CHAPTER 10: Challenge – Final Tournament


Thanks to all those who reviewed!

Author's notes: Okay, big skip but what the hey, this is the tournament that actually matters, the other two were basically made for this one. Beware of drama, lots and lots of drama. I'm very dramatic right now.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Bleach, manga or anime.


PART TEN


By the time the second tournament was over, there were only twelve participants going onto the final tournament. Their skills, however, was kept a secret – only the judges and their captains knew what their speciality was. And it was to remain like so. Now all was left was their invitation to challenge a captain of another squad. The invitation could be rejected, provided the reason was acceptable, unless it was personally signed by Master Yamamoto – which was exactly what Hitsugaya received.

It was an odd invitation:

To the Captain of the Tenth Division, Hitsugaya Toshiro:

I,Shinzaburo Michio, hereby request a controlled combat with you in the participating presence of fifth division vice-captain, Hinamori Momo.

Hitsugaya was taken aback at first. Next he found himself storming off see Master Yamamoto to withdraw his signature.


"But why sir? This tournament is specifically the component against a captain, not the component against a captain and a vice-captain. If I am to fight then so be it but I am entirely against Hinamori-fukutaichou participating in this."

"I understand your concerns, young Hitsugaya, but Shinzaburo has come to me personally to explain his request and it sounded reasonable enough for me to give him my consent. Remember, this is a controlled tournament, she will not be hurt."

"But…" He was cut off.

"My decision still stands, it will not be altered." He said firmly, clearly conveying to Hitsugaya that this is the end of this discussion. Hitsugaya hung his head in submission.

"Yes, sir" he said, giving a slight bow before walking out of the room.


"Shiro-chan, did you get an invitation to a challenge?" She asked him.

"Yeah." He replied grimly, handing the invite over to her. Her eyes went wide as she read it.

"Why do I have to be in it? Isn't this a fight against captains? And Yamamoto-sama even signed it!" She asked, looking frantically at him.

"I don't know why they want you in it. But I'm going to make damn sure that you won't get hurt." He assured her, his eyes filled with determination.


.

The day of the tournament finally dawned on them. Captains, vice-captains and other shinigamis filled the mega-stadium. In the middle of the stadium stood Hitsugaya, Hinamori and Shinzaburo. At the umpire's call, Shinzaburo bowed to Hitsugaya. At the second call, Shinzaburo and Hinamori bowed to each other. The entire stadium became dead quiet for the third call, which would begin the combat.

The call was made. In a flash Shinzaburo took out his zanpakuto and held it horizontally. "Possess" He commanded. His soul slayer became a sabre of blue. "Soujuumaru." The sword pulsed once, twice. On the third time, the entire stadium was blinded by its white light. It lasted only for a split second.

"What the?" gasped Hitsugaya. What is his skill? It's obviously not diversion by blinding the opponent, like Tousen's skill. So what is it?

"MOVE, Hitsugaya!" screamed Hinamori. Hitsugaya moved just in time to dodge a hit from Hinamori.

"Hinamori! What are you doing!" He yelled, shocked. Not again, he couldn't this again. Hinamori's tears ran freely, her eyes conveying shock and confusion, but other than from that her face was just like a mask.

She moved to strike at him continuously. Why am I doing this? Why can't I control myself! Shiro-chan! Gomen ne, again I…

Her attacks were fast and everywhere. All Hitsugaya could do was block them. He took a glance behind Hinamori to see Shinzaburo standing there, a serious expression on his face. I have to get to him to stop this, he thought as he blocked and dodged Hinamori, but how?

Clash. His sword hit against Hinamori's and he pushed it sideways with all his strength. Hinamori slid away from him. He quickly passed her, aiming for Shinzaburo.

"HAJIKE!" Yelled Hinamori, releasing her shikai. Hitsugaya quickly moved to the side to dodge her energy ball. Wha… He can even force them to use their shikai! Hitsugaya thought, shocked. The slight diversion was all that was needed. In a split second, Hinamori was in front of Hitsugaya, attacking him endlessly with her sword, blocking any path he had to Shinzaburo. Damn it! I can't get past Hinamori without hurting her. And I can't release my shikai - it's too dangerous with her so close to me. He thought desperately, frantic to think of a solution that wouldn't involve hurting her.

Hitsugaya quickly leaped back a few spaces.

"HYOURINMARU!" He yelled out as he landed, thinking his command. The entire stadium suddenly dropped massively in its temperature – so much that it filled up with so much fog that no one could see.

Shinzaburo looked around frantically. Damn it! Suddenly he felt a sharp blade pressed against his neck. The fog disappeared as quickly as it appeared, revealing Hitsugaya standing behind Shinzaburo with Hyourinmaru's blade at his throat.

