I do not own Bleach

So it has come to our attention that we believe people may have forgotten that Hinata is a six year old in a 15 year old's body. This came about because she was born as an arrancar and in a desire to save herself, her body aged rapidly which is why she appears to be six. For the first several chapters she acts like a child her age, but when she started to attend school with Ichigo her mental growth moved forward as well. She has matured very quickly, but she is still acts and speaks like a six year old most of the time.

Chapter 22 – Events set in Motion

Gin had just finished his paper work when there was a knock at the door. He looked up and frowned at the spiritual pressure outside the door. "Enter."

Captain Hitsugaya walked in with Rangiku right behind him. She seemed to be looking around the room.

"What can I do for you, Captain Hitsugaya?"

The boy gave a growl and glared up at Rangiku. "She wants to play with one of your squad and she promised that if I let her see the girl that she would do all of her work."

"Why did you come with her?"

He could see the boy's distrust in him before he answered, "Because, if I had let her go on her own she would never have come back."

Gin gave a smirk. "Who is it you are looking for, Rangiku?"

She gave a small jump at being called. "Hinata."

Gin had to stop himself from showing his surprise. "Who again?"

Rangiku looked him in the eyes. "Hinata. She is just a few inches shorter than me with long orange hair and wears a yellow scarf around her neck along with some feathers in her hair."

How had Rangiku met Hinata? "You do know that I have hundreds if not more under me."

The boy growled again. "I told you we wouldn't be able to find her." He grabbed Rangiku and began pulling her out of the room.

Gin gave a small wave as they left. Why did they think that Hinata was in his squad? He barely had time to look down at his desk before another knock came at the door and it opened to show Caption Kyoraku with his straw head walking in.

"What did you do to Captain Histugaya and Lieutenant Matsumoto?"

"They were looking for someone I didn't know."

He gave a chuckle. "Well, hopefully you can help me better. I'm looking for someone as well – a girl under you named Hinata Kurosaki?"

"Well, that's three people in a row I will have to disappoint then. I do not know where she is."

Captain Kyoraku gave a sigh. "That's too bad. When you see her, tell her to stop by at my place anytime she wants."

Gin watched in shock as the other man left his office. How did so many people know her?

. . .

Uryu couldn't take it anymore. Ichigo was wasting precious time; what imbecile couldn't control their spirit pressure?! The faster he mastered Kukaku's spirit orb, the faster they would be able to get into the Seireitei and find Hinata. Grumbling to himself, he pulled out the chopsticks he had given her for her birthday and reread the note she had left. He was still mad that she had lied to him, but she was so innocent that he couldn't blame her for doing as she was told. Now he was angry with Ichigo for telling her to lie to everyone about who she really was.

Orihime seemed to sense Uryu's irritation and chatted with Chad in the corner while they waited for Ichigo. Clenching the chopsticks in his fist, Uryu began to probe for Hinata's spirit energy. It was very faint on the other side of the wall, but she didn't seem to be in any immediate danger. He tried to imagine what she was doing, and then shook his head with a small smile. Hinata was more than capable of taking care of herself.

"It's time," Mr. Yoruichi said at last, and they all hurried to meet with Ichigo again. Before long, they were outside and preparing to enter the cannon.

"What about you, Mr. Yoruichi?" Ichigo was asking of their feline companion.

They all watched as Mr. Yoruichi perfectly formed a spirit orb; Ichigo was frustrated that he was the only one who had struggled to master it. "Let's go," Uryu urged, annoyed that Ichigo didn't seem to care that Hinata was alone on the other side of the wall. Everybody looked at him, surprised.

They gathered into the cannon, but were once again delayed when Kukaku's brother, Ganju, ran up insisting that he was going with them. Uryu tried not to show his irritation. Instead, he pushed up his glasses and took his position. Glancing upward as Kukaku began to chant, Uryu searched again for Hinata's spirit pressure. He was coming to get her.

. . .

Hinata paused and looked up at the sky, smiling. Ichigo and the others were finally coming. Laughing to herself, she made her way down the street again, sliding past the swarm of Shinigami unnoticed as they rushed to their positions. Turning a corner, she was surprised to find a small Shinigami with bright pink hair skipping down the alley. Curious, Hinata followed the girl.

