Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.

Lily: My, it's wonderful to see the Hisagi/Hinamori support. I didn't think they'd have a fanbase at all when I first started writing this. But anyway, after many years, here is chapter 3~

Silence.

Not a single soul in the room spoke a word. The Captains of the various divisions had an accurate idea in their minds of what the meeting would present. The only indurate soul was Kurotsuchi, the twelfth division Captain.

He obtained valuable date already and what happened with the third, fifth and ninth divisions wasn't any of his concern. His dark features were indecipherable to those around him; he wanted to finish his entry on that girl with the fairies. That sort of power wasn't common in humans.

Tension.

Unohana, sensitive to other's feelings, could sense the tinge of apprehension in the room. Her eyes fell on the youngest Captain, the silver haired boy. His green eyes were murky, full of disappointment in himself. She wanted to reassure him, tell him no one had any sort of clue about the betrayal, that he shouldn't be so hard on himself. But as a maturing Captain, he was to learn himself.

Tap.

All heads turned to the noise, their thoughts disrupted. Yamamoto, the strongest shinigami in Soul Society, made his appearance. His cane supported him towards the others. His eyes scanned the room, lingering on Ukitake and Shunsui before thanking everyone for attending.

Both captains in question glanced at each other then returned their attention to the old man.

"As you all know, the situation at hand has disrupted three divisions."

His voice was loud and clear, making sure not a single word was unheard.

"As representatives of every division in Soul Society, we must make the decision of who to grant the temporary position of Captain to. Usually, the Lieutenant of each division would transcend but I have reasons to believe they are incapable."

Quiet.

No one could fully disagree although the man seemed to overlook the ninth division's Hisagi Shuuhei capability. Hisagi was a man able to lead the division because of his maturity. His reaction wasn't as blatant as Hinamori's or Kira's, few thought.

"Yamamoto-dono, if you don't mind."

Delicate.

Unohana's request to resume slightly surprised Yamamoto. She wasn't one to talk during these meetings, usually only listening and forming opinions in her mind, where no other could hear them.

He nodded approval.

"Hisagi Shuuhei, of the ninth division, is surely capable of leading his sub-ordinates."

She spoke with a questioning tone, prodding her senior to remember Hisagi's abilities. Even though he failed the entrance exam twice, he had been offered a seat in the Gotei-13 because of his talent.

"Surely the loyalty and reasonable actions he has displayed during the situation tells us where his loyalty will lie in the future: with Gotei-13."

Few nodded, agreeing with the healer. Others did not, wanting to see where this meeting would end up. All of them were paying attention with the exception of Zaraki. His mind was wavering elsewhere to another person. The orange haired intruder, named Ichigo, was the subject of his thoughts. He wanted to fight the boy once more before he left; it was always fun trying to beat someone stronger than himself.

Consideration.

Yamamoto thought about what the woman said. He spent more time than usual since it was the second time, aside from the usual division updates, she spoke up during these gatherings. Who knew when the next time would be?

"Hm."

He looked up at his fellow shinigami. "Objections?"

After seeing none, he granted the Captain's position to Hisagi with minor hesitation. There must be a reason why the petit woman said what she did.

"Then it is passed." Unohana grinned. He glanced at her before continuing, indicating to stay after the meeting. "Now for the other two..."

Tranquil.

There wasn't any movement in Hinamori's room. Even Hisagi himself didn't make the slightest twitch. He sat on the floor with a raised knee and his arm rested on top of it. The tranquility of the chamber soothed him. The woman lying down wasn't aware of his presence though he didn't mind. She didn't seem as troubled as before.

Although, he assumed her mind was full of dangerous thoughts…Just like his.

Similar.

Hisagi thought they were alike in some ways. Not just in status but in personality as well. They were both quiet but when in the presence of their friends, they could be very talkative. They cared for others although it was much more obvious in her. And most importantly, they were both loyal.

But similarities ended there, he thought. Her mentality was diaphanous, weak. His was not. Hisagi thought of her as the happiest girl in Gotei-13 during those few moments she ever entered his thoughts.

Why?

Why did his thoughts keep drifting to the unconscious, pale woman? The shinigami never meant anything to him prior to the Betrayal and vice versa. Even though she and the third division lieutenant attempted to help him during that training session during their days at the Academy, Hisagi never thought too much of her. Why did it matter to him that she truckled to Aizen?

Faith.

Because she reminded him of himself...

