that my grandmother taught me."

Hitomi turned her big blue eyes up to Hitsugaya's face. "What game?"

"Well, when he saw lightning you count until you hear thunder. The longer it takes to count, the farther the storm is from you." Hitsugaya explained.

Hitomi bit her lip before slowly nodding her head. She looked over her shoulder, waiting for a bolt of lightning. When she saw one, she winced but began counting with Hitsugaya. "One thousand one, One thousand two, One thousand three…"

The two continued counting up to one thousand twenty before they heard thunder. Hitsugaya almost smiled at the grin on Hitomi's face. "See? The storm is moving away from us."

Hitomi held onto the front of Hitsugaya's sleeping kimono. "Can I still stay with you, Daddy?"

"Yeah. You still need to get up in the morning though. Tomorrow is your first day at the academy."

Hitomi nodded her head sleepily, her eyes closing. "I'll make you proud, Daddy."

"Hitomi-chan, are you listening to me?"

Hitomi blinked and looked up, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, Orihime-chan. I was thinking about my daddy." The two girls were sitting on the couch in Orihime's room and Orihime had been trying to talk to the small girl for the past five minutes.

Orihime returned the smile. "It's okay. You miss him, don't you?"

Hitomi nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah. Did you know Daddy isn't really my daddy?"

Orihime blinked. "Well, I didn't think he was your biological father if that's what you mean."

"Matsumoto-mama found me in a box and they drew straws to see who would have to take care of me. Daddy drew the short straw." Hitomi clutched tightly to her white dress. "Daddy didn't really want me. He only took care of me because he had to."

Orihime reached out and pulled Hitomi into a tight hug. "You shouldn't think like that. He really does care about you. When the Arrancar came he demanded they return you. He's worried about you and he wants to get you back."

Hitomi looked up, hope in her eyes. "Really?"

Orihime grinned. "Of course."

"Oi, Chibi Chibi, let's go." Grimmjaw walked into the room, looking irritated as always.

Hitomi frowned. "Why?"

"His Highness has called a meeting and you are supposed to come."

Hitomi shuddered. "Do I have to go?"

Grimmjaw shrugged. "Unless you want him to come and get you personally, I suggest you get your ass moving."

Hitomi hopped down from the sofa. "I'll see you later, Orihime-chan." Hitomi walked beside Grimmjaw. She grabbed his hand in hers, tightening her grip when she felt his annoyed gaze on her. "Can I please hold your hand, Grimm?"

Grimmjaw rolled his eyes. "You already are, Moron."

"I'll let go if you want."

Grimmjaw sighed. "It's fine." He held her hand all the way into the meeting room.

Nnoitra sneered at the two as they walked in. "Aw, how sweet. Grimmjaw's holding the little princess's hand."

Hitomi stuck her tongue out at Nnoitra and released Grimmjaw's hand. "Shut up, Nnoitra! You're such a dummy." She skipped over to where Ulquiorra sat and climbed into his lap. "Hi, Ulqui-chan."

Ulquiorra stared down at the small girl. "Hello, Hitomi-sama."

Hitomi looked around curiously at all the seated Espada. "Why'd Aizen-jerk want to have a meeting?"

Ulquiorra sighed. "You really should be more respectful, Hitomi-sama. There are intruders."

Hitomi perked up. "Really?"

Nnoitra laughed. "What are you so excited about?"

Hitomi glared at the 5th Espada. "I hope whoever it is kicks your creepy butt all over this stupid desert."

"Nnoitra, do not speak so rudely to Hitomi-sama." Halibel glared reproachfully at Nnoitra. "She is Aizen-sama's chosen queen."

Hitomi grimaced. "Which is gross! He's way older than me! It's creepy! I don't wanna be his queen." She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.

"Good morning, my dear Espada." Aizen smiled at the group before taking a seat at the head of the table. He held his hand out to Hitomi. "Why don't you come sit with me, Hitomi-hime?"

Hitomi shook her head. "No way. I'm fine here." She grabbed onto Ulquiorra's pants, refusing to let go.

Aizen chuckled. "Very well." He turned his smiling face back to the Espada. "We are under attack." He cut his eyes over to Kaname. "Start the projector."

Hitomi gasped as the room went completely dark and a large beam of light came from the middle of the table. A picture appeared showing three people running through the desert. "It's Kurosaki-san!"

Aizen nodded his head. "The intruders are Kurosaki Ichigo, Ishida Uryuu, and Sado Yasutora."

Barragan, the oldest looking Espada sneered. "They're all just a bunch of kids. Why should we worry about them?"

Hitomi frowned at him. "You better not underestimate them, Gramps. They're way better than any of you!"

Aizen chuckled. "I wouldn't go that far, Hitomi-hime. However," His face became serious. "you shouldn't take any of them lightly. All four of them were once labeled as ryoka and broke into Soul Society, managing to fight on par with the Gotei 13."

Zommari raised an eyebrow. "There are only three of them. Where is the fourth?"

Aizen smirked. "Inoue Orihime was the fourth."

Nnoitra rolled his eyes. "So, they're here to save their friend. Why don't you just let 'em have her?"

Halibel glared at Nnoitra. "Haven't you been listening? Aizen-sama said we shouldn't underestimate them."

Hitomi tuned out their fighting and began daydreaming. She was startled when Grimmjaw stood up and began walking away. She hopped out of Ulquiorra's lap in order to follow the sixth Espada, frowning when Aizen reached out and grabbed her arm. "Let me go."

"Where are you going, Grimmjaw?" Kaname questioned, obviously annoyed by Grimmjaw's lack of respect.

Grimmjaw growled. "I'm gonna go kill them."

Kaname frowned. "Aizen-sama has given no such order. Sit down."

"I'm gonna get rid of them for your precious Aizen-sama." Grimmjaw was clearly annoyed now.

"Grimmjaw," Aizen spoke softly, pulling a wriggling Hitomi into his lap. "I appreciate your intentions. However, I'm not done speaking. Please return to your seat." He waited a few moments to see if Grimmjaw would answer. When he didn't, Aizen smirked. "Are you going to answer, Grimmjaw?"

Hitomi gasped as she watched Grimmjaw collapse to the ground. She attempted to escape Aizen's grip. "Leave Grimm alone!"

Aizen released Grimmjaw from his spiritual pressure and turned his attention back to the seated Espada. He stood up, holding Hitomi close to him. "Do not underestimate our enemies. There is no need to make a huge commotion, though. Go about as though nothing has happened; let them come to us. As long as you all stay by my side, we are invincible."

The minute Aizen put her down, Hitomi ran over to where Grimmjaw was kneeling on the ground. She gently placed a small hand on his back. "Are you okay, Grimm?"

Grimmjaw growled and stood up. "Leave me alone!"

Hitomi watched sadly as Grimmjaw left. She realized she was alone with the three traitors of Soul Society. Her eyes hardened and she glared angrily at Aizen. "You need to leave Grimm alone!"

She stuck her tongue out at him and quickly ran out of the room and back to her own. She curled up in the middle of her bed. She needed to come up with a plan to get herself and Orihime out of Hueco Mundo and into the desert of Las Noches. There was no way she was staying here any longer. Later today, when she was alone with Orihime, she talk to her and begin planning their escape.

Yay, I finally updated. I totally didn't realize that this has now broken 100 reviews!! Hooray! Thank you all so much for your continual support and patience.