Something didn't make sense. The girl felt more similar to Nikko then the other Shinigami. Hinata tried to puzzle it out as she followed the girl when the girl suddenly turned around to face Hinata. "Why are you hiding?" the girl with the pink hair asked.

Surprised, Hinata let go of her cloak. "You could see me?"

The girl with the pink hair giggled. "No, you were invisible. Why were you hiding?" she repeated.

Hinata smiled, instantly liking this girl. "I was playing a game."

The girl tilted her head to the side and smiled wider. "I like games. I'm Yachiru! What's your name?"

"I'm Hinata," Hinata said with an answering smile.

Yachiru grabbed Hinata's hand. "You should come meet Kenny!"

Smiling, Hinata let the Yachiru lead her through the Seireitei to the same place where she had met Yumichika. As they neared the place, Hinata felt the presence of a sad spirit pressure. Frowning, she asked Yachiru, "Is your friend sad?"

Yachiru looked up with a smile. "Kenny just wants to find a new friend. You'll see!"

A large man with spiky black hair stormed into the street ahead of them, his head turned towards the sky. Bells jingled from the ends of his hair when his head moved. Hinata giggled when she saw that the man wore an eyepatch too. He turned to look at them. Yachiru let go of Hinata's hand and ran towards the man. "Kenny! I found a new friend. Look!"

The man looked Hinata over, then turned his head to spit. "Who's she, Yachiru? Is she a Ryoka?"

"No, silly," Yachiru laughed. "She's my friend!"

Hinata smiled. "I'm with Gin."

Kenny frowned. "Captain Ichimaru? I didn't know he got any new recruits."

Hinata just smiled. Now that Yachiru was hanging from Kenny's shoulder, he didn't seem so lonely anymore.

Alarms rang through the Seireitei at that moment, causing Kenny to look skyward again. Hinata could sense it too; Ichigo and the others were about to break into the Seireitei.

"Time to go!" Hinata said with a wave. "Nice meeting you! I'll see you later!" Yachiru waved back as Kenny began running the other direction.

. . .

Isane started to run as the alarms sounded. She was late, and the Captain didn't like it when she was late. Fumbling with the sheets in her arms, Isane tripped and crashed into a young girl with long orange hair. "I'm so sorry!" she apologized as she gathered the sheets up in her arms once again.

"That's okay," the girl said with a smile, helping her gather the fallen sheets before continuing down the road, skipping.

Isane ran off again in too much of a rush to ponder on what had just happened. As she skidded into the fourth squad's quarters she realized that she had never met the young Shinigami before. Was the orange haired girl new? Fourth squad had treated just about everybody's wounds at one time or another, and Isane thought she knew everyone.

"Is something wrong, Lieutenant?" Captain Unohana asked, drawing Isane's attention back.

"No, Captain," Isane said, blushing.

"Good. Let's get back to work."

. . .

Hinata paused once again, searching for everyone's spirit pressure. They'd been separated when they'd entered the Seireitei. Chad had been the first to land, somehow escaping injury and avoiding notice. Orihime and Uryu had ended up together, and seemed to be unhurt also thanks to Orihime's abilities. Aunt Kitty was alone in another part of the Seireitei. Ichigo was with an unfamiliar spirit pressure, but seemed to be alright as well. Close to Ichigo, however, were Yumichika and his friend.

Hinata stood still as she tracked the progress of their fights – none of them could hide forever – and considered whether she should meet up with any of them. For now they all seemed safe, so she decided to go find Ichigo. Once again, she had her cloak up and hid from the other Shinigami, gliding past them as they ran around in groups. Everyone was looking for her friends.

By the time Hinata made her way to where Ichigo had been fighting, he was gone. His opponent, however, lay on the ground staring up at the sky, chuckling every now and then. Hinata tilted her head to the side and then slowly approached the man while dropping her cloak. Surprisingly, he had regained enough energy to move again. He gripped his sword and swung out at Hinata.

"Another Ryoka?" he growled. "Just my luck!"

