"I..." I trailed off. Now that I thought about it, what could I say? What could I do? What exactly could I do that would benefit them to an extent that they'd allow me to remain here? I thought about life before. At home. Spending every single day, studying. Just studying. Work work work. That was all I did.
Classes that would educate me. Classes that helped my manners and such. Classes that helped my fighting skills. Honestly, I'd never had free time to do as I please. Why am I even thinking about this!? I need to focus. I... have to stay! I... I don't think I could bear going back after this taste of freedom.
As well as that, the amazing feeling of actually feeling free and actually being able to look forward to the following day. It was so different but the most incredible feeling. I mean, I'd never even had one day where I could decide what I wanted to do.
Losing your train of thought again Momo! Gah, what's wrong with me? I bit my lip. And then I got the idea. It wasn't very well thought out, the words I spurted out in panic. Panic at the thought of going home. No, it wasn't very well thought out at all.
"I'll assist you in fighting Aizen sir!" I said determinedly looking the head captain in the eye. I could've sworn I saw slight surprise in his eyes, for a millisecond, but I wasn't sure.
"Are you aware of what that may mean, Hinamori Momo?" he asked me, in a serious tone. Well, I suppose his tone is always serious... I thought about it. What he meant by that question, it was obvious.
"I am willing to lay down my life to serve the cause sir! I will do everything in my power to become strong enough that I may fight along side others against the traitors!" I replied to him, my words nothing but the truth. When Matsumoto had told me earlier about the three captain's betrayal, I had been confused but now I was a bit angry.
How could they betray all their comrades?! How could they betray the trust placed in them?! How could they let down those who had looked up to them?! They must have hurt so many people because of what they did and it wasn't fair! It wasn't fair at all! To betray someone's trust. To me, that it is the worst thing you could do to anyone.
Trust... is something I treasure above all else. It's something I've always envied about soul reapers. They are all comrades, who at the end of the day when they fight together, are placing their lives in each other's hands. The thought. I've always thought it's a beautiful thing. To carelessly dismiss such a thing. It's not right!
"Do you mean that, Hinamori Momo?" the head captain's voice bellowed. I looked at him, a fire in my eyes.
"I do sir! Every word!" I exclaimed. It was silent for several moments. So very quiet. So quiet, you could hear a pin drop in that large hall. The sound of a bird chirping from outside disrupted the silence that had previously existed.
"I will arrange for Captain Soi Fon or Captain Hitsugaya to examine your skills, then I will make my final decision. But for now, you may remain," he said closing his eyes for a moment and then opening them. I wanted to jump in joy when I heard him say those words. I could stay. I really could. I'll just have to show this Soi Fon pr Hitsugaya what I can do. Now that I think about they're captains... Eek... I guess I'll just have to do my best and there's nothing else I can do. But, there's no way I'll give up that easily!
"You are dismissed," he said, the end of his cane meeting the marble flooring with a resounding smack. I bowed low to the man.
"Thank you very much," I said, feeling a grin make it's way onto my face. I made my way to the door and turned to bow again before exiting the large room. I sighed in relief as soon as I left.
"You did well in there Hina-Chan," Matsumoto who had exited before myself complimented me. I gave her a smile.
"Thanks Matsumoto-san," I replied happily. Matsumoto was so nice and kind, but I've been getting this sad aura off her too. I wonder if something is wrong.
"Hina-san!" a voice exclaimed loudly colliding with me. I yelled as the breath was knocked out of me when I collided with the dusty ground.
"Ow..." I said quietly, rubbing my head as I sat up.
"I'm so sorry Hina-san! Please forgive me!" a voice said worriedly with a slight hint of fear. They held out a hand to me and pulled me up. I looked up.
"Kasuti-san!?" I said in surprise. The girl looked scared, as she bit her lip nervously. I looked at the girl in confusion.
"I...I... M- my apologies Hina-san!" she said nervously stumbling over her words. I tilted my head to the side.
"What are you talking about Kasuti-san? It was an accident right?" I told her.
"B- but..." she trailed off with a frown. My mouth made an 'o' in realisation. I offered the girl a smile.
