Angel in Hell
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, for the hundredth millionth time. It is annoying I have to state this at the beginning of every chapter.
Hitsugaya slowly stirred, groaning as he tried to move his aching muscles. Where was he? All he remembered was a bright flash of light, a brief flash of darkness, and then here he was, lying flat on his back on something warm and soft.
Cursing his bad luck, the vampire lord pulled himself into a sitting position before blinking in shock.
He was in his room, in his mansion. Which meant, he was back in Hell.
Suddenly, his brows furrowed as he started recalling the past events in his memory. If he remembered correctly, Hinamori, the princess of Heaven herself, had followed him here.
Which meant she was at the mercy of everyone in Hell. Which meant that now, she was most likely the target of everyone, since she was the enemy's leader. A sick feeling rose in Hitsugaya's stomach at the realization of what could, would happen to Hinamori. She would be tortured for information and eventually killed. She was Heaven's princess.
I can't let that happen was Hitsugaya's only thought. They may be enemies, but she had saved his life when she could have left him a goner and Hitsugaya Toushiro did not leave debts unpaid.
Getting up despite his body's protests, Hitsugaya swept out of his room quickly, clad in a white sleeping kimono. He needed to see Hinamori first and foremost.
Hinamori could feel herself shivering in fear as she was hauled up in front of the council. Beads of nervousness dripped off her face as she awaited the interrogation in front of Hell's council. Her thin frail body was trembling as she stared at Yamamoto with the eyes of a deer caught in headlights. She was scared. Never had she faced something like this alone. Always, someone would be there. First, it had been her mother and father. Then, Sakura. Now, it was just her. Alone.
Yamamoto surveyed the girl staring at him from his seat on the raised dais that indicated his position as General. He felt pangs of sympathy for this girl. She was so young and innocent. But he had his duties and all actions have their consequences. She would have to learn the hard way those consequences.
"Hinamori Momo, princess of Heaven, I presume?" Yamamoto stated in a loud enough voice for the whole council. Hinamori wilted like cooking spinach as the looks on her intensified. "Tell me, why did you have Hitsugaya-taichou in you custody?"
Byakuya surveyed the scene emotionlessly from the side though inwardly, he was already analyzing the girl. So this was Sakura's younger sister. She fell short of his expectations. He knew that Sakura was the unrivaled beauty of Heaven and was the elder, and more experienced and mature, but he had not expected such a…. child-like and inexperienced person to be princess. Still, he had his promise and obligations to fulfill.
Hinamori took a deep breath before answering in a firm voice, "I had Hitsugaya-taichou in my custody because I was the one who had almost killed him. That was all," she concluded calmly, though that was the opposite of what she was feeling right now. Add to that the General's piercing look as Hinamori was officially in the most awkward situation ever in her life. It was like he had x-ray vision and could see every thought, every bit of knowledge, stored in her brain. It was disconcerting, to say the least. However, when his gaze turned from calm to cold and merciless, Hinamori felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. The chitchat was over; now, the real interrogation would start.
Hitsugaya was a blur as he headed to the House of the Council, using shunpo. He had just hastily put on his captain's robe after he had found out Hinamori's locations after asking the door servant, the reason he looked so disheveled right now. He had to hurry. There was no time to waste. He knew how cruel and manipulative the Council could be, especially when there was a captured enemy. All the more reason to get there quickly.
Hinamori sank slowly to the floor, an enormous but invisible force pushing her down. She couldn't breath, she felt faint, and she felt that something was squeezing her heart. Suddenly, the force disappeared, and she could breathe again, albeit heavily. Panting for breath, she managed to raise her head to look in fear at the General, all emotional constraint gone. Who was this monster?
Byakuya eyed the girl with growing contempt. She couldn't even stand a second of Yamamoto's reiastu. The last time he had seen him use it was on Sakura, and she hadn't even flinched, just smiling. What a pathetic excuse for a princess.
Suddenly, a guard appeared at the doorway. Everyone turned to stare at him. This was an important occasion; what was this guard doing, interrupting them?
"Yamamoto-dono! Forgive me for this intrusion, but Hitsugaya-taichou is at the door and wished entrance."
A murmur of shock ran through everyone, including Hinamori. Hitsugaya-taichou? What was he doing here? Even if he was one of the most powerful beings in Hell, he was still only a taichou, now a Council Member. What was he here for?
