I do not own Bleach

Chapter 16 A Very Bad Birthday

Hinata skipped to Ichigo's house. She had left Hueco Mundo early so that she could walk to school with him today and so that she could say hello to Kuon. Ichigo had named him after they'd put him inside the stuffed lion. Hinata didn't care what he was called, just that he was safe. Ichigo couldn't stand the modsoul, but had agreed to keep an eye on the mischievous stuffed toy because Hinata had begged him to.

Hinata hummed to herself as she approached Ichigo's house. She could hear Ichigo arguing with Kuon as she rounded the corner to his window and smiled. Climbing up to his window sill, she listened as they argued.

"My sweet Rukia, protect me!" Kuon wailed

"Don't you dare!" Ichigo hissed, snatching the stuffed lion off the ground before he could reach Rukia.

Hinata frowned. Why was Rukia in Ichigo's bedroom?

Ichigo was still upset. "I'm sick of this, Kuon! Behave yourself or I'll pull out all of your stuffing!"

Kuon gasped. "You wouldn't! Not this beautiful body of mine!"

Ichigo threw Kuon across the room. "I don't have time for this." He turned and spotted Hinata on the window sill. His expression softened, but only slightly.

"Well, I'm headed off to school," Rukia said, heading towards the window. She hadn't seen Hinata yet.

Hinata quickly climbed back to the ground and greeted Rukia when she climbed out Ichigo's window. She didn't understand why Rukia was with Ichigo so early in the morning, but she didn't want to ask Ichigo about it until Rukia was gone. Rukia greeted her with a smile and was gone.

Ichigo soon joined her in the street, still looking unhappy.

"What's the matter, Ichigo?" she asked, taking his hand.

He looked at her sadly. "Umm . . . Hinata. I know it's your birthday tomorrow, but . . . I want to be alone with my family tomorrow. I'll give you your present today, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to come with me this time."

"Ok," Hinata said, concerned. "That's alright with me. I don't like it when you're sad though."

He gave a weak smile. "I'll be alright."

Once at school, Ichigo was unusually nice to everyone, including Keigo. Hinata watched him, concerned, but decided to give him his space today. On their way home, he gave her a quick hug and her present before vanishing inside with his family.

. . .

Hinata hummed to herself while at school the next day. Ichigo was skipping school as he usually did on this day. To make up for his absence though, he had told all of their friends that it was her birthday. Orihime surprised her with a homemade cake. Chad had brought her some white and yellow daisies. Tatsuki gave her karate hand wraps after making her promise to practice sparring with her later that day. Keigo acted as if he was hiding a gift behind his back, but then leaned forward in an attempt to kiss her because Ichigo wasn't around to stop him. Before she knew what was happening, Tatsuki and Chad had both grabbed Keigo from behind and dragged him across the room with Tatsuki yelling at him.

Uryu slid a small, thin wrapped box wrapped with a ribbon into her hands while everyone's attention was still on Tatsuki and Keigo. Hinata excitedly opened the small box to find shiny silver chopsticks that had beautifully crafted flowers at the ends. She immediately pulled her long orange hair into a bun with the chopsticks. Uryu smiled as he watched her adjust his gift, turning her head so she could catch her reflection in the window to see how they looked. Hinata didn't hear the whispers coming from the students that had witnessed the exchange.

"So pretty!" Orihime said, gently touching the chopsticks in Hinata's hair. Behind her back, Uryu smirked.

. . .

Hinata carefully put her notes away, admiring the gifts now sitting in her bag, and listened to the chatter of the other students as they prepared for lunch. She looked up as Orihime, Tatsuki, and Chad made their way towards her and realized that there was somebody missing. She jumped to her feet and frantically looked for Rukia, but realized that aside from Ichigo, Rukia had also been absent all day. Suddenly angry, Hinata grabbed her bag and pushed her way towards the door. If Rukia wasn't here she must be with Ichigo and it wasn't fair that Rukia could spend the day with him but she couldn't. The others watched her in surprise and Tatsuki grabbed her arm.

"What's wrong, Hinata?" Tatsuki asked, startled by the sudden change in her mood.

Hinata glanced at the door and then back at Tatsuki. "I have to go. There's something I need to do."

"What about our sparring?!" Tatsuki called as Hinata broke free and rushed towards the door once more.

"Sorry!" Hinata yelled over her shoulder, breaking into a run when she reached the hallway. She searched for Ichigo's and Rukia's spirit pressure as she raced across the school grounds, attracting stares from everyone in the yard. She was with him. Rukia was with Ichigo. Hinata ran to Uncle Kisuke's shop, barely able to contain her anger. He looked up in surprise as she raced into the back of the shop and quickly disposed of her gigai.

"Hinata, what are you doing? Why aren't you in school?" Kisuke asked.

Hinata was close to tears. "Ichigo was supposed to spend my birthday with me, but he told me . . . and she . . . I'm so . . ."

"You're not making any sense!"

