THE BALL (REWRITTEN) Read my AUTHOR'S NOTE.

It was the evening of the annual Shinigami (Death God) ball. Everybody in the academy could come, and everybody was required to come...especially vice-captains and captains. Hinamori wore a pretty light green dress, pink heels, the diamond necklace Hitsugaya gave her, and long elbow-length, white gloves.

Her hair was curled at the ends and pulled back into a ponytail with a few white flowers for decoration and a silver butterfly hair barrett. The ball never failed to cheer her up...even though she never danced...just sat around in the lounge corner. People came to talk to her once in a while, but mostly nobody noticed her.

Hinamori stood up and briskly walked out of her office and to the ballroom and dining room reserved for this occassion. She blended in easily. What she was wearing was very plain unlike other girls who wore shocking rainbow dresses or huge, red bows, but she didn't mind. Being singled out was not a good thing.

When she got to the ballroom, she made a beeline toward the plush sofas in the far right corner. She did it as quickly as she could an wasn't noticed. Heaving a sigh, she flopped down on a couch. Today, Hinamori would much rather be in her office. She looked at the dazzling chandeliers on the ceiling and the sparkling floor tiles on the floor.

They looked fancy and very fake. Hinamori sank lower into the couch as Kira passed by. She didn't like dancing much even though people said she was very good at it. She desperately hoped that they wouldn't have a captain dancing with vice-captain thing like last year. She had to dance wtih Byakuya...and it was very embarrassing because he was so aristocratic like in hius dancing.

Hinamori sank even lower in her seat as she heard the bell calling all captains and vice-captains ring. She heard the scuffling of feet stop as the captains and vice-captains headed toward the raised platform. Hinamori tried to disappear.

"Where's Vice-Captain Momo?"

Hinamori completely hid on the sofa.

"I have a pretty good idea," a firm voice said, and Hinamori blushed. Hitsugaya knew where she hid every ball.

No where to go now, she thought as Hitsugaya walked over and looked her in the eye.

"Trying to hide?"

Hinamori shook her head and followed him to the raised platform. Her fate was decided now. There was going to be a vice-captain and captain dance...and she was going to completely embarrass herself like last time.

"There will be a vice-captain and captain dance...but this time you shall dance with your division's captain."

"I can go then," Hinamori said hopefully. Their division had no captain.

"No. You shall either dance with Izuru (Kira) or Shuuhei (Hisiga)."

At this moment HItsugaya's hand tightened into a fist behind his back. He suspected Kira of something and Hisiga was a very rough person. Also...he admitted that he was a bit jealous...okay maybe a lot jealous.

Before Hinamori could say anything the light flickered and then went out. Hinamori saw only blackness and heard the painicked screams of some female Shinigami's. My soul slayer's at the lounge! Groping her way off the raised platform, she used her spirit power to avoid objects as she went to the lounge. When she got there, Hinamori screamed.

The lights went back on, and Hitsugaya started as Hinamori screamed. He did his best to compose himself as some vice-captains went to Hinamori and asked what was wrong. They quickly scurried back and bowed to the oldest and most powerfullest captain, Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni, (the old guy in the anime and manga. the one with the long beard.).

"First Division Captain!" they said in unision. "Hinamori Momo's soul slayer was stolen."

Shocked murmured went through the crowd and people ran off to check on their soul slayers.

"How did this happen?"

"Hinamori Momo states that it must have happened when the lights went out."

"Have any other soul slayers been stolen?"

"No Taicho!" (Captain)

"Then it looks like the person is targeting Vice Captain Momo. We must have a constant guard."

Hitsugaya looked at Hinamori's shocked expression and felt a surge of anger. He couldn't be a guard, but he could make sure the guards did their duty well. He would make sure of it.