PART ELEVEN: LOST TIME
Thanks to all those who reviewed, especially those who review every time I update, I LOVE YOU PEOPLE!
Gives you cookies, chocolate, Hitsugaya, Hinamori, Byakuya, Yachiru…
Author's notes: Be assured that this series is going to have
a happy ending but for now… : gets shot :
And yes, Shinzaburo Michio and Fukushima Hoshiko are my characters.
Michio means strength of three thousand, his zanpakuto – Soujuumaru was derived from the word 'manipulation'. Hoshiko apparently means child of the stars (or star child).
Senkai-mon: Door leading from soul society to the living world and vice versa.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Bleach, manga or anime.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Thump thump, thump thump. His heart raced as he approached the room, each step becoming heavier and heavier as he came closer and closer. Finally he was at the door - he took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, then he quickly but gently slid the door open and walked in, taking care to close the door behind him as he entered.
Hinamori was already waiting for him. She stood by the window, facing him, a melancholy expression etched on her face.
"Have you decided?" He asked, his heart pounding the rapid beat of drums.
"Yes." She said softly but firmly. She looked down for a moment, feeling his expectant gaze, then she raised her gaze to meet his. She was hesitant to speak, closing her eyes momentarily as she did so.
"I have decided that we should not be together anymore." She said gently, her eyes pleading with him to understand. Hitsugaya felt his heart rip, it was too painful for him to speak so he remained silent.
"Say something!" She demanded, unable to bear neither his silence nor the absolute look of despair in his eyes. She felt like breaking down and telling him that she didn't mean any of it, that she was only doing it because she loved him and wanted to keep him safe. But she bit her trembling lip to withhold her tongue, her eyes strained up at the ceiling to hold back her tears.
"You don't want to be with me then?" He asked. She flinched at how vulnerable he sounded. She had never seen him like this. Hinamori tilted her head upwards to stop the tears from escaping her eyes.
"I don't want to be with you." She heard herself saying. Stop! It's not true, Shiro-chan. Don't believe it. She yelled desperately within herself, somehow wishing that maybe he could hear it. But the logical side of her remained stubborn and no other words came out.
"Is this what you really want?" He asked softly. She nodded, unable to say anything anymore. He looked so broken, he's not even arguing with her.
Clack. Clack. Clack. A distant sound of a wooden board being hit continuously rang throughout Seireitai. It meant that an emergency situation had arisen and everyone was expected to return to their respective divisions.
Neither Hitsugaya nor Hinamori moved. Hitsugaya hadn't even flinched at the emergency bell, seemingly oblivious to it. But Hinamori knew that he heard it, she was observing his every move – no matter how subtle they were.
He tried to mask the immense pain that he was feeling and looked at her again.
"So I guess this is it then." He said sadly. He gave her one more long gaze before stepping quietly out of the room, closing the door behind him. I'm sorry Hitsugaya-kun, but it's for your own good. She thought, tears falling freely and silently now as she watched him go.
.
"What's all this noise about?" asked a disheartened Hitsugaya.
"Taichou, you're here! Where the hell have you been? I've been looking all over for you! Never mind that now, there are a massive number of hollows that have been identified between the secret outer barrier and the normal protective barrier. They are expected to arrive in less then fifteen minutes now. We have been ordered to go to our designated positions, sir."
"What? Damn. Let's round up the division and get them there." He said, running towards the door. He stopped when he saw that Matsumoto was standing there looking amused at him. "What are you doing? We've only got less then fifteen minutes!"
"It's already done, sir. I took the initiative when I couldn't find you."
"Good. Let's get there at once."
What the hell! Gasped Rangiku as she looked up around the sky. About fifty hollows had just broken through their barrier. What's worse was that they were accompanied by at least fifteen Menos Grande sized hollows.
"Group two: take the north direction. Group three: take the north-east. Group four: take the east. Group five: take the south – east. Group six: take the south. Group seven – take the south west. Group eight: take the west. Group nine: take the north west. Remember to stay within your designated area, don't forget that the area outside your responsibility is covered by other divisions so just concentrate on eliminating the hollows in YOUR area! GO NOW!" commanded Hitsugaya.
"HAI, Taichou!"
"Group ten: you're on central guard. Matsumoto, your group comes with me!"
"Hai! Group one, follow captain!"
"Where are we going, taichou?" asked Matsumoto as she followed Hitsugaya.
"We're following Zaraki's defence plans, remember? Captains and their selected group will pursue the largest threats while the other groups will patrol their designated areas. We're aiming for one of the Manos Grandes-like hollows that are roaming free." Hitsugaya reminded her hastily.
They came in near distance with a giant hollow. Matsumoto saw Ichigo standing in front of it with his sword drawn. Hinamori was standing a few feet away, placing an arm out to stop the rest of her group from moving forward.
Matsumoto was about to go ahead to help them when Hitsugaya put out an arm to hold her back.
"Captain?"
"Leave them. There's another captain there, He will deal with it." He simply stated as he moved past them.
