I do not own Bleach

Chapter 29 Released from Bondage

Hinata was so excited. They were getting a new student, and she couldn't wait to meet them. When a tall, yellow hair haired man walked in, she was confused when the teacher introduced him as a new student. She had noticed his spiritual pressure before; it had followed her and Ichigo home from school the last two days, but it had never shown any hostility. There was an underlying feeling of a hollow about the man, so she had been careful.

After writing his name up on the board, he turned around and said, "Shinji Hirako. Nice to meet you."

Hinata found herself clapping as she noticed that he had wrote everything up on the board backwards. The teacher just stared at the board, shaking her head. "Any questions for Mr. Hirako?" Hinata's hand shot up. "Yes, Ms. Kurosaki?"

"Aren't you too old to be in school?"

Everyone's eyes widened at her question. Even Shinji's eyes went wide at the unexpected question. "Ms. Kurosaki! Mr. Hirako is not that old; he is your age just like everyone else. Mr. Hirako, go and take a seat in the back."

He took the seat that was across from Ichigo and kitty corner from Hinata. Shinji exchanged a few words before Ichigo's badge went off and he raced out of the room saying he needed the bathroom. Hinata gave a giggle. Shinji watched her closely. When lunch came, he walked up to her.

"Hey, Hinata!"

"Hi, Shinji."

"So I have to ask: why do you think I'm old?"

She tilted her head and looked at him with confusion on her face. Before she had a chance to answer, Chad appeared at her shoulder and grabbed her arm. "Hinata, want to eat on the roof top?"

"Yep! See you Shinji!"

As they walked away, Chad shot a distrustful look over his shoulder.

. . .

Ichigo had left once again right after school to go and catch another hollow. Hinata had found herself walking home with Uryu.

"Uryu, why haven't you told them?"

"Huh?" He asked, pushing up his glasses.

"Silly, you don't need to pretend. I can feel your feelings of uselessness." She reached out grabbing his hand.

His eyes began to fill with tears that he seemed determined not to let fall. "What else can I do though? I have lost my powers to help protect anything." He swallowed. "I lost the ability to protect you."

She shook her head. "Uryu, your powers aren't gone."

"Hinata, they are gone. I've tried using them, but they're gone."

"They are still there, just smaller." She reached out and grabbed his other hand as well, looking him in the eye. She focused hard and transferred some of her quincy spiritual pressure over to him, careful not to allow any of her Shinigami or hollow to cross the link. "Try now."

She could tell he was humoring her as he went to draw his bow. His eyes widened as it materialized; it was fragile and flickered before it collapsed. He looked up at her with hope filled eyes. "What did you do?"

She smiled. "I gave you a little of my spiritual pressure. Without having a little of your own power, it would have been completely rejected." She squeezed his hands.

"Can you give me more?" She could hear the desperate tone in his voice, his plea for help.

She shook her head. "If I gave you more, it would just collapse like it did before. You need to find your own powers and grow them again."

"How do I do that?"

"Uryu, you know more about Quincies then I do. You will figure it out."

They had arrived at Ichigo's house then, and he walked her to the door. She was about to open the door when it flew open and Isshin was standing there. He glared at Uryu.

"Hello, Mr. Kurosaki."

Isshin seemed to look the boy up and down. "Who are you?"

Hinata gave a giggle. "This is Uryu. He is my friend!"

Isshin's eyes fixed on their hands. Uryu quickly pulled his out of hers before pushing up his glasses. "Sorry Hinata, I have to go. Have a pleasant evening." With that, he turned and walked away.

Isshin watched him until he was out of sight before smiling at her. "My daughter!" He scooped her up into his arms giving her a big hug. "How was your day?"

"It was great, dad! There is a new kid at school who is super old!"

"What do you mean he is super old?"

"He's around Uncle Kisuke's age!"

. . .

When Ichigo had finally made it home, he was exhausted. They had gone to his room where Hinata sat teaching him what he had missed. Kuon sat on her shoulder watching them as they worked, asking a question every once in a while.