He struggled to his feet, panting heavily as he leaned on his sword. Hinata stood just out of his range, watching him. She could sense that Yumichika was nearby and getting closer. "What's your name?" Hinata asked, stepping slightly to the side when he swung his sword.

"The name's Ikkaku," the man sneered, swinging at her again. "Who are you, Ryoka?"

Hinata danced out of his way, hands behind her back. "I'm not a Ryoka. I'm with Gin."

Ikkaku barked a laugh. "I've never seen you before. Tell me your name, Ryoka!"

Hinata dodged another swing, then reached out to touch the tip of his blade. "You're going to hurt yourself if you don't stop. I don't want to fight you."

Ikkaku's eyes widened in surprise. Who was this girl? "I'm fine! I'll take any of you Ryoka on!"

Hinata, stepped aside once again. Just then, Yumichika rounded the corner and ran to grab Ikkaku as he prepared to swing again. "What are you doing?" Yumichika cried.

"She's a Ryoka!" Ikkaku yelled.

"No she isn't, Ikkaku! Stop swinging your sword!"

Hinata moved inside Ikkaku's range and put her hand lightly on his shoulder. "Yumichika will help you now. You're hurting yourself."

Ikkaku growled as Yumichika dragged him out of Hinata's reach. "Who are you?" he demanded again. He had given up.

"Hinata is the most precious and beautiful young Shinigami I've ever met," Yumichika scolded, forcing Ikkaku to sit down. "She's not any threat to the Seireitei."

Hinata started walking away.

"Hey!" Yumichika called. "I just got here, Hinata!"

Hinata turned and smiled at him. "I have to go find someone. I just wanted to make sure your friend got some help first."

The two men stared at her as she walked away.

. . .

Hinata frowned when she found Ichigo. He was fighting someone else, and his spirit pressure was familiar. She rounded the corner to find an open courtyard where Ichigo was fighting with the same man that had helped kidnap Rukia. She was about to go help Ichigo when she sensed another familiar spiritual energy. Not too far from where she stood were Hanataro and the man Ichigo had entered the Seireitei with.

Hinata looked to Ichigo, and then back at Hanataro. Ichigo was injured, but so was his new opponent. Letting out a sigh, Hinata decided to sit the fight out and watch. Hanataro would heal him when the fight finished. Before long, Ichigo won, leaving the red haired man severely wounded. Ichigo wasn't doing much better though. Hanataro and the other man ran forward and dragged a drooping Ichigo away before more Shinigami arrived.

The newcomers were led by a man with blonde hair that hung in his face. Hinata could sense that this man was close to Gin, but the man was also very sad. He began giving orders, but paused when he looked up and met Hinata's eyes. She smiled at him and then turned around and walked the other direction. As she walked away, she heard him giving orders to save the red haired man.

. . .

Rangiku hated patrolling. She hadn't met a single Ryoka, and to top it all, Captain Hitsugaya had refused to let her return to the barracks for a teensy weeny nap. Frustrated, she rounded a corner and ran into another Shinigami. Preparing a quick apology, Rangiku looked down and found a familiar face looking up at her.

"It's you!" Rangiku cried, sweeping the orange haired girl into a tight hug. "I've been looking all over for you! Come with me!"

The girl massaged her ribs when Rangiku released her. "Are you feeling better?" she asked, her head tilted to the side.

Rangiku laughed. "What a silly question! I feel fine! Come, let's go get something to drink!"

The orange haired girl found herself being dragged into a bar once again with Rangiku.

. . .

Hinata dragged her drunken companion to her bed for a second time. She didn't mind; all of her friends were safe for the time being. Once sure that Rangiku was tucked in snuggly, Hinata decided to go check up on Gin. He was doing paperwork in his barracks when she found him. She slipped in and lowered her cloak.

"Good morning, Gin!" she sang happily, bouncing over to his desk.

He looked up in surprise. "You! You're back!"

"Of course I am, silly," Hinata laughed. "I came to help you."

"I don't need any help," Gin said, turning back to his work.

Hinata wandered around his office, examining his books when an alarm went off. Gin hurried out of his chair and out the door, Hinata close behind him, and muttered, "It's starting."