"I have to go, Uncle Kisuke! I'm sorry!"

He watched in amazement as she raced out of his shop. He'd never seen her so upset or at a loss for words.

. . .

Hinata sonidoed the whole way to the place Ichigo visited every year. Staying in the trees, she searched for his spirit pressure again and found him arguing with Rukia. Hinata listened as Rukia made excuses for following Ichigo, her heart sinking as Ichigo grew sadder and sadder. At least Rukia had followed him and Ichigo hadn't invited her. After a few moments, Ichigo ran off, leaving Rukia stunned. Hinata shook as she felt the weight of Ichigo's sadness. He'd always been sad on her birthday, but he'd never been this upset. What had Rukia said to him?

Before she could work out what to do, she sensed the appearance of a hollow. Rukia's phone rang from down below, while Hinata began to make her way towards the hollow. Then she heard a scream that made her move faster. Ichigo's sisters were being attacked. She could feel Ichigo moving back towards where he had been arguing with Rukia. He had sensed the hollow also. As she got closer, she prepared her quincy bow.

The hollow was massive. Karin lay on the ground, scratched and bruised, and the hollow was taunting Yuzu as he held her up in the air. Because of her perch in the tree and with Karin below, Hinata couldn't get a good angle. Frustrated, she shot a barrage of arrows hoping to get in a lucky shot. Hinata was unable to get any closer because Karin would see her in her spirit form.

"Faster, Ichigo," Hinata whispered, shooting at the hollow again. All she was managing to do was irritate the hollow with her lousy shots.

At last, Ichigo jumped out of nowhere and swung his massive sword at the hollow. It released Yuzu as Rukia arrived on the scene. As the battle progressed, chills began to run down Hinata's spine. As she watched, her frustration grew. This hollow talked too much.

Hinata was already having a bad day, but when the hollow made Masaki appear, Hinata could hardly control her rage. Ichigo froze when he saw the woman. Did Ichigo know her? Hinata wondered. She'd been so mad that she had begun to tune out the hollow's rambling. She began to pay attention again as the hollow taunted Ichigo.

"That's right, boy. I killed her! I, Grand Fisher, killed your dear mother!" the hollow gloated.

Mother? Hinata looked at the woman again. It was definitely her mother, Masaki. So then . . . did that mean that she was Ichigo's mother too?

Ichigo let out an angry shout, attacking wildly. As he fought, Hinata's blood ran cold. This monster had killed her mother. He had killed Ichigo's mother. This was why Ichigo was so sad all the time. She clenched her teeth and drew her quincy bow, knowing it was useless at this moment, but wanting to feel its power in her hands to keep her from joining Ichigo as he fought. She knew he was getting tired, and he was injured, which made her even angrier. This was the worst day ever.

The last straw came when the monster vanished through a garganta, licking its wounds. Ichigo had lost. The battle had come to a draw and the monster had gotten away. Hinata flung her arm to the side, taking one last look at Ichigo's exhausted face, and flew through the garganta. This hollow wasn't going to get away from her. She couldn't do anything in Ichigo's world, but she would be able to kill the beast in Hueco Mundo, her world.

The hollow hadn't gone far when Hinata shot out of the garganta, drawing Nikko and letting out an angry snarl. "How dare you!" she half screamed as the monster spun around in surprise. "How dare you kill our mother, and hurt my brother, and hurt his sisters!"

Grand Fisher didn't know what hit him. Putting all her force into her swing, Hinata cut him clean in two, all of her anger and frustration channeling through her sword. As the monster vanished, she fell to her knees, sobbing.

. . .

Aizen felt a sharp rise in spirit pressure on the edges of Hueco Mundo. He had been going to meet his gathered arrancar, but paused now as he turned to the odd source of power. It was very brief, vanishing as soon as it had appeared. There was another powerful spirit pressure that vanished with it. Something, or someone, had just killed a hollow. Intrigued, Aizen quickened his pace so that he could inquire about this strange presence from the other arrancar.

Ulquiorra, Starrk, Lilynette, Nel, and a handful of others were gathered at the assigned meeting point. All of them bowed respectfully as Aizen approached. He smiled. Surely they would know who the source of such incredible spirit pressure was.

"Tell me," he said without greeting, "are there any other arrancars in Hueco Mundo right now? You all must have felt it right now. There is a very powerful arrancar here in Hueco Mundo."

There were many looks of puzzlement. Aizen looked to Ulquiorra, his most loyal follower, but the arrancar's expression was the same as ever: bored disinterest.

"None of you know where the source of that power came from?" Aizen asked, dismayed. Whoever it had been, they'd been powerful, and Aizen wanted that power. "Your new orders are to find the source of that spirit pressure! I want this arrancar!"

The arrancars scattered, muttering. Aizen watched and searched to find the source of the spirit pressure again. Sadly, he didn't have long to linger; he had to go back to the Soul Society. He made one last attempt to find the source, but there was nothing. His interest was piqued. He needed to find all of the powerful arrancars, and he desperately wanted to meet this mysterious arrancar. He began to obsess over it as he made his way back to the Seireitei.