"Do you think Rukia will come back?" Hinata looked up Kuon who had spoken.

Ichigo was the one to answer; "I'm sure she will come back."

"Really?"

Hinata nodded. "She loved it here; she just needed to finish a few things."

There was silence as Ichigo worked on his homework. "Can I stay in Hinata's room?" Kuon asked.

Hinata was about to answer when Ichigo shot forward, grabbing Kuon and glaring at him as he growled, "No." before he could say anymore though, his badge went off. "Sorry Hinata, looks like I have to go." He grabbed the badge, knocking himself out of his body before taking Kuon and placing the green soul into his own body before jumping out the window.

Kuon popped his shoulders before turning to Hinata. "So what do you want to do?"

She smiled. "Want to follow Ichigo?"

Kuon gave a smile and a shrug. "Why not?" He reached down, picking her up in his arms before looking out the window both ways before jumping out.

When they found Ichigo, Hinata was surprised to see Shinji standing behind him.

"Who's that?" Kuon asked.

Hinata's eyes narrowed as Shinji swung his sword down towards Ichigo. She grabbed her own badge and threw it the man. Shinji seemed to have been about to say something when the badge collided with the side of his head, throwing him back a few feet. With shocked eyes, he turned in time to receive a kick to the face.

Shinji turned to find Ichigo's body with its foot still raised. In his arms was the girl Kisuke had told him about.

Shinji smiled, "Well, at least now I don't have to go and find you."

Ichigo's spiritual pressure rose with his anger. Moments later, Hinata felt the appearances of several strong hollows. Kuon stiffened under her as he turned to look in the direction of the hollows that had appeared.

Shinji smirked. "See, I told you. It's because you didn't check your spiritual pressure."

Ichigo yelled, "Who are you!"

"You really want to know who I am?" Shinji's eyes lit up. As he drew his hand to his face Kuon stiffened, staring at Shinji before jumping backwards. Hinata grabbed Kuon's arm to keep from falling. She had also felt the rise in hollow spiritual pressure. "Recognize this?" Shinji's voice came out distorted like a hollow's.

Hinata's eyes narrowed at Shinji; even though he was part hollow, she couldn't feel any killing intent coming from him. "Kuon, take me to the hollow."

He looked up at her questioningly, but with a nod he took off.

"Hey!" she heard Shinji call out as they ran, but his voice was cut off by a clang of swords.

"Leave her alone!" Ichigo yelled.

Kuon ran at full power to make it to Uryu. Hinata could feel his frustration. There were several spikes in spiritual pressure that Hinata thought where Quincy weapons. When they were almost there Hinata jumped out of Kuon's arms, throwing herself and grabbing Uryu out of the air as the hollow extended its tongue to grab him. As she collided with him, she felt another spike in spiritual pressure as a quincy arrow flew through the air, severing the hollows tongue.

Hinata landed on the ground holding Uryu before placing him on the ground. He cast a look towards her, then to the man with white hair and glasses who had appeared. "Tsk, tsk, how clumsy, Uryu."

Hinata watched the man curiously. To her surprise, Uryu grabbed her arm and pushed her behind his back as he pushed up his glasses. "You," Uryu growled, trying to keep the surprise out of his voice, "Ryuken."

"Is that any way to address your Father?" the man asked, walking closer.

Hinata peered around Uryu's shoulder, understanding making her eyes widen. She tugged on Uryu's sleeve as she whispered, "You told me your dad wasn't a Quincy. How come I never got to meet him before?"

"You haven't changed, Uryu." Ryuken was acting as if Hinata wasn't even there; his attention was focused solely on Uryu.

Hinata sensed another hollow, and turned around, drawing her own quincy bow instinctively. Two arrows shot towards the monster hanging above hers and Uryu's heads, killing it instantly. Hinata didn't know whose arrow had reached first, but she could tell that Uryu's dad was powerful. Uryu grabbed her hand, causing her bow to vanish.