"We're equals Kasuti-san. You know I've always seen you as that," I told her smiling. She returned it nervously before glancing over her shoulder quickly.
"Um... Aren-Chan? Where's Hisagi?" Matsumoto asked the blonde. Kasuti laughed nervously and gave her a nervous smile.
"Umm... Well I um ran away?" she said questioningly with a sheepish smile. Matsumoto stared at her silently.
"I'm not following your relationship with him at all. Do you want to explain?" Matsumoto asked, obviously not taking 'no' for an answer. Kasuti flushed.
"R- r- relationship! You make it sound like w- we were actually..." Kasuti stammered, her words slightly muffled as she attempted to conceal her reddened face. Matsumoto grinned.
"Aren-Chan~ Do you by any chance-" the woman started but Kasuti cut her off.
"No! It's not like that. I- I... We went to the shinigami academy together. We were good friends. And well there was this time when we brought our juniors out -" Kasuti began her explanation but stopped herself as her eyes widened.
"Please excuse me I have to go now!" she said hurriedly about to rush off again when a hand gripped the back of her shinigami robes.
"Oi, Aren. I don't remember you being such a coward," Hisagi said in a gruff voice. Kasuti sighed in irritance and glared at him.
"Whatever," she grumbled, her annoyance very clear in her facial expression. He frowned.
"What happened Aren. Seriously. Why can't you just tell me?" he questioned her. She glared at him angrily.
"I thought I was dead at the time too you idiot! I tried so hard not to, believe me! I couldn't leave you fighting that hollow alone. But I couldn't get up. My body wouldn't move. I thought I was a goner, I really did. And then..." Kasuti's voice broke, "I regained conciousness. And when I did there was only two people standing in front of me. Gin Ichimaru and Sosuke Aizen. Do you want to know what they told me?
"THOSE BASTARDS TOLD ME THE HOLLOW HAD MURDERED YOU. ALL OF YOU. AND I LIVED BELIEVING THAT FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS." I stared at Kasuti's face in complete shock.
I was speechless. What.. How... Why... She looked so hurt and angry at the same time. She looked ready to break down into tears. Hisagi's face... More than anything he looked ashamed. Ashamed, shocked, concerned and completely taken aback.
"And then I see you first time in what was like forever. And you start demanding stuff from me, asking where I've been and how I'm alive while I'm still trying to get over the fact that all that time, those bastards had me completely fooled. Did you not even stop for one second to think how I felt about the whole thing Hisagi?!" Kasuti finished, a lone, glistening tear trailing down her cheek. Hisagi had long let go of the back of her shinigami robes. All of us too stunned to even try to stop her, the blonde flashstepped out if sight without another word. Matsumoto glared at Hisagi suddenly.
"You are such a freaking idiot," she said angrily, giving the spiky black-haired man a very irritated look. He didn't reply straight away.
"I... didn't know," he said, his dark eyes downcast. Matsumoto put her hands on her hips and sighed.
"Leave her cool off for now, but later you have to apologise and talk about what happened Hisagi. Idiot, even though you didn't know you obviously didn't stop to think about her. I wonder if you saw her as much of a good friend as she did you," Matsumoto said with a hard expression.
I felt bad, looking at Hisagi's guilty expression. He didn't know... Kasuti was so hurt though. I'm not taking sides, nothing good can come out of that I know...
"Come on Hina-Chan. Lets go," Matsumoto said in a quieter and calmer tone. I gave Hisagi an understanding look before following the strawberry-blonde.
"Um, Matsumoto-san? Are we going back to the tenth division?" I questioned.
"Yeah. I doubt captain will be there though. I reckon the captain's are having a meeting about well you and Aren-Chan," she answered.
"So the captain will know then? Who I am?" I asked, suddenly feeling nervous. She nodded.
"Yeah... It's probably for the best though, you know? He suspected you and well... Right now keeping secrets could really damage the little trust let between us all. Naturally it will just be kept between the high up officers, captains and lieutenants. Neh, Hina-Chan? Was it really that bad? Living the 'good' life?" Matsumoto asked me curiously. I bit my lip.