"It's over, Shinzaburo." He said loudly and icily. He leaned in closer to him and whispered, "If you use Hinamori to get to me ever again, for any reason, I will kill you." As soon as the adjudicator announced the end of the combat, Hitsugaya sheathed his soul slayer quickly and rushed to Hinamori, who was still standing there shocked. She had dropped her sword and was now staring frantically at her hands. Hitsugaya stopped a few steps in front of her then approached her slowly.

"Hinamori" He said softly. She was on the verge of crying but was trying hard not to. When she looked up and saw him though, her barrier shattered and she broke down. He caught her as she fell, pulling her into a hug instead, comforting her with whispered words as she scrunched the front of his shinigami clothes, sobbing uncontrollably into the curve of his neck.

The whole stadium was quiet - all eyes were on the distressed vice-captain. Forcing Hinamori to raise her sword against taichou again is too much for her to handle. Thought Rangiku as she watched the two.

Seeing as Hinamori was in no state to walk and not wanting to further subject her to the prying eyes of the audience, Hitsugaya swept her up into his arms in one smooth movement. Her body was small and fragile against his, and he could still feel her trembling, causing him to hold her tighter and closer to him as he left the stadium.


.

The sun was about to set, splashing an orangey-red tinge on the sky as it slowly retreated for the day.

In the living quarters of the tenth squad captain, a broken girl laid in between the blankets, asleep. Next to her was a young captain, sitting with his arms crossed protectively at his chest. He neither flinched nor moved, he just sat there – guarding her, observing her – ready to be there if she ever needed him.

A soft knock on the door diverted his gaze from the sleeping form in front of him to the door.

"Come in" He called out softly, as to not wake the girl. Matsumoto walked in, carrying a tray of food with her. She greeted her captain with a nod then placed the tray on the table.

"Thank you, Matsumoto" he said softly, truly grateful for her help. Matsumoto nodded again in acceptance then sat down next to Hinamori's sleeping form.

"How is she doing?" she asked, looking worriedly at her friend.

"I don't know." He admitted, looking down. "She cried herself to sleep. Nothing I said seemed to have helped."

"I'm sure it did. You just need to give her time. Perhaps after she wakes up she would be feeling better." She said in an assuring tone.

"How's the division doing?" he asked.

"Don't worry about that, I have that under control."

"Thank you, Matsumoto."

"No need for that. What's a vice-captain for?" she said with a smile as she got up to leave. A ghost of a smile appeared on Hitsugaya's lips.

"If there's anything you want me to do, I'll be in my office after the meeting." Hitsugaya nodded. With that she left the room. Hitsugaya returned his gaze to Hinamori.


.

The meeting took place just after dinner with all the captains, sans Hitsugaya, and their respective vice-captains, sans Hinamori. They discussed who they would consider to be the top three winners.

"Shinzaburo Michio can be considered an asset to Gotei-13. It would be extremely helpful in the war with Aizen if his bankai can manipulate the enemy's armies." Brought out Master Yamamoto. Ichigo and Renji scoffed.

"Is there something you'd like to add, Abarai Renji and Kurosaki Ichigo?"

"I think his skills are too deceptive, like Aizen's. It could work against us in the future." Said Ichigo, still a bit sour about what he did to his vice-captain. Renji nodded feverishly in agreement. Byakuya looked away, embarrassed at Renji's behaviour.

"Yes, but unlike Aizen, we can tell when people are being controlled. He will serve to be a great asset in the war." There was silence in the room. Taichou's not going to be very happy about this. Thought Matsumoto.

"It is decided then, Shinzaburo Michio shall be one of the three."

"Besides him, there was only one other that performed exceptionally well, seeing as none of the vice-captains participated - Fukushima Hoshiko." Murmurs of agreement erupted softly around the room.

"Yes, so be it then. She will be the another one of the three. However, that leaves us one short."

"Renji has already achieved his bankai." Stated Ichigo. Renji turned slightly red as he looked at the floor.

"Byakuya, what would you propose?" asked Master Yamamoto.

"It is up to Renji, sir. Though I have no objections."

"Do you believe that he is capable of being a captain at this stage?" Byakuya seemed to think for a brief moment, then he replied:

"Yes, though it goes without saying that some practice is needed." Renji stared at his captain, it was by far the biggest compliment he had, and would ever get, from him.

"Renji, do you accept?" asked Yamamoto.

"Well, if captain has faith in me" he grinned broadly and scratched the back of his head. Byakuya cringed inwardly. "Yes, I accept."

"So be it. The bankai training will assume the day after tomorrow. Since Renji has already achieved bankai, I will now promote him to the level of captain and announce him as Captain of the Ninth Division in place of the traitor, Kaname Tousen. Further to that, I will now defer the announcement of the captains-in-training until after the war. Until then, Urahara Kisuke and Kurosaki Ichigo will continue to be the captains of their respective squads." He looked at Renji, "Congratulations, Abarai Renji. Are there any other questions?"