Aizen worked to gain her full trust, of that Hisagi was sure. How else could someone break another so easily? Hinamori and Kira were two who stood out amongst the Lieutenants. Not because of Hinamori's random outbursts or Kira's mutterings but because of the faith they placed onto their commanding officers.

Who?

Who could soldiers trust now? Who would they take orders from now? If one of the superior officers didn't betray them now, he or she would later. Hisagi was sure. The fox Captain may seem like a kind soul, fighting for justice but Tousen strived for justice as well...

Struggle.

As he fought with himself, Hinamori did the same. Her hands shook and clenched. Her head slightly shuddered. Her eyes opened halfway then closed before fully opening. They held a residue of fatigue as she looked around the room.

She gradually blinked when her eyes landed on him. He sighed quietly, stood, and pulled the blankets over her shivering body. He didn't know what her mind was thinking at the very moment. But it was obvious that her body was still frail.

"Hisagi...san."

Peculiar.

After searching through his memory, Hisagi couldn't remember anyone adding any kind of suffix to his name. He didn't have acquaintances who were the polite type. The men he saw often only knew to respect their division heads.

There was one exception; Tousen was among the few who called him by name...

Hinamori tried to sit up. Her eyes squinted in pain as she shifted her weight onto her right elbow. Her body slightly shook and before she could fall back into her bed, Hisagi, moved quickly and placed a hand on her back, supporting her.

"T...Thank you."

He nodded. Gently, he eased her back into the bed. Her eyes closed again and seemed as though she had fallen asleep once again.

"H-Hisagi-san...do you mind...if I ask...you a question?"

"No."

Hinamori said nothing for awhile. Then took a slow, deep breath before continuing, "Am I…" When her lips twitched, Hisagi lifted an eyebrow. "How is…Shiro-chan?"

Uncertainty.

How was he to answer that? It was common knowledge the captain wasn't currently doing too well. While his physical appearance and capabilities were in excellent condition, his mind was elsewhere.

Hinamori opened her eyes and turned to him. Hisagi almost took a step back; an implausible amount of melancholy dwelled in those eyes.

"Why did this happen?" She asked in a broken whisper.

New.

A new feeling rose in Hisagi and he didn't know how to respond to her question. Ere he could explore that new feeling, he was interrupted. His heightened senses detected settled energy nearing them. It wasn't a big force but appeared suddenly, as if to warn them to bring their conversation to a close.

Hushed.

The reason why Matsumomo would always fall asleep in the office was the silence it offered. Her captain would always be working - her share of the load as well and if he didn't mind doing it, then why waste her time? - and not leaving any time for small talk.

Sometimes she worried about him. The young boy was hurting inside, she knew, and he wouldn't share this pain with anyone else. Only one was privileged to share his sorrow although at the moment she was in a world of her own. How long would it before the shock disintegrated?

Sharp.

His glance towards her was quick but it was something she had become accustomed to. Those piercing blue eyes meant little to nothing to her. Threatening? Perhaps to the newer members of the division.

"Need something, Captain?" She asked, stretching then covering her yawn with her hand. She expected some soft of sarcastic remark not silence. He studied her briefly before returning to his work.

"Captain, go take a walk. No, don't start to argue with me."

This was said in the most stern and motherly voice she could muster. Yes, Histugaya was a talented boy to be able to make the rank of Captain shortly after arriving into the Academy. But that is what he was in the end, a boy.

Funnily enough, he obeyed after much hesitation. He didn't look over his shoulder at her and that was his childish way of retaliating against her. Matsumomo chuckled and stretched again.

She could use a drink or two.

Cold.

Hisagi never felt chills before in Soul Society. It was when he left for the outside world that he felt any sort of change in temperature. Slowing his pace to an eventual stop, the Lieutenant eyed the rooftop of the nearest building.

Shadow.

The day was drawing to a close and the man standing atop the roof was partially covered in darkness. His eyes shone a bright blue and in an instant, Hisagi knew who it was. Both stood their ground and stared at the other, watching who would make the first move. Then suddenly, the Captain left. When he did, Hisagi didn't see. It was much too fast and much too stealth.

He had never gotten the attention of the tenth division Captain before. What had changed for him, Hisagi Shuuhei, to receive the watchful eye of the Ice Wielder?

Lily: Thanks for the reviews everyone! I'll be making my way eventually to reply to them all. Constructive criticism is always welcome so don't hesititate to leave a thought or two :)