Chapter 4. By Your Side
Tite Kubo owns Bleach and therefore I do not.
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The air had grown cold and harsh by the end of the day.
The Vasto Lorde had arrived at Soul Society at the very end of that day; the eclipse had been only a few hours before. The brown-green eyes of their leader sparked with satisfaction.
"We can go now," He announced. "Get to your designated gate as fast as you can and stay with your group. Remember the name you have chosen for yourself and the names of your companions. We will all meet up at the Soukyoku on the fourth day and discuss our news. Remember, we are trying to find out who is the strongest of the Shinigami, find out his name, division, and where he lives."
"Understood." Came the unanimous reply.
"Good. My group-" he motioned to the two beside him. "Shall go through the Western gate…"
He gave out the gate that each group would enter through. "Remember, we do not have Zanpakutou, so heed my words; do not get caught, for you will be asked questions that you cannot answer. And do not get caught in a fight with no sword."
After the others nodded in understanding, that black-haired 'Shinigami' finished his explanation and instructions. "Very well, lets go!" In a flash, the four groups had disappeared and set out for Rukongai, and the four gates that encircled Seireitei.
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It had been two days since the eclipse, and Hinamori was unusually tired lately.
She kept waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares that something terrible was going to happen.
She had not told anyone as of yet, but she had been having such dreams for the past three nights. And two nights ago, the night of the solar eclipse, she thought that she had sensed some unfamiliar reiatsus sneaking about, but she continued to tell herself that she was simply over-reacting. But something inside of her was still uneasy, the feeling of nervousness crept throughout her body like an ant.
She wanted to tell someone about her discomfort, but she was sure that no one would have time to talk with her. The chestnut-eyed fukuutaichou sighed heavily as she sat down at her desk to file and sign paperwork.
She had almost fallen asleep from total boredom, but was roused by a knock on her door. She quickly straightened herself up and cleared her throat so she would not sound half-asleep.
"Hai?" Her voice was cracked with tiredness.
Her eyes widened in shock when the door slid open and a certain white-haired taichou stepped into the room. At the sudden sight of her friend, Hinamori immediately straightened her posture as to not be disrespectful. Hitsugaya opened his mouth to speak, but then changed his words.
"Oy, Hinamori. You look like you haven't slept in days." He stated, taking a seat on the couch in her office. She stood and walked over to the couch to sit beside him.
"W-Well, I am having trouble sleeping lately, b-but that's nothing important." She added once she saw the curiosity in his aqua eyes. But his persistence to be a good friend caused his gaze to become penetrating, forcing her to tell him what was wrong.
"W-Well," she stammered un-comfortably. "About two days ago, I thought that I sensed a bunch of un-familiar reiatsus slinking around. And whenever I tried to sleep, I always woke up because I kept getting the feeling that I was being…watched." Hitsugaya's eyes widened in surprise.
"Really?" He asked in disbelief. "That's strange, I've been having that feeling a lot lately as well." Suspicion laced his voice and his aqua eyes narrowed. "Come to think of it, I sensed some unfamiliar reiatsus as well, not too long ago. And since our divisions are as far away from each other as they are, this can't be happening in only one location."
Hinamori nodded her agreement. The 10th divisions building was in the Western part of Seireitei, while the 5th divisions was in the Southern part. Suddenly, Hinamori's eyes opened wider and she shot up from her seat. Hitsugaya jumped at her sudden movements.
"This morning, I-I thought that I overheard Nanao-san mumbling about Arrancar, Vasto Lorde in fact!" She stammered.
"Nani?" Now, he stood up beside her.
"H-Hitsugaya-kun," Her voice was trembling now. "W-W-We should t-tell someone, this could be really bad…" She trailed off into a frightened whimper.
Hitsugaya knew that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with Arrancar anymore, not after what had happened with Aizen. She was horribly terrified of her former taichou now, and shuddered at the sound of his name, for she feared he would return again, and do something terrible…
Seeing that his friend was beginning to quiver in fear of her memories, Hitsugaya placed a re-assuring hand on her shoulder.
"You'll be okay, I'm not leaving you're side. I'll warn everyone about the possible threat, and make sure that everyone keeps an eye open for anything strange."
Finally, Hinamori's breathing began to slow, and her shivering ceased as she managed to give him a small, grateful smile.
And as Hitsugaya left the room, he uttered one last sentence to her.
"Just be careful."
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A/N: Yes I know it was short, all of the chapters are short, but trust me, there will be many! And yes I know I used the line from the anime when Hitsugaya says "Just be careful."
Also, I am not exactly sure if Seireitei is the way I describe it, but I am doing my best! Please review!!!