"But Hinamori…"
"She's Kurosaki's responsibility right now." He replied blatantly as he continued moving. Matsumoto stared curiously at her captain's back as she continued to follow him.
They reached an unguarded giant hollow. Hitsugaya unsheathed his sword and unleashed his shikai.
"Souten ni zase!" he yelled, calling forth the gigantic ice dragon. He aimed his sword towards the detested thing.
"I don't think I've studied your kind before." Said Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri as he looked at the giant hollow, tilting his head to one side in slight amusement.
"Kakimushire, Ashisogijizō." He commanded. His shikai successfully rendered the giant motionless and increased its receptivity of pain. Mayuri gleefully slashed at it.
"Jinteki Syakusetsu!" commanded Captain Soi Fong, "Suzumebachi."
"Chire, Senbonzakura."
…
"Excellent defence plans, Zaraki Kenpachi. Well done. However, we will need to strengthen them. It is my first presumption that Aizen sent this poor excuse of an army of hollows to force us to reveal our new defence system.
But this small gain will be his undoing.
I wonder if any of you other captains noticed but when Aizen sent his army of hollows, he unintentionally showed us a path in which we can reach him." He continued to explain his observations of how it could be managed to send an army of shinigamis to the land of the hollows.
"So this is how the plan will go. Divisions two, six, eight, ten and eleven will enter the land of the hollows. Division one, seven, twelve and thirteen will remain here to protect Soul Society. Division four shall remain here also. Division three, five and nine will go to the living world. While this is happening, the captains-in-training will continue the three-day-bankai program."
Yamamoto then proceeded to tell Ichigo what to do when he arrives at the living world.
"Is that clear, Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Yes, sir."
"Urahara, Renji?"
"Yes, sir." They confirmed their understanding.
"So be it then. This shall commence tomorrow at dawn."
.
Hitsugaya walked reluctantly with Matsumoto into the food hall. He really wasn't hungry but Matsumoto had insisted that he eat, seeing as how they were expected to go to war tomorrow.
On arriving, Hitsugaya saw Hinamori sitting next to Ichigo. They had two plates in front of them. He quickly walked to the other side of the room, hoping to get there before Ichigo saw them. It was too late.
"Oi! Hitsugaya, Matsumoto! Over here!" He yelled out, waving his hand up in the air frantically. Hinamori seemed to have melted into her chair. Left with no other choice now that they were seen, Hitsugaya grudgingly trailed after Matsumoto towards Ichigo and Hinamori's table.
Hitsugaya glared at Matsumoto's back when she chose, deliberately he might add, to sit in the chair facing Ichigo – leaving him to sit facing Momo. He sat down silently and grudgingly, trying hard to avoid looking at her. There was awkward silence at first. Ichigo looked at Matsumoto, who looked back at him and shrugged. He tilted his head towards Hinamori, suggesting something. Matsumoto cleared her throat.
"Err, Hinamori-chan, we need to get more food. Can you come with me for a moment please?" She asked nervously, smiling a plaster smile.
"Sure, Matsumoto-san." She replied, a little confused. The two vice-captains left, leaving their respective captains behind. Hitsugaya leaned back on his chair, his arms crossed in front of him.
"So, Hitsugaya, what's up with you and Hinamori?" He asked.
"…"
"Did you two have a fight?"
"…"
Ichigo sighed. He wasn't going to get anywhere with this. A moment of silence past between them, then to his surprise, Hitsugaya spoke.
"I need to ask a favour."
"So ask."
"I need you to make sure that Hinamori doesn't go to the living world."
"That's kinda hard, she is the vice-captain."
"It'll be safer for her here, even if Seireitai gets attacked. She feels too much pressure when she is somewhere unfamiliar to her, and when she's under too much pressure she'll usually act rashly. That would put her in too much danger, especially when everyone else there will be concentrating on fighting other hollows."
"Isn't that the same around here? If it gets attacked, then everyone will be off fighting other hollows."
"But she knows this place well, she can find help more readily and easily here. If she gets into trouble there, what will happen if she can't find the way back for help?" Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows, thinking for a moment.
"Okay, but you know she won't stay just because I told her to stay." Hitsugaya tapped his closed hands on his chin for a while then answered him.
"You will need to find a reason for her to stay on her own will. Also, don't tell her about me leaving for the hollow world. It might distract her." Ichigo nodded his agreement.
"Thank you."
The girls were coming back now, both holding a plate of food each. They set it down on the table and sat back down. Matsumoto started chatting with Ichigo about the living world, asking him all sorts of weird questions. Hitsugaya was grateful though, a silent diiner would be way too unbearable to him under these circumstances.
He reached out to pick up a piece of sushi with his chopsticks and stopped when he saw another pair of chopsticks holding onto the other end. How ironic, out of all the sushi there is on this plate, we had to pick the same one. He thought with an internal grunt.