"So this is the quincy girl you've been training," Ryuken said, advancing further, finally taking notice of Hinata. His eyes widened briefly when he saw her, but then he returned to his normal glare.

"Leave her out of this," Uryu spat. "It's none of your business."

"Oh, really? Tell me, Uryu, why it is that she has better control of her power than you do if you're the one who's been training her? "

Uryu ignored his question, squeezing Hinata's hand tightly. "Why do you have the powers of a quincy? You despise quincies. I thought you gave up your powers a long time ago."

Hinata brought her free hand to her mouth, trying to keep from giggling as Uryu's dad pushed up his glasses the exact same way that Uryu always did. She could tell that they didn't get along, but neither of them seemed to know just how alike they were to each other.

"You're a fool, son. And you're rude. I chose my words very carefully. 'I'm not interested in quincies. And you don't have the talent for it anyway.'"

Hinata's eyes narrowed at that. She pushed past Uryu to stand in front of him. "That's not true! Uryu's a great quincy!"

Ryuken's lips twitched upward in a half smile. "This is none of your business, girl. If he had the talent, then why did he lose his powers so foolishly?"

"Hinata, don't," Uryu whispered, trying to pull her back again.

"Unfortunately," Ryuken continued, "my powers are harder to get rid of than his were. Whether I'm 'interested' or not, I am the sole heir to the powers and skills of the late Soken Ishida. He is the last quincy." Ryuken held out a quincy cross that looked different from the one Uryu wore and the one he had given to Hinata.

Uryu's eyes widened when he saw the cross. Hinata just crossed her arms, refusing to budge when Uryu tried moving her again.

Ryuken's expression was one of amusement once again. "What is your name, girl? You're almost as rude as my son is."

"Hinata," Hinata answered coolly. "Hinata Kurosaki."

"Funny, I don't remember Isshin having another daughter."

Uryu finally managed to pull Hinata behind him again when she heard Isshin's name. "You know my dad?" Before he could answer, another hollow attacked from above. Ryuken didn't move this time as Hinata drew her bow and killed the hollow.

"Interesting." Ryuken was avoiding Hinata's question. "It seems as if you're a better teacher than student, Uryu. Kurosaki, you're dismissed."

Hinata stared at him. Uryu turned and gently pushed her down the street. "Go, Hinata. This is between me and him. Go back to Ichigo."

"But – "

"Go!"

Giving him a quick hug, Hinata ran off towards where she could sense Kuon. The last she heard of their conversation was "I can restore your powers . . ." before she was out hearing range. Kuon wasn't far. He had been fighting hollows while she had been with Uryu. She turned and looked back towards where she had come, but decided Uryu was right. She couldn't help him right now. She had to help Ichigo instead.

. . .

Isshin sensed the appearances of several hollows. Over the past year, it had become easier and easier to sense them, and today he almost felt like a soul reaper again. Before he knew it, he instinctively stepped out of his gigai. It felt . . . wonderful! He turned around and stared at the gigai for a moment before dancing around happily. He had thought he'd never be able to be a soul reaper again!

He quickly scanned for Ichigo's and Hinata's spirit energies before slipping back into his gigai. There were a lot of hollows, but he knew Ichigo was more than capable of taking care of himself. He shifted his attention to Hinata; she was surrounded by hollows and was fighting alongside Kuon, Ichigo's substitute soul. Without a second thought, he raced towards his daughter.

Once he neared where they were fighting, he abandoned his gigai, enjoying the freeing sensation once again. He peered around the corner to see Hinata and Kuon taking a moment to recharge before the next hollow attacked. Grinning, Isshin jumped out, knocking Kuon out of the way as he drew his sword. "How 'bout you play with me instead?" he taunted.

"Hi daddy!" Hinata called as she sprung forward, a sword grasped in both hands. "Watch this!"