. . .

Ulquiorra had sensed Hinata's return. It had taken all of his control to act as if he didn't recognize her spirit pressure. She had come back from the world of the living too early, and he could sense that she was upset. He wanted to go to her, but someone was following him.

He turned and came face to face with one of the newer members of the arrancar, Yammy. The massive arrancar had a broad grin on his face as he reached out and shoved Ulquiorra.

"I hear that you were one of the first to join Lord Aizen. Ain't that right?" Yammy grinned, shoving Ulquiorra again. "Think you're tough, do you?"

Ulquiorra glared at him, ignoring the taunts. He didn't have time for this.

"Think you're better than me? Huh?" Yammy's shoves were growing stronger and painful. Ulquiorra moved to dodge, but was thrown into the sand. Yammy was playing with him, and Ulquiorra wasn't strong enough to stop him. Ulquiorra hated it.

"How lame," Yammy whined, bored. "I thought Lord Aizen had better taste than this. Too bad."

Ulquiorra fled. He didn't know this new arrancar very well, and he didn't want to stick around any longer. Hinata needed him.

. . .

Hinata sensed Ulquiorra as he approached. Something was wrong. Her anger flared once more. What was it this time? When he finally came into view, she flew into his arms. He grunted in pain. He was hurt.

"Who did this?" Hinata hissed.

"It's nothing," Ulquiorra said, trying to hold her in place. "Tell me what happened. Why did you come back?"

Hinata ignored his questions, tracing the lingering spirit pressure that swirled around Ulquiorra. Nikko was in her hands again; Hinata was furious. "Let go of me, Ulqui. I'm going to kill him."

"No!" Ulquiorra cried, desperate now. "It's dangerous! I need to know what happened to you. Who upset you?"

Hinata looked into his eyes. Hers were filled with pure rage. Ulquiorra froze, startled by the violent expression on her face. Hinata broke free and sped off. Ulquiorra couldn't stop her; no one could catch her. It didn't take her long to find the source of the spirit pressure. The arrancar was massive, humming to himself as he kicked massive holes in the sides of the sand dunes he passed. Furious she called out to him. "Are you the one that hurt my big brother?"

The arrancar turned around and then let out a roar of laughter. "If I did, what's the likes of you going to do about it?"

"You hurt Ulquiorra, and that's unforgivable!"

The arrancar just laughed, as Hinata leapt, sword held high over her head. "Guide me, Nikko Kagayaki!" she called, bringing her sword down on the monster's face. His laughter turned into a look of pure horror as the blade pierced his skull. There was a blinding flash of light, and then the arrancar was gone. Sand swirled up into the air as Hinata landed, unable to release her grip on Nikko. She was breathing heavily and fought back more tears. Today had been the worst day of her life.

. . .

Ulquiorra finally caught up to her. The arrancar, Yammy, was gone. Hinata had killed him instantly. There was no way anyone had missed the blinding flash of light that had illuminated the dark skies of Hueco Mundo. He needed to get her away. He had to hide her!

He found her collapsed, passed out on the sand, holding her sword much like the day he had first found her. Gingerly, he lifted her into her arms and fled the scene, grateful that he regenerated quickly. She settled into his arms as he ran; her face, which had been so contorted with anger before, was now peaceful as she slept. Ulquiorra held her close and made his way towards home.

. . .

Masaki and Nikko ran out of their cabin as Hinata stumbled onto the lawn, sobbing. Her inner world had gradually darkened throughout the day until it had become pitch black. There wasn't even a sliver of moon like there had been the last time her world had gone dark. Masaki reached her first.

They didn't have to ask; they knew exactly what had happened. Masaki pulled Hinata into her lap and held her as she sobbed while Nikko stoked Hinata's hair, murmuring soothing words. Hinata had called her full name, releasing Nikko's full power, and she could still feel the lingering effects of the release. At last, Hinata pulled back and looked up into Masaki's face.

"You're dead, aren't you?" Hinata whispered, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "The monster said he killed you. He told Ichigo he'd killed you!"

"Shhh," Masaki murmured, wiping the tears from Hinata's face. "I'm right her, Hinata. It will be alright."

"Are you Ichigo's mom?" Hinata asked, clinging to her mother.

"Yes," Masaki answered, tears streaming silently down her cheeks too. "My little boy. You've been taking care of my little boy. You make him so happy, Hinata. I worry that he's not happy."

"Then he really is my big brother," Hinata whispered. She managed a weak smile. "I want to make Ichigo happy. I don't like it when he's sad. Ulquiorra too. I just want everyone to be happy."

She spent the rest of the night with Masaki and Nikko. She missed school the next day, spending the time calming down with her mother. She never wanted to feel like this ever again. She didn't leave her inner world until the darkness faded and the sun came out again.