Sakura02: Bah, History paper. I can't wait to be done with stupid Texas History. Just two more weeks, then a week finals, and then we're off to Dallas to see Breaking Benjamin and Nickelback and Shinedown! Hang in there!

toshiro'sgurl: Unfortunately, I can't update any faster than this. I have nine other stories besides this one that I'm working on plus my own original novel. I do update this story every other Wednesday though so hopefully that will be enough.

Aiedail's Scepter: Don't get me wrong; I totally freaked out when the chapter happened and I'm still mad because we don't know whether Hitsugaya is okay or not. As for Momo, I liked her when she first showed up because I thought it was cute how she had a crush on her captain and everything. After Aizen "died", though, she just started annoying me. But yes, I do believe they'll all need lots of time on the therapy couch after this is all over.

Black-chan: No, the names of the Arrancar are the ones Kubo-sensei gave them.

Thank you: Arcee-chan, Ray-nee-chan, Illidan the Half Demon, XangelwingsXX, Sheiri, Sayonara Yasashii Akumu, chakashi, Syco's Path, reina de los siete mares, Waterbluegirl1234, and Scarlette Shizuru for reviewing!

"Kira, what're you gonna do about the steel feathers of doom?" Hitomi asked as she remained hidden behind Kira.

"Don't worry, Hitomi." Kira said, keeping his eyes trained on Aguila. "They may be steel feathers, but they're still feathers. Just hold onto me. I won't let anything happen to you."

Hitomi opened her mouth to question him, but quickly shut it as Kira sent a whirlwind at Aguila. She barely had time to grab his hand before he made a hole in the building and leapt down. She kept a firm grip on his hand to ensure they she didn't lose him. When steel feathers began piercing through the building, she covered her head with her free arm. "What're you gonna do, Kira? Maybe I…"

"No." Kira cut her off. "This is my battle. I won't let you fight it for me. You trust me, right?"

"Of course!" Hitomi nodded though she knew Kira couldn't see her. "I'll trust Kira with my life!"

"Good." He scooped her up into his arms and broke through one of the windows of the building. He dodged the feathers and used the poles that were sliced by the feathers to create a obstacle for Aguila.

Hitomi pulled herself up so Kira's arm was around her waist and she could see what was going on over his shoulder. Her eyes widened and she began smacking Kira's shoulder repeatedly. "Kira! Kira! He's doing something weird!"

"Stop hitting me, Hitomi." Kira grit out. He spun around to see what was going on a raised an eyebrow when he saw that Aguila had drawn a strange pattern on his chest. "What's he doing?" He muttered as blood shot forth from the pattern.

"Whatever it is, it's creepy." Hitomi said softly. She clutched tighter to Kira's uniform. "I don't wanna go back, Kira."

Kira smiled warily down at her though his eyes continued to flicker over to Aguila. "You won't. I won't let them take you away."

Hitomi smiled briefly before her eyes widened. "Kira!" She yelped as Kira shoved her off to the far side of the building. She couldn't see where he was through the smoke caused by the destroyed building. "Kira!" She screamed.

Aguila turned to her and held his hand out. "Now, Hitomi-hime, I want you to come quietly with me like a good girl."

"Don't take a step closer to her." Kira hissed from behind Aguila's back. He had Wabisuke hooked onto one of Aguila's wings. "I should actually thank you for that attack. My sword is useless on long range opponents."

Hitomi's eyes lit up and she grinned. "Wabisuke-san saves the day!" She crowed. She flinched as Aguila crashed down through the building due to how heavy his wing was. She peered over the side and then looked at Kira, a bright smile on her face. "Thank you, Kira."

Kira nodded to her. "Stay here." He sighed as he leapt down and saw Hitomi was following him. "Can't you listen to your elders for once?"

"Nope." Hitomi landed gracefully beside him. She hung back as Kira approached a shocked Aguila. She shifted nervously from foot to foot. "Kira, can you end it quickly? Don't make him suffer or anything."

Kira glanced over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow at the child. He said nothing to her and simply turned back to Aguila. "My sword doubles the weight of anything it touches. The second touches doubles that and the third doubles that. I hit your wings about four times so it'll be impossible for you to fly."

Aguila snarled at him. "That's a dirty trick. What kind of warrior are you?! Hitomi-hime, how could stand to be around such cowards!?"

Hitomi flinched and backed away. "Kira isn't it a coward!" She yelled back.

"It's all right, Hitomi-hime." He turned his attention back to Aguila. "I am from the third division. Our flower, the marigold, represents despair and that is what we pride ourselves on. War is not heroic or exciting. War is full of despair, darkness, sorrow, and gloom. War is not something a child should have to see and yet you, a warrior, brought Hitomi-hime to this place. If that is what a warrior does, I have no desire to understand nor be one. My Zanpaktou embodies this best by making its opponents be overcome by the weight and so they bow their heads, as if apologizing. Hitomi, you might want to look away."

Hitomi looked away just a moment before hearing a squawk of pain and then the sound of a sword slicing through something. She was about to lift her head up when she was enveloped in somebody's arms with her head buried in their chest. "Kira?"

"I don't want you to see it." Kira whispered. "You shouldn't even have to be here. You shouldn't even be involved in this."

Hitomi wrapped her tiny arms around Kira's thin frame. She lifted her head and smiled up at him. "It's okay. I want to be here. I want to help protect everyone. Even if I'm not very useful and can't fight as good as you guys, even if it's just a little, I want to help so we can all go home together."

Kira smiled down at her and stroked her hair. "What a good girl you are." He chuckled as Hitomi began fidgeting. "You're worried about Hisagi-san, aren't you?"

"Well, yeah!" Hitomi puffed her cheeks out. "It shouldn't take him this long to beat one stupid enemy. Maybe he's getting too old or too fat and can't fight as well."

Kira let out a barking laugh. "I hardly think that's the case. Go to him. I'll be fine." Kira reassured the little girl.

Hitomi stood on her tiptoes and kissed Kira's cheek. "Don't worry! I won't let anything happen to Shuuhei!" With, she flash stepped back towards where she had last seen Shuuhei.

Time to stop! Review please!