Isshin stood frozen as he watched his daughter fearlessly and effortlessly slice through the hollow with her sword. Despite his desire to protect her, he felt tears of pride welling up in his eyes. "That's my girl," he whispered.

Hinata landed gracefully as the hollow dissipated and turned with a wide grin on her face much like the way Masaki had used to look at him after fighting a hollow. She rushed into his open arms, giving him a surprising bone-crushing hug. Isshin took a moment to wonder how exactly Kisuke had managed to merge her hollow spirit with a gigai, but the moment passed as she lifted her head and kissed his cheek.

"Daddy wanted to kill that hollow," Isshin whined, squeezing Hinata in a tight hug.

"Oh, sorry," Hinata giggled. "You can kill the next one, daddy."

"What the . . . how . . . ahhh?" Kuon gasped from behind them.

Isshin had forgotten Kuon was there. However, another hollow was approaching, and so he released Hinata, forgot about Kuon again, and sprang forward. He landed behind the hollow after slicing easily through its mask. "Ha! Too easy!" he laughed. His sword vibrated in agreement; it had been too long since they had fought hollows together.

The sound of clapping drew his attention. He turned and bowed as Hinata clapped and cheered for him. Kuon was still sprawled where Isshin had knocked him over and was staring at him in shock. "You look so good as a Shinigami, daddy," Hinata said, slamming into Isshin's arms again. Isshin was impressed that Hinata's momentum forced him back a few feet.

"Thank you, dear," Isshin said, kissing the top of her head. "It's nice to be free of that gigai."

Hinata giggled. "I agree!" She pulled free of his arms and slipped out of her own gigai. "Look what Uncle Kisuke taught me! Carriage of thunder, bridge of a spinning wheel. With light, divide this into six! Bakudo 61 Rikujokoro!"

At first, Isshin was startled by the burst of Hinata's spiritual pressure as she left her own gigai, but his jaw dropped open as she performed a Bakudo on herself. To his surprise, she had the yellow bars of light around her waist and was spinning around as if the Bakudo were a skirt. He clapped for her benefit, but inwardly he was cursing Kisuke. Why had he taught her such a high level Bakudo?

Speaking of the devil, Kisuke Urahara appeared at the end of the street, casually walking forward. "Long time no see, Isshin. Beautiful skirt as always Hinata!"

Hinata's Bakudo shattered as she spun and ran into his arms. "Uncle Kisuke!" she cried, flying into his arms. Isshin couldn't help smiling when Kisuke barely managed to stay on his feet after the force of her impact. "Ummm . . . you know Ichigo's coming, right?"

"He won't be here for a while," Kisuke assured her. "There are more hollows that he's going to take care of first, and he knows you're not alone."

"Ok!" she said brightly.

"So," Kisuke said, turning his attention to Isshin now, "how does it feel to take the form of a Shinigami that you abandoned twenty years ago?"

"So-so," Isshin said, acting aloof.

"Don't lie, daddy! You're so excited to be out of your gigai!"

Kisuke chuckled. "Your daughter is one of the most innocent and honest people I've ever met. You really shouldn't lie in front of her."

Isshin scowled. Unfortunately, Kisuke was right; he couldn't lie in front of Hinata.

"Is your heart free of guilt now?" Kisuke asked.

"Somewhat . . ." Isshin said slowly. "Truth is . . .I never hated hollows like that. But, if there was something that I haven't been able to get over during these past twenty years, it was my inability to save Masaki that night."

"You haven't changed one bit. With that attitude, you really resemble your children."

Hinata giggled. "That's what momma said too! She told me daddy was a lot like me."

Both men turned to stare at the girl. "Momma?" Isshin choked.

"Yep! In here!" she said, tapping her head just below the bone clips in her hair.

Both men relaxed; she must call the person in her inner world her mother.

"Oh," she said as an afterthought, turning to Kisuke again. "Shinji isn't very happy that I ran away to fight hollows while he talked to Ichigo. Ichigo doesn't like Shinji much."

Isshin sighed. "Just like you predicted. They contacted him."