Hinata followed him through the Seireitei until they came upon a gruesome scene. A young Shinigami stood before a tower, screaming as she stared up at the figure of a man who hung dead high above their heads. Hinata frowned; the dead man wasn't real. She tugged on Gin's robes. "Why is there a fake person on the wall?"

Gin's eyes opened in surprise as he looked back at her. "That's Captain Aizen. He's dead."

"No," Hinata said, shaking her head. "He's not here right now." She pointed up at the dummy on the wall. "That's a fake."

Gin stared at her for a moment, then turned around and decided to ignore her as they drew closer to the scene. The girl who was screaming turned around when Gin approached. "You did this!" she screamed, drawing her blade.

Gin didn't move. Instead, the blonde man Hinata had seen yesterday leapt in front of him, blade drawn while Hinata also moved to block the young woman. "Izuru?" the girl asked, surprised. "Why?"

Gin placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder while his lieutenant answered, "Nobody draws a sword against my captain for any reason!"

The girl was begging. "Please, move out of the way."

When he refused, the girl drew back and called on her blade. Before he could move, Hinata stepped between them, Nikko raised in front of her. The girl's sword released a red ball of energy that Hinata swept aside with a simple swing of her sword. Before anyone else could release another attack, a short, white haired Shinigami dropped between them saying, "Don't move, any of you."

"Toshiro!" the girl said in surprise.

"Arrest them," Toshiro growled, looking around. "Take them away." The other Shinigami grabbed Gin's lieutenant and the girl, which left Hinata standing in the middle of them all. Toshiro stared at her, recognition flashing in his eyes. Gin's eyes were wide too. "Why are you here?"

Hinata backed away until she stood beside Gin once again. "I came to help."

Everyone stared at her.

Gin, in a calm, silky voice said, "I'm sorry my man troubled you Captain."

Toshiro's eyes narrowed. "Ichimaru. Just now . . . you tried to kill Momo, didn't you?"

Hinata stepped forward. "No, he didn't."

There was a shocked silence.

"Excuse me?" Toshiro asked.

"Gin didn't try to kill her. I wouldn't let him if he tried."

"Who are you?" Toshiro asked, a vein twitching at his temple.

"Gin won't hurt any of you. He's a good guy," Hinata said, standing defensively in front of Gin.

"Hinata, don't," Gin said, reaching to grab her shoulder.

The others gathered began to whisper, and one of them called out, "Is she new to your squad, Gin? I didn't know you had a new seated member."

Gin stiffened slightly. Hinata didn't budge. "Yes, she's new," Gin said slowly. "However, she does not have a seat."

The whispers grew louder while Toshiro stared Gin down. "I'm warning you, Captain," Toshiro said, his voice low, "if you make Momo blead, I'll kill you."

"He won't touch her," Hinata said firmly. "Gin wouldn't do that."

Gin pulled Hinata close and hissed in her ear, "What are you doing? You're going to blow my cover."

Hinata looked up at him and shook her head. "You're not a mean person. You wouldn't do those things."

Gin released her and walked away. Hinata was about to follow him again with Toshiro grabbed her arm. "I don't know what you're doing here," he growled, "or why you interfered, but you're coming with me."

Hinata looked towards Gin while Toshiro dragged her away. "Where are we going?"

"I have questions for you," Toshiro said, not looking at her. "My lieutenant has been distracted because of you, and I need her to do her work. You're going to help me."

Hinata sighed and let him drag her along with him. When they found Rangiku, Toshiro dragged her along too.

"Captain!" Rangiku whined. "Shouldn't I be patrolling?"

"You have paperwork," Toshiro growled, "and you're not leaving this room until it's all finished. It's all your fault that I went on a wild goose chase searching for this girl."

Rangiku glanced at Hinata who shrugged.

"Remember her name yet?"

"Ummm . . ." Rangiku said, turning red.

"That's what I thought. According to her captain, her name is Hinata. Now, get to work." Toshiro stormed out of the room leaving Rangiku pouting as she stared at the mountain of paperwork on the desk.

Hinata walked over to the window and searched for her friends while Rangiku mumbled under her breath as she got to work. Again, all of her friends were safe for now. With a sigh, she rest her head on her hands, leaning on the window sill and waited for Rangiku to finish all of her paperwork.