Chapter 5


"So you are looking for a way into Hueco Mundo and thought I could help?" Urahara blew on his cup of tea before sipping it slowly.

"I have to find her," Hitsugaya replied, "and I need to find a way in without announcing my arrival."

"Don't you think it would be wise to take someone with you?" Urahara glanced casually over.

"I'm going alone. This is personal business." Hitsugaya wore a determined look. "She didn't go on her own."

"She certainly came on her own once, or so the story is told." Urahara took another sip and sat his cup down. "And obviously they see her presence – and her absence – as Soul Society business."

"She's not a traitor, if that's what you're asking," Hitsugaya said wearily. "And wouldn't your helping me be seen as a violation of Soul Society's orders?"

"Such 'violations' are the reason why I now reside 'here'," Urahara replied with a smile. "Come."

They descended into the chamber beneath the shop. It appeared that Urahara had been suspecting a need, as two great beams suspended in two rocks were positioned as Hitsugaya had been told about Kurosaki Ichigo's rescue mission. "I see you recognize the 'Garganta', the Arrancar portal," Urahara said. "When I open the portal, head toward the darkness, and you will eventually reach Hueco Mundo. But beware – you cannot hide your reiatsu there as effectively as you can here. Don't expect them to be surprised."

"Just do it." Hitsugaya's face had a look of steel. "Thank you for your help. Let's go."

Urahara began the incantation, and the portal opened. Hitsugaya ran down the bleak corridor that opened before him. I don't want to think how Sharon must have felt coming through this way. He disappeared into the blackness.


Sharon wasn't pouting, not exactly. She was a bit upset, having been abducted and all.

And not one word from that zanpakutou either.

"Excuse me, aren't you going to at least introduce yourself?" She frowned at the masked, cloaked figure beside her. "If you're going to take me somewhere and make me sit and wait, I think I ought to know who you are."

The masked face turned towards her. "Why do you want to know? Isn't it enough that I brought you here?"

Sharon rolled her eyes. "Such inanity. This is boring. If I had the faintest idea where we are – or how to get back to where I was – I would ditch you right here and right now. Unfortunately, the only guess I have to the 'here' is that funky Hueco Mundo place I keep hearing about, which means the 'how' is pretty much out of my reach."

"It wasn't, once." He stared straight ahead.

"And I wasn't coherent then either. Look, what are we waiting for, anyway? I'm –"

Just then Ichimaru Gin slid around the corner into view.

Sharon's eyes narrowed. "I seem to remember wanting to carve you. What do you want now?"

A raised eyebrow. "Well, and isn' it a pleasure t' see ya agin. I do hope ya'll stay a bit longer this time…"

"Fat chance, buddy. When do I go home?"

"'Home'? Ya mean back to Soul Society, or to see yer son?" The plastic smile never left Gin's face.

Sharon's cold, hard tone almost frosted the air. "Home for me, now, is where I belong – with the one I want to be with. Who happens to live in Soul Society, yes. I seem to remember telling you what you can do with your ideas for my son."

"Now, now, no need ta get so upset on me. We ain't touched him, and don' have reason ta, as long as ya hear him out."

"And why would I want to hear anyone out who has anything to do with you?" Sharon crossed her arms.

"Because I have something to do with you." Aizen Sousuke seemed to command the space around him. The masked figure knelt before him. "I did my part, Aizen-sama. I brought Hyourinmaru's mate. What do we need to do next?"

"Whoa, people. What the flipping heck is going on here? I'm human, he's dragon, remember? If you're looking for the other dragon, well, she hasn't exactly been talking lately and I can't make her." Sharon studied Aizen's face carefully. "Hey, aren't you the creep who hurt Toshiro's friend? She really cares about you."

"My, what a mouth she has," Ichimaru oozed. "She oughta be taught some manners."

"More than enough time for that later. Right now, I have a bargain to settle. Kusaka," Aizen turned to the masked figure. "Please show Sharon your face."

"Yes, Aizen-sama." Kusaka removed his mask. Sharon's eyes grew wide. That guy… Hyourinmaru showed us… the one Toshiro was so upset about… the one with the other Hyourinmaru. She snapped out of her reverie. "Wait just a minute. I thought – I mean, Toshiro said you were – but, you're here, so you can't be – weren't you supposed to be dead?"

"Kusaka Soujirou. Once a loyal soldier for Soul Society, killed by one Hitsugaya Toshiro because they couldn't bear to have two of us with the same sword. Hyourinmaru is mine. And now his mate will be mine too." Kusaka's eyes glowed with a feral stare. "And maybe her vessel as well."

"Not if I have anything to say about it. What on earth are you people thinking?" Sharon was really angry now. "Hyourinmaru – the real Hyourinmaru – is with Toshiro, and neither of them will put up with this. What makes you think Scout – I mean, Oshidamaru. What makes you think she will agree to any of this?"

"You will agree, I think." Aizen gently loosed his zanpakutou from its sheath. "Don't you think so, Hitsugaya?"

Sharon blinked. She could have sworn there had been some other guy there just now, but it was Toshiro, nodding at Aizen. "I really think we need to convince Oshidamaru to take sword form, Sharon. It's in everyone's best interest for you to be able to bear her as a real shinigami."

Sharon rubbed her eyes and shook her head once or twice. But there he was, talking to her here in this crazy place. "I thought we were supposed to be confined to quarters. Why are we here?"

"I thought we needed to get away for a while, have some time to ourselves, try to see if we can coax her out, don't you think?" He sounded awfully convincing. Sharon looked at Aizen, smiling down at her, then to Toshiro, then back to Aizen. That mesmerizing smile of his…

"Could I have some rest first? I – " Sharon broke into a huge yawn.

"Here. Let me show you where we'll be staying." Toshiro took her arm and led her away.

Ichimaru looked after them. "That went well, don'tcha think?"

Aizen merely shrugged. "She's just one piece of a larger puzzle. We need both dragons, and both dragons will come."

"But aren't they both here now?"

"Hyourinmaru is on his way." Aizen smiled benignly. "And then the fun will really begin."


Hitsugaya emerged in a wide expanse of sand lit by a weird dim moonlight. He kept his reiatsu tightly dampened and wrapped his cloak around him. I think they called it Las Noches, Aizen's palace. I bet that's where they took her. He pulled his hood over his face. It wouldn't be good for anyone here to notice he didn't have a mask. There. I feel it. Several minutes of slogging through sand brought him to where he could view the outer wall of the grand structure.

Hitsugaya sat. He was at a loss as to what to do next. This is what I get for rushing off without some kind of plan. He found a niche in the formless sand and tucked his cloak over him. He was soon fast asleep.

Thus when Abarai Renji and Kuchiki Rukia emerged within a hundred yards of him, they never saw where Hitsugaya was curled up in the sand.


AN: gomen, minna... low energy state the last few weeks, but will try to finish off this story soon. It's only meant to be another four or five chapters long, but will see how it goes.

Hitsugaya: *small vein bulging* Did you really have to have me so clueless?

Satscout: You're not clueless. You're just flustered. It's understandable.

Hitsugaya (through gritted teeth): I'm not that incompetent, you know. I am a taichou.

Satscout: Who laid down his haori to follow the friend he loved - and the woman he loves. Don't worry, I believe in happy endings.

Hitsugaya: Just don't make me look more like an idiot.

Satscout: You're NOT an idiot. I swear it. You're just a little judgment impaired when it comes to Kusaka, that's all.

Hitsugaya (with arms folded across his chest): Just watch it.