Commotion in Hell
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. It is the wonderful work of Kubo Tite and in no way can I compare to it.
"Hitsugaya-taichou is missing!"
Everywhere, that was the talk of Hell. From the very lowest ranks to the ruling generals of the military and society, the news that one of the highest ranked vampires and the prodigy of the century was kidnapped, was known. It was a shock and caused mayhem, to say the least. The tenth division that Hitsugaya had previously commanded was in disarray and the ruling Council of Elders in Hell was in panic as they tried to negotiate with the prime suspect of the kidnapping: Heaven. Unfortunately for Hell, Heaven had no clue as it was still in the dark of how their own princess was harboring the said vampire in the very inner sanctum, the residence of royalty, the Princess's chambers.
Hinamori yawned sleepily as she listened to the Council of Elders drone on about their ideas and plans for the upcoming "final" battle. She really wasn't interested, but didn't want them deciding on any plans that would cause unnecessary deaths either. Thus, why she was here.
"Any objections, Hinamori-hime?" an Elder asked after he had finished his speech on what they had decided on the last day.
Hinamori straightened her back as she attempted to look alert and answered, "Some parts of it are acceptable, but there are some parts I object to. For example, in…"
That was the way the rest of the meeting passed, with the Council suggesting ideas and Hinamori turning almost all of the day in a polite and diplomatic way, as Sakura had taught her when they were young. All the while, Hinamori was thinking of Hitsugaya.
Back in Hell
"How are negotiations with Heaven going?" Yamamoto asked during Council.
"Nothing has been accomplished as of yet. Heaven still claims they know nothing of what's going on, which is ridiculous as who else could have taken a taichou-level vampire?"
Yamamoto sighed as he mentally noted to take an aspirin later for his throbbing headache. These discussions with Heaven were going nowhere. Heaven kept on denying they had Hitsugaya-taichou while Hell remained insistent they had Hitsugaya-taichou. If things continued this way…
"Yamamoto-sama? Someone is here to see you," his vice-general announced at the doorway to the Chamber of Forty-Six.
"Who is it?" Yamamoto inquired calmly, though he had an idea who it was.
"She made the sign of the dragon."
There was a small stir as the members at Council recognized the signal. Only those of the noble knew of this sign. Yet, what was one of the nobility doing here?
Yamamoto smiled slightly as a flicker of hope flared for a peaceful conclusion to this problem. She was finally here.
"Excuse me. I have matters to discuss."
With a sweep of his robe, Yamamoto exited the room grandly, going to one of the adjoining rooms to the main Council room. "Direct her to this room," he ordered before entering said location.
His vice-general nodded, a bit confused, but what other choice did he have? "Hai, Yamamoto-sama."
Sakura sat down, senza style, gathering her kimonos folds around her in a soft nest of blue silk with a slight rustle. Smiling serenely, she waited patiently for Yamamoto to start.
"Do you know of Hitsugaya-taichou's whereabouts?" was the first question Yamamoto asked her. How predictable, Sakura thought as she smiled deviously to herself. "Absolutely nothing." Actually, he's just with here dear younger sister currently. "However, should I discover his whereabouts, I shall inform you immediately, Yamamoto-dono." The smile inside of Sakura widened just a bit while she kept a perfectly innocent smile on her face. Old men like him were so easily flattered. I must keep Hinamori-chan as close to Hitsugaya-kun as possible, to protect her. He will be making his move soon.
"Tell me, Sakura, what plans have been made in Heaven for future battles?" Yamamoto inquired after a moment of silence.
Sakura smirked to herself as she answered, "They are scheduling a battle on…." And calmly she recited all of the rejected plans from Council. Really, the old fool was so easily deceived it was funny. How was he head general again?
Beyond the room, Byakuya listened to the conversation with feigned disinterest. He could spot a lie a mile away and Sakura was definitely lying. He was smiling inside though. Sakura looked so sweet and naive on outside while inside was someone as deceptive as a serpent.
"Byakuya-sama, the council wishes you to fill Yamamoto-sama's position as leader for now," the vice-general announced.
"Ah," Byakuya answered, emotionless, as he reentered the Council room.
In Heaven
Hitsugaya leaned against the cold hard wood of his bed's headboard as he coughed lightly for no reason.
"Daijobou, Shirou-chan?" Hinamori's voice broke the silence of the room like glass. Hitsugaya's eyebrow twitched slightly at the offensive nickname.
"I told you to not call me 'Shirou-chan'," Hitsugaya retorted coolly as he glanced disinterestingly at the princess. Lately, she had been visiting him a lot more for no apparent reason. "Why are you here?"
Hinamori smiled to herself as she shook her head slightly. This was his reaction every time she came to visit. She didn't know why, but she thought, no, knew that he was glad to see her during her visits. There was no reason; it was only a gut feeling.
"Mou, you're so grumpy and serious all the time, Shirou-chan! And besides, Shirou-chan sounds cute!" Hinamori cheerfully replied.
Hitsugaya struggled to control himself as a vein throbbed dangerously in his head. How dare she refer to him… a high-level vampire captain like himself as "Shirou-chan."
Oh, don't deny it. You actually don't mind it, that annoying and persistent voice in the back of his head whispered.
Shut up, Hitsugaya growled inside his head. I don't like her and that's final!
Fine, fine, you're so boring. The voice disappeared into the back of his mind again and Hitsugaya once again focused his attention back to the rambling girl. No matter how you looked at her, she was ordinary and in no way eye-catching. She had nice curves… No, he did not just think that! What the Hell was his problem? I need to get out of here soon was his only thought.
Oh, I'm sorry but I can't come tomorrow night. There's a moon-viewing festival that will last all night so…. As the princess, I have to be present."
That last bit of information caught his attention. A festival? How naïve this girl was. Since she would be there, the guards wouldn't be standing at the door and all palace members and staff would be there. Hitsugaya was confident that he could take down any opposition from the ordinary people living in the town surrounding the palace. Now, the only thing he needed to know was where the exit to was. He started listening keenly now for any bit of information that might accidentally slip from Hinamori in her ramblings about the festival. Already, he was forming a plan in his head.
Sakura frowned slightly as she listened in on the conversation. This wouldn't do. She had to keep Hitsugaya here at all costs, for here little sister's safety. Suddenly, an idea came to her as she smiled once more. She knew just what to do and how. She gently touched the golden wing clip in her hair and muttered…