Wow. It's been a while since I even looked at this. I've been so busy with my other stuff... so sorry guys!

If anyone has read anything else I've written, then you'll know that this story probably seems a bit out of style from the stuff I usually do. But it is fun to write, and I will try and get this finished now. Please enjoy!

There was no captain's meeting that day. Instead, shinigami of all ranks gathered at Squad Five to pay their respects to the captain we had all so admired.

Naturally, suspicions were immediately heaped upon the ryoka, and the search for them was stepped up. Around noon, we received a hell butterfly informing us that the ryoka were now wanted for questioning over the death of Aizen Sousuke, not only with the invasion of the Seireitei.

Given that Hitsugaya-taichou had been witness to the unpleasant scene of the morning, he himself volunteered to search through Captain Aizen's belongings, in order to establish any possible motives behind his death.

Aizen's room was perfectly fitting for him: neat, organised, but also pleasant and warm. Despite never having had much direct contact with the Squad Five captain, I could not help but feel a sense of loss and sadness as my captain and I searched the desk.

Seireitei has lost one of it's finest captains, I thought sadly as I studied the picture of Squad Five, which took pride of place upon Aizen's desk.

As I was going through the topmost drawer, I happened upon something that seemed quite out of place. On the top of a stack of forms sat a neat white envelope, sealed with wax and marked with the Squad Five seal. Written on the front, in a script that was definitely Aizen's, was simply written: 'For Momo.'

'Captain,' I broke the silence and turned to him, letter in hand, 'look at this...'

He stared and took the envelope from my hand.

'For Momo?' he questioned, 'but why…'

Hitsugaya-taichou stared at the letter, a bemused expression on his young face.

'Why would Aizen write a letter to Momo, when surely whatever he wanted to say to her could have been done face to face?' he muttered.

'I have no idea,' I said, and indeed I was genuinely perplexed by this new development.

He turned the letter over in his hands, examining carefully the seal and the writing. After several minutes he indicated for me to take a seat, and began pacing the room. As he did so he spoke, seemingly to himself.

'From what I am able to observe, this letter is genuine. It carries the Squad Five emblem, and although I cannot be wholly certain, I am confident that this is Aizen Sousuke's handwriting…'

He paused and tapped his chin, deep in thought. I said nothing, willing him to continue.

'It seems to me,' he began, slowly and deliberately, as though trying to justify this to himself, 'that the sequence of events is as follows. Aizen and Ichimaru exchange threats during a captain's meeting, overheard only by myself. Shortly after, the Seireitei is invaded by the same ryoka whom Ichimaru failed to apprehend. These ryoka injure several, including the lieutenant of Squad Six. The next morning – this morning, in fact - Aizen is discovered murdered, by his own lieutenant. Coincidentally, Ichimaru is also present. Momo, perhaps acting on the suspicions I had raised to her the night before, attacks him, but is halted by the lieutenant of Squad Three. Both are arrested and taken to their respective holding cells. Matsumoto, have I missed anything?'

'I believe not, sir. Please continue.'

'And now we have this letter…' he held it up, 'why would Aizen write a letter to his lieutenant, who is able to speak with on a daily basis? The purpose of writing a letter is to communicate with those we cannot speak to face-to-face.'

He twirled the letter in his hands, gazing at it.

'I can only conclude that this letter was written as a precautionary measure, should Aizen, for some reason, be unable to speak with Momo.'

I raised an eyebrow.

'Are you saying then, captain,' I began tentatively, 'that you believe Aizen to have written this letter knowing that he was going to die?'

'I cannot be certain,' he admitted, 'but it would seem so. After all, why else would he leave this message for her? Perhaps it contains the motives of his killer. Perhaps Aizen had uncovered some sort of crime and was intending to reveal it. We shall have to ask Momo once she has read it.'

I gasped, which earned me a hard stare.

'Captain… given the circumstances, are you sure that is wise? To withhold such evidence? It could prove vital in an instance such as this. Do you really think it is the best idea to let Momo read it before the other captains?'

He sighed and looked sadly at the letter in his hands.

'I do not know if it is the wisest idea, Matsumoto,' he said, his voice low and sad, 'but I believe it is the decision that Captain Aizen would have made under the circumstances.'

I had nothing to say to this. Indeed, my captain looked so sad that I felt I might burst into tears.

'Captain…' I began, feeling as though I should offer my support to him in such a time, 'captain, if you wish, I can take that letter to Hinamori-san now. That way we will lose as little time as possible with the investigation. I do not mind.'

He was startled out his thoughts, and offered me a rare, but very much appreciated, smile.

'Thank you, Matsumoto.'

I took the letter from his outstretched hand, and made my way towards the door.

'Matsumoto-'

I turned; 'yes sir?'

'Keep this to yourself,' he said, and his face was full of worry, 'do not let anyone else see this letter. It is for Momo's eyes only. Do not speak of it to anyone, not even those you believe to be your friends; no matter how trustworthy you believe them to be. I want you to take the letter and then return to the office at once. It is quite clear to me that there is someone very dangerous amongst the Gotei Thirteen. Be careful.'

I was touched by his concern for my well-fare, but also very alarmed at the graveness in his voice.

'Don't worry, captain,' I replied, far more seriously than I would have normally, 'I shall be fine.'

'Good,' he turned back to the room, 'oh, Matsumoto…'

'Yes sir?'

'Don't think that this means you wont be getting any paperwork when you get back.'

Reviews are very appreciated (I whore myself out for them, ya see)

xPosionedCandyx