Silence.

"Meeting closed. All is dismissed." Everyone moved to congratulate Renji on his promotion.


The room eventually emptied out. Renji followed the last person out and was shocked to find his former captain waiting for him outside.

"Congratulations, Renji." He said, his voice still as smooth and emotionless as ever.

"Maa, thank you, taichou." Renji replied sheepishly, scratching his head. Byakuya nodded in acknowledgement.

Renji rambled on, "Can't wait to tell Rukia!" He exclaimed, about to run off when he suddenly remembered the situation. A glimmer of sadness passed on Byakuya's face, but it disappeared so fast that Renji wasn't sure if he had imagined it. He nodded again and walked off.

Sweat poured down Renji's face. Suddenly an arm swung around his shoulder.

"Yo, nice one, Abarai-taichou." Mocked Ichigo. Renji glared at him.

"It was a habit, okay?" Renji defended. Ichigo sighed.

"I wished she was here too, Renji." The two started to walk in silence.


.

"Hinamori, Hinamori!" said Hitsugaya repetitively, trying to hold her down. Hinamori was thrashing around frantically in her sleep, her clothes was drenched in sweat.

"No, I don't want to! I can't!" She screamed over and over again. Hitsugaya picked her up and shook her forcefully.

"HINAMORI!" He yelled, successfully awakening her. Her eyes flung open. She saw his worried face looking down at her.

"Shiro-chan?" she coughed, her voice was weak and fragile. He had to strain to hear her. He held her close to him.

"Yes, I'm here." He reassured her.

A few moments later, Hinamori had calmed down. She sat there sipping a cup of tea. There was a knock at the door and Matsumoto entered, carrying with her a bundle of clothes. She set the clothes down next to Hinamori, gave her a quick hug then exited.

"Have a bath first, you'll feel better once you're all refreshed." Suggested Hitsugaya.


She did feel refreshed and a little better after she had a bath. She knelt down besides him on the floor.

They were silent for a while.

After a moment, Hinamori stood up and walked towards the open window. She leaned against one side and hugged herself, looking at the moon. Hitsugaya got up and walked towards her. He stood about a metre behind her. Hinamori bit her lip then said quietly,

"Maybe we shouldn't be together anymore." Her voice barely above a whisper.

"What…did you say?" He whispered, he didn't want to believe what he just heard.

She turned around to look at him, tears threatened to fall but he could still see the determination in her eyes. She hesitated before she began again.

"I said that maybe we …" he cut her off.

"Don't." A tear fell down her face when she saw how hurt he was. She moved to explain.

"I'm only a liability to you. I put you in too much danger too many times. You take chances to protect me all the time and that's …"

"I take chances to protect you because I love you." He said, as exasperated as he possibly could.

"That's why people can use me to get to you and they do! It's already been done twice!" She exclaimed, tears falling freely now. "Aizen was right about one thing – your love for me can kill you."

"That's my decision."

"Not if I have any part in it. How would you think I'd feel if something happened to you? Breaking up is the easiest way, you could move on. You'd be safer that way." Hitsugaya scoffed. He couldn't believe his ears but he sure as hell wasn't going to take any of this.

He walked right up to her and wrapped his arms around her. She struggled frantically to free herself but Hitsugaya was too strong. She did manage to move around so that her back was facing him though. Hitsugaya leaned in and rested his head near the curve of her neck.

"Listen to me Momo, breaking up would do nothing. I am not going to wake up one day and stop caring about you - that will never happen. I will always care about you. But if this is what you really want, if you really believe that one day you can wake up and stop caring about me then okay, let's break up. But only if you stop caring because I sure as hell won't … ever… stop…loving you." he turned her around and planted a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. Then he quickly turned and left for the door. He paused when he reached it.

"Tell me tomorrow what your decision is." He said, still facing the door. With that he left. Hinamori watched him leave and then slumped against the wall.

Is it really not safer if we break up? She thought, but if we break up, he may slowly become less protective of me and then risk less. If so, should I lie to him tomorrow and tell him that I don't want to be with him? What shall I do?


Hitsugaya was grateful for the new pile of paperwork on his desk. It would serve as a slight distraction and help him last throughout the night.

After a while he put his pen down and slumped back on his chair, unable to concentrate on his work.

He closed his eyes, a dull pain overwhelming him. Please don't leave me Hinamori. He begged inwardly.

Tonight would definitely be one of the longest nights of his life.


END OF PART TEN


Next: Chapter 11: Lost Time

Lol, there is a purpose for this drama, I swear!

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