SailorStar9: This is Chapter 11 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Ichigo: (Looks over at Uryū) Having soba again?

Uryū: No!

Ichigo: Huh? You sure?

Uryū: In the morning, it's Mori, the afternoon, it's Zaru, and now, it's Oomori.

Ichigo: (Confused) Huh? Aren't those all the same?

Uryū: What?

Urahara: (Pops onscreen) No, no! You should definitely have beef.

Orihime: (Holds pear in hand) Pears.

Isshin: (Holds cup of pudding) Pudding!

Hasu: (Holds plate of cake) Chocolate cake!

Chapter 11: Tragedy of Dawn


It can't be... Kira was stunned when he saw the fallen Renji. Abarai couldn't have lost. "First, we must get Abarai treated." he instructed. "Get a stretcher. We're taking him back to the barracks."


Later...

"That's..." Hinamori gaped in shock when she saw Renji after Kira brought the defeated redhead in.

"When I found him, he was already in this condition." Kira replied. "If only I'd found him sooner and assisted him in his fight."

"Don't blame yourself, Kira." Hinamori assured.

"In any case, ill contact Squad 4." Kira added. "I'll ask for emergency relief."

"That's no need." Byakuya corrected. "Put him in prison."

"But Abarai fought the Ryoka himself..." Hinamori protested. "And yet..."

"No excuses." Byakuya cut her off. "If he entered the fight alone, defeat is absolutely forbidden. I have no use for a fool who did not understand that. He is an eyesore. Take him away."

"Please wait!" Hinamori spoke. "How can you say..."

"Stop!" Kira stopped her. "Hinamori, let's follow his orders and take Abarai to prison." he stated after Byakuya walked off.

"So scary." Ichimaru noted. "Why'd he have to talk like that, huh? He's as scary as ever, that Captain of the 6th Squad. Don't worry." he assured. "I'll call Squad 4. Come with me, Izuru." he instructed.

"Wow, Abarai got messed up pretty good." Hitsugaya gawked.

"Hitsugaya!" Hinamori turned to the younger Shinigami.

"Hey. I'm a Captain too." Hitsugaya reminded. "And you're gonna address me like that?"

"Never mind that!" Hinamori protested. "How come all you Captains creep around so suddenly? And what are you here anyway, Hitsugaya? That's right." she blinked. "Why are you here? Without your Lieutenant?"

"I came to warn you." Hitsugaya replied. "Be careful of Squad 3; I mean Ichimaru. But I'm not sure about Kira, either. Anyway, it won't hurt to be careful. Especially..."


Much later...

"The situation is critical." Yamamoto declared, at the Captains' meeting. "This means that we are short one Lieutenant in the 13 Court Guard Squads. We can no longer leave this to the lower-ranks members. Therefore, in view of the situation, I will not discipline Ichimaru of his actions earlier. Furthermore, I will allow senior officers, including Lieutenants, to carry their Zanpakutō at all times as well as allow full release of their Zanpakutō to in the Court, as in wartime. Men, this is all-out war."


In a holding cell...

"Abarai..." Hinamori took a seat beside the wheezing Lieutenant after his injuries were treated for the day. Why did you attack the Ryoka alone? Does it have anything to do with Rukia? She was cut off from her thoughts when a lower-ranks Shinigami approached to inform her of Yamamoto's recent instructions.


In her quarters...

Wartime orders... Hinamori mused after she received the official edict. Permission to wear swords. Why did it come to this? They don't have to let us carry Zanpakutō too. Peace is all that I want. And... Hitsugaya's warning... I'm worried. Captain Aizen...


Later that night...

"What's the matter?" Aizen stopped his brush. "Is something wrong, Hinamori?"

"I'm sorry." Hinamori opened the door.

"What is it at this hour?" Aizen asked. "Dawn is about to break."

"I know fully well that this is very rude." Hinamori voiced. "But may I have a quick word? I promise not to make any blunders. So please..."

"Do you think I would turn you away simply for rudeness?" Aizen chided. "Do I seem heartless these days? Then, come inside." he offered. "Today was a very difficult day. Talk to your heart's content. "


The next day...

"Darn!" Hinamori awoke. "I'm sorry! I fell asleep. Huh?" she blinked and looked around to find the room empty, before hearing the alarm clock chime. "Oh no! Look at the time! Geez, I wish the Captain would've woken me up." she muttered, dashing out. "I wonder if I'll make it to the meeting on time. I think I made it." she landed outside a nearby building. Rushing off to the yard, she turned when she heard the slow drip of liquid. Her eyes widening as she took the scene in, she let out a scream of horror.

"Hinamori!" Kira shouted as he, Hisagi, Matsumoto and Iba rushed out. "What's wrong? Hinamori!" unable to shake her out of her shell-shocked state, he turned to see where Hinamori's eyes were staring at. "It can't be..." he gaped, seeing a bloodied Aizen pinned to the building wall.


SailorStar9: In the next chapter, believing that he murdered Aizen, Hinamori attacks Ichimaru, but is stopped by Kira. Hitsugaya stops their fight, and orders both to be incarcerated. He then promises to kill Ichimaru if he harms Hinamori in any way. Chad and Tula continue through Soul Society, but the 8th Division captain, Kyōraku Shunsui, decides to stop them. Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarō travel towards Rukia's prison, but are immobilized by Kenpachi's immense Spiritual Power. Now that's done, read and review.