Hinamori felt her heart rise a little at the prospect of seeing Hitsugaya. Even if he wasn't going to help her, at least someone she knew would be here. This alone comforted her enough to regain her mask of calmness. She was the princess of Heaven. Even if Sakura had left her, she was determined to show everyone she was as good as her sister, even if she wasn't.
Yamamoto noticed a slight change in the girl's demeanor at the announcement of Hitsugaya-taichou. Interesting. Well, he would just have to break that too.
"Allow Hitsugaya-taichou admittance," Yamamoto told the guard before turning his full attention back to the girl. She was standing now and no longer was she scared looking. Now, she was standing straight and her eyes were determined, though Yamamoto noticed a slight tremble in her hands. Interesting.
"Hinamori, what plans do you know of that Heaven has planned for the war?" Yamamoto questioned, though his voice made it seem more like a command.
Taking a deep breath, Hinamori answered firmly, staring straight at the imposing figure of the General, "No, I know absolutely nothing."
Byakuya raised his eyebrows ever so slightly. This girl had more guts than she had originally let on. To refuse Yamamoto twice… that was unprecedented. Even Sakura had not refused directly. She had just diplomatically steered away from that topic.
"Is that your answer? Then perhaps…." however, Yamamoto was cut off by a sudden arrival.
"Let her go," the cold voice of Hitsugaya stated at the entrance to the House. He looked more imposing now, his arms folded and a scowl on his face.
Hinamori's heart, for some reason, skipped a beat. Why was she so relieved to see him? He was a being of Hell, just like everyone else here. Yet, she could not help but be happy that he was here.
Hitsugaya looked directly into Yamamoto's eyes challengingly, even though he realized the consequences for his current actions could be dire, maybe even resulting in him getting demoting. But, he still had his honor and pride, even if he was a being of Hell.
Then, Yamamoto did the unexpected. He smiled understandingly at Hitsugaya for a split second before allowing his mask of coldness to come on again. "Very well, Hitsugaya-taichou. I will grant her leave as your charge. Is that understood?"
Hitsugaya was too shocked for a moment to say anything, but quickly regained his composure. "Hai, understood, Yamamoto-dono."
A ripple of amazement and surprise ran through the assembled crowd. Yamamoto, General of Hell's army…. Had just let the princess of Heaven go? And Hitsugaya, cold taichou of the tenth, had just accepted her into his jurisdiction? What was going on?
"Yamamoto-dono! Why are you letting her go?" a member of the Council called. "She's the princess of Heaven and could be the key to defeating Heaven!"
Yamamoto stared at the man coldly. "Do you dare doubt my decision? Do you?" he thundered, his voice rising as he stared down on the bold man.
The said man shriveled as he felt the General's wrath directed at him. Everyone in the Council Room fell silent and tenseness could be felt clearly. Hinamori didn't show it but was very nervous. What was going to happen to her?
"Does anyone else oppose my decision?" Yamamoto stated threateningly, challenging anyone to dare think of going against him.
Silence reigned over the vast chamber. Not a sound could be heard. Taking this as a "no", Yamamoto declared, "Then this meeting is over. Dismissed. Hitsugaya-taichou, escort Hinamori to your house."
Bowing, Hitsugaya walked up to Hinamori, grabbed her arm, and led her away. "Move," he muttered to her quietly as Council members continued to stare at the two, "and don't look so nervous. That's a sign of weakness."
Obeying his commands at best as he could, Hinamori hurried outside at Hitsugaya's side, her hand clutching the black fabric of his captain's kimono. There was a hanging silence between the two and Hinamori, uncomfortable with it, decided to break it.
"Arigato, Hitsugaya-kun," she thanked once they were almost in front of said vampire's mansion.
"Don't call me 'Hitsugaya-kun'," the irritated vampire said. "And why are you thanking of me? I didn't do anything. It was only to repay a debt."
Hinamori just giggled. Hitsugaya may act tough, but he was very sweet and honorable underneath. True, his image (spiky white hair) didn't go with it exactly, but hey, appearances are deceiving.
"Nothing at all," Hinamori stated cheerfully before entering the mansion ahead of Hitsugaya, leaving a confused vampire behind.
"Oi, don't enter first, Bed Wetter Momo!" an irritated Hitsugaya shouted, using the first name he thought of for the girl.
"H-hey, don't call me that!"
"Then don't call me 'Hitsugaya-kun' or 'Shirou-chan'!"
"But they sound cute!"
"No they don't!"