Their eyes contacted with each other and both felt a jolt of pain. Hinamori quickly withdrew her hand to set her chopsticks down on her plate. She was not so hungry anymore. Hitsugaya collected his shattered pieces up quickly and, realising that he was still holding onto the piece of sushi, he picked it up and smoothly placed it onto her plate. He then proceeded to pick up another piece of sushi and ate it, looking at nothing else but his plate. Hinamori moved her gaze from Hitsugaya to the piece of sushi he placed on her plate and blinked back tears. She picked it up and ate it very slowly, as if to savour it.
After they finished eating, the four of them moved outside for a walk. Matsumoto and Ichigo were still chatting on, leaving Hinamori and Hitsugaya to lag on silently behind them. Suddenly Matsumoto and Ichigo started whispering to each other, then on a nod they suddenly ran off.
"O…Oi!" shouted Hitsugaya. Hinamori stared bewilded at the two as they disappeared around the corner. Hitsugaya was fuming. That Rangiku! He thought exasperatedly.
"I'll walk you to your room." Hitsugaya stated emotionlessly, walking off. Hinamori trailed slightly behind him.
The walk there was silent and awkward. Hitsugaya was deep in thought all the way. I wonder if I'll make it back, he thought, I wonder if this is the last time I'll ever see her again. Hinamori's voice broke his thoughts.
"Err, we are here. Thank you for walking me, Hitsugaya-taichou." She said politely, making him flinch inwardly at the formality. She looked at him for a moment then moved past him to step into her room.
He caught her wrist just as she was about to enter, causing her to turn back and look at him, confusion mixed with longing and hope on her face.
"I can't let you go…" He started, still holding on to her wrist.
She knew the moment he changed his mind.
"…without saying be careful." She gave a small smile and couldn't resist but lift her hand up to caress his face. His hands automatically went up to hold it there as he leaned into it. An unbearable sadness overwhelming them. She moved her arms around his neck and gave him a hug, then she quickly withdrew and walked inside her room, closing the door quickly but gently behind her.
Hitsugaya felt something wet drop onto his cheek and instinctively moved his hand to feel it. He rolled the wetness between his fingers.
"What a weird time to be raining." He said out loud to himself, then he walked away.
Ichigo stood on top of the roof with his arms folded protectively at his chest, watching Hitsugaya walk away. There was one thought in his head, what rain?
The morning of the next day dawned. The three designated divisions for the living world stood in front of the Senkai-mon. On the other side, another five divisions prepared to enter the hollow's world.
The Senkai-mon was about to open in fifteen minutes. At the same time the gateway opens, the path leading to the Hollows will also be cleared. This synchronising tactic bought time for the shinigamis to approach the hollow's world without being detected for a while.
Hinamori stood next to Ichigo in front of the gateway, fiddling nervously. She was a bit distracted from not being able to find Hitsugaya anywhere before coming here.
"He's not here." Said Ichigo, looking ahead.
"Huh?"
"Hitsugaya is not here. He is on another mission."
"What other mission?" she asked, shocked to find out about it so late.
"At the same time that this door opens, another gateway will be opened. It will lead them to the hollows."
"What!" she whispered, her eyes widening at every word.
"Divisions two, six, eight, ten and eleven were ordered to enter the world and try their best to destroy them."
"But it's too dangerous, there's an army of Menos up there!" she shouted.
"We still have half an hour." He informed her, "He's on the other side, near the quadrant." She looked at Ichigo, then looked at the gate.
"I'll be back as soon as I can." She said hastily, then she took off towards the direction of the other group.
I'm sorry Hitsugaya, I had to tell her. He looked in front of him as the gateway began to open. At least I kept the promise to keep her here. He had kept it from Hinamori that for now, the gateway can not be activated except by two captains. And right now, all captains remaining in Seireitai was specifically ordered by Master Yamamoto to not activate it. However, the shinigami wishing to return to Seireitai can still do so.
The gateway opened fully and the three divisions went through.
Hinamori was running frantically through Seireitai when she heard an undeniable sound of the barrier being broken through. She looked up to see shinigamis ascending some near distance ahead. Hinamori jumped onto the roof and started running towards them.
She looked around desperately for Hitsugaya and finally spotted him about a hundred metres up into the sky at an angle of fifty degrees above her.
"Hitsugaya-kun, Hitsugaya-kun!" She called out frenetically to no avail.
"HITSUGAYA-KUN!" she screamed out at the top of her lungs, dropping on her hands and knees from the force. Her scream echoed loudly throughout Seireitai.
Hitsugaya turned around abruptly in his spirit ball when he heard her scream his name. He looked down, his eyes searching frantically for her. He finally saw her and his heart leapt at the image.
Hitsugaya allowed a small smile to form on his face as he said softly,
"Good bye, bed-wetter Momo."
END OF CHAPTER ELEVEN
This series will end happily, I promise. : dodges stones and bullets :
Next: Chapter 12: War of the Three Worlds - Title is pretty self-explanatory.
I will most probably upload it with Chapter 13: Showdown: Total Disillusionment - Aizen's Bankai. Focused on three people: Hitsugaya, Byakuya & Ichigo.
Please read and review. AND THANKS HEAPS AGAIN FOR THOSE WHO DO! XD
