Chapter 14: Unnamed Royalty

Little Falcon: Sorry for the wait, I've been busy. I'll update whenever I can, okay? Please read and review.

Standard Disclaimer: I don't own this series. If I did, I'd be the happiest person on earth. All I own was the idea.

Their beady eyes of the two intruders were pinned on the 5th Squad Vice Captain as she tried to avoid their gaze. The person standing in front of her protectively, held his katana confidently, ready for blood.

Even with her eyes not meeting theirs, the cold shiver running down her spine told her that they were watching her closely. This is pathetic! I've trained so hard and yet I tremble at the very sight of them. Her body couldn't stop from shaking even if she willed it not to. Her fear paralyzed even her capacity to think. Suddenly, she found it hard to breathe. A protective touch and familiar warmth pulled her out of the darkness. "Momo," his deep, rich voice banished every fear in her heart as his call echoed in her mind. His turquoise eyes looked at her reassuringly as his hold of her hand tightened. No need for other words to be spoken. With her fear gone, Hinamori was able to lift her eyes and finally stare at the two people who betrayed her.

The moment she met his silver gaze, the battle began. Hollows of every form roared as they lunged at the small group of death gods waiting for combat. Swords were called, ceros were released but not one dared to blink as Hitsugaya together with the new 5th Squad captain attacked the former 5th Squad captain, Aizen.

There were no longer any traces of hesitation in her eyes as she engaged in combat with the former 3rd Squad Captain, Kagami Zero. At first she was still trying to read her opponent, still tempted to reach for her sword but then she was able to gradually learn Kagami's attack in a short amount of time and finally able to be at equal footing with her opponent even with her katana still sheathed.

"Not bad, Naomi-hime," Kagami said as they crossed each other's paths, both trying to evade the other's attack. When they were facing each other again in safe distance, a smirk appeared on his handsome face as his unruly dark green hair played with the wind. "Not a hint of surprise," his smirk grew wider. "Since when have you been fooling your own comrades by letting them think you know nothing?"

His words were meant to intimidate her that much she knew. Any warrior, who knew this, would think that it is best not to let it get to your head but her guilt overpowered her rationality. Literally, Hinamori shook her head, making her long wavy hair scatter around her like a veil then her chestnut brown eyes lit in rage. Her hand immediately gripped the handle of her blade. In a flash, their blades crossed and their faces merely inches away from each other. "What do you want, onii-chan?" she gritted her teeth trying to hold her ground while waiting for his reply.

Dealing with Aizen's released soul slayer was a handful even with Ichigo's help. As they stood, waiting for the other to attack, in his peripheral vision, he saw the former 3rd Squad Captain's face so close to Hinamori, his lips muttering something that made her freeze then it closed the distance in between their lips. His pupils dilated in anger as he released his Bankai.

Even before his real battle began, several high level reiastu appeared around them. In the blink of an eye, the other 13 Squad Captains excluding the 1st Squad's materialized in the battlefield.

Her eyes were still fastened on the rift where Aizen and Kagami retreated after the arrival of their powerful allies. Her heart left like breaking but not because of the stolen kiss… but because of what happened before that… because of what he said. Even with his marine green eyes looking into hers as he asked if she's okay, she couldn't bring herself to completely snap back to reality. Her mind always going back to that moment Kagami revealed another of her dark secret.

Unconsciously, she grabbed his haori and looked into his eyes. "Shiro-kun, I have something to tell you…"

"By the Captain-Commander's orders, we are to bring Hinamori fuku-taicho back to Soul Society," the 6th Squad Captain, Byakuya, spoke for the rest.

******

All of the 13 Squad Captains and their vice captains assembled in the hall as the oldest and the most powerful captain began to speak. "Hinamori fuku-taicho, come forward,"

Her body felt stiff as a board as she heard the Captain Yamamoto call her name. Summoning all of her confidence, Hinamori stepped forward. Everyone's gaze fixed on her.

"All of the charges against you were proven false; therefore, I lift the punishment placed upon you. Now that we have proven that Kagami Zero is in the same league with Aizen, the same order will be placed," his voice was loud and clear. It echoed throughout the large room and most importantly, it was printed on everyone's resolution. "I don't care by what means, I want them either captured or dead,"

The halls double doors burst open. A sole figure walked in uninvited, his gaze fell on no one but the Captain-Commander's. No one would even as much as make a sound, especially when the 1st Squad Captain is talking but this person waltzed in like he was the high lord. There was only one person... one organization… able to act this rudely and get away with it alive, the Central Room 46.

"On behalf of everyone in Central Room 46, we would like you to hand over Hinamori fuku-taicho for protection," this person was not a member of the Central Room 46 but he was ordered to represent them. Bestowed with the highest honor, he only did as he was told and he did it flawlessly. Yamamoto's eyes narrowed dangerously as this person began to approach him fearlessly.

"What did you say?!" Ichigo as well as Hisugaya were the first to react by stepping in his way and gripping their swords, the others followed as well. Not only did this person so rudely enter the room uninvited, he dared to spit on the 13 Squad's pride by taking the 5th Squad Vice Captain for protection. Clearly, trying to point out that their protection is way better than the 13 Squad's.

"Kurosaki-taicho, HIstugaya-taicho, please stop it," her eyes were on the floor as she continued. "The orders of Central Room 46 are absolute. If you were to betray it, a meaningless war will happen between those with the Central Room 46 and those with the 13 Squads. I don't want anyone dying for me,"

"Wise choice," the arrogant representative flashed an arrogant smirk, knowing his victory.

"Iie (No), you will remain here Hinamori fuku-taicho," he proclaimed as he hit the wooden floor with the tip of his staff.

"Yamamoto-taicho… "Hinamori was moved but she feared for the worst especially when she's the cause of this.

"Do you know what the consequences of your actions will be, Captain-Commander?" he spat his title so rudely, making the other captains ready to chop his head off. The Central Room's representative flew out of the hall with just a sharp glare from the old Captain.

"Both Aizen and Kagami want something from you and apparently, even Central Room 46 is curious about what it was that's why they want you in their hands. So from now on, Hinamori fuku-taicho will be under my protection," Everyone in the room was taken by surprise. In the history of the Soul Society there was no one to whom the 1st Squad was entitled to protect, not until now.

Little Falcon: read and review please…