With four divisions currently being run by lieutenants it was necessary to hold a lieutenants meeting soon after the conclusion of the captains meeting. Sasakibe of the First quickly explained the situation, directing those lieutenants without Captains currently able to coordinate their division searches to report to Soifon for direction.

It would have been a very quick meeting if Hinamori Momo had not turned earnest eyes on Hisagi and said, "Hisagi-san, is there really nothing you can tell us to help us find Yoruichi-sama? If she was with you then--"

Hisagi nearly jumped out of his skin, and then he stared at her like she'd accused him of some serious crime. Across from him, Lieutenant Ise's eyes flashed, and Kira, noticing both, jumped in to try to diffuse the situation. "What do you mean, Hinamori? You were with us, too, and she left with you. Shouldn't you know more than we do?"

"Captain Soifon told me Hisagi-san was the last person to see Yoruichi-sama," Hinamori answered. "She told me they went walking in a park together."

"It's a shortcut!" Hisagi burst out and promptly wished he hadn't because every last person at the table was now staring at him. And his loving wife looked like she wanted to cut his throat.

"Nah," Yachiru said into the silence. "No way Catgirl'd give Spikey the time of day--too bad 'cause Nana'd murder him. Spiky was probably so drunk Catgirl was afraid he'd fall in a ditch if she didn't walk him home. Bet Spikey doesn't even remember."

"I remember--" Hisagi began defensively. Then, once again wondered why he hadn't kept his mouth shut as all eyes returned to him. "I don't remember much because I was knocked out, but I do remember that someone I knew, a woman, joined us in the garden. I am doing my best to try to remember who she was because I'm pretty sure, whoever she was, she had something to do with Yoruichi disappearing."

"Someone you know?" Kaien demanded. "Someone in the Gotei?"

"But that would be--that would mean--" Kira bit back the words.

"Someone in the Gotei is still working for Aizen," Renji said, barely holding back his anger. "Someone we know is on his side."

"If we can trust Hisagi-kun's memory," Kaien said. "I'm sorry, but I've seen how drunk you've been getting. I don't think we can be sure of anything you think you remember."

Hisagi wanted to argue, but if he was completely honest he wasn't sure he could trust his memory either. For all he knew he was remembering Yoruichi and Hinamori laughing at him earlier in the evening, rather than being laughed at in the park--but, no, that phrase, that, 'I'm sorry, Hisagi-san,' he could remember the sudden confusion and fear it inspired, just before he lost consciousness. "I understand, Shiba-san, but I do remember. I know there was a woman involved, and I know she was someone I trusted."

He looked over the familiar faces, seeing doubt and even suspicion in a few of the eyes. Even Nanao looked uncertain. That wouldn't do. She, at least, had to believe him. "Nemu-san," he said turning to the lieutenant beside Nanao. "Does Captain Kurotsuchi have some way he could help me get back the memories of that night?"

Nemu blinked slowly, thinking carefully before answering. "It is possible; we have developed many processes to retrieve lost memories, however it is likely that, as you were knocked unconscious, your brain did not convert those memories to long-term storage and so they are lost forever, much like a dream upon waking."

"So I'm never going to remember who it was?"

"I would not say that," Nemu answered. "You do have some memories of what happened. We may be able to help you find more. I would recommend you first try to allow them to return naturally; many people find our methods discomforting."

"It doesn't matter," Hisagi answered. "I have to remember. I can--"

"You can give it a few days," Nanao interrupted, sharply. "More will probably come back to you with time, and it may not even be necessary. With the entire Gotei looking, we can hardly fail to locate Yoruichi-sama within the next day or two--is that everything, Sasakibe-san? We should get to work immediately if possible."

"Of course," the gray-haired lieutenant agreed. "Everyone is dismissed. Lieutenants Kira, Shiba, Hinamori, and Hisagi, you will all be expected at the Second."

Hinamori lingered behind with Kira to see how Renji was doing. They were both very concerned about their old school friend.

Renji was quick to shrug off their worries. "We've already saved her once, right?" he asked with a smile. "Captain Kuchiki's on our side this time so it should be easy."

"I'm sure we will get her back," Kira said.

"We will," Hinamori agreed. Then she frowned. "Renji, you know Hisagi-san pretty well, don't you?"

Renji shrugged. "I guess so. Why?"

"It's just," Hinamori's eyes dropped and a worried frown touched her lips. "A friend of mine in the Second told me Captain Soifon thinks Hisagi-san is working for Aizen--he always really admired his captain, and it does kind of make sense that he would follow him and join Aizen, too, doesn't it? At least Captain Soifon thinks so. She wanted to do a full interrogation, but Captain Kyoraku stopped her, because Hisagi-san, he's a Kyoraku now, you know? So they didn't get to really question him."

Both Kira and Renji now shared her worried expression. "But Hisagi-san, he said he wanted to go to Captain Kurotsuchi to get his memory back, Renji argued. "No one would do that unless they really, really wanted to remember. There's no way you would risk it if you were faking."

"Unless he knew Lieutenant Ise would stop him," Hinamori said. "She always does if she can, when he offers to do something risky."

Kira's frown deepened. "I don't like this."

"It's like we can't trust anyone," Renji agreed. "If Hisagi-san--"

"We have each other," Hinamori said, firmly. "Even if we don't have anyone else, we know we can trust each other, right?"

"Right!" Kira agreed immediately.

Renji looked from one to the other of his two oldest school friends. They'd been on opposite sides of the last fight, but everything had been worked out. He knew them. The only person in the Gotei he'd known longer was Rukia. He nodded. "Right."