"How do I phrase it? Of course it was luxurious and all but you had no freedom Matsumoto-san. Hah, before I escaped to the world of the living, I had never seen anything outside our mansion's walls. It was like being caged, confined like an animal. I found that element of it, truly horrible," I said gesturing with my hands at the beginning.
"I guess, at the end of the day. If you don't have freedom what do you have neh?" the ginger-haired replied with an encouraging smile.
"Yes. Thank Matsu- On no! Oh my god how on earth did I forget!? I'm so stupid stupid stupid, how how how did I forget!? Gah-" I started exclaiming.
"Hina-Chan! What's wrong?! What did you forget?!" the tenth division lieutenant yelled trying to get me to stop my blabbering.
"I forgot to mention Kasuti-san to the head captain! I don't know if she's able to stay, b- but she has to be able to b- because..." I began stuttering nervously as I panicked. Where would Kasuti go if she couldn't stay?!
"Don't worry Hina-Chan I'm sure that was where she was going when she rushed off that time," Matsumoto said trying to reassure me. I bit my lip nervously.
"If you say so but..." I trailed off.
"Nah, don't worry. Besides Aren-Chan seems like the responsible type. She'll be fine," Matsumoto told me.
"Now stop being all sad and stuff! I'll show you around. Captain will decide what responsibilities you'll have when he gets back, presuming he's not here," the lieutenant said with a shrug pushing the sliding door open. I blinked. I hadn't even noticed we were back already. I watched Matsumoto enter the office and her face fall as she looked to the left. I stepped inside and looked at the object of her depression.
A desk, I presumed was hers, overflowing in paperwork. I looked at the lieutenant who looked like she wanted to cry. She's really dramatic. I felt myself smile a little. But it's a bit comforting, the attitude she has around me, it makes me feel like I've known her for much longer than a day really. She's not afraid I'll think she's strange or anything but the best part really is she doesn't treat me like nobility.
"Hey Hina-Chan, wanna um help me with paperwork?" Matsumoto asked sweetly with pleading eyes.
"But um I'm not sure I know exactly what to do Matsumoto-san," I said unsurely. Matsumoto gave me a chesire cat grin.
"Nonsense! It's very easy trust me! See you just sign my name right here," showing me with a manicured index finger. I blinked.
"But isn't that cheating? And it couldn't be that much work Matsumoto-san. I want to help you but I don't really think I should be doing that," I told her with a frown.
"Please Hina-Chan~ I'm begging you~" she begged fiving me puppy dog eyes. I bit my lip.
"Well um maybe I could do a little..." I gave in. She grinned.
"Yay! I knew I could count on you Hina-Chan. You're-" Matsumoto started praising me like crazy her eyes sparkling with appreciation but was cut off.
"Matsumoto. Are you trying to throw your work onto one of my squad members?" a voice said, irritance invading their tone. I saw Matsumoto gulp before turning to face the person who had spoken. White hair, turquoise orbs. Ah, the captain. At least this time, I'm not doing anything wrong, right?
"C- captain! I was um it's funny really um haha… Aren't you supposed to be a captain's meeting?" Matsumoto stammered nervously. He scowled and ran a hand through his snowy hair.
"Is it your job to tell me where to be Matsumoto? And stop being so lazy. Honestly… And grow a backbone you. You're too much of a pushover," he said pointedly looking at me. I wasn't being a pushover! I was being… considerate towards my hardworking friend… Yeah…
"Where are you going captain?" Matsumoto asked him. He gave her a deadpanned look making her shrink away from her.
"Just do the paperwork Matsumoto," he stated before leaving. I pouted. I wasn't a pushover… I wasn't! I heard Matsumoto groan in frustration and a small smile of amusement graced my face as she began shoving it under her desk, out of sight. She really must not like paperwork.
"No, it's like this Hinamori. Have your hands together more. You're too relaxed," he told me, demonstrating with his own sword.
"Right," I said nodding slightly and adjusting my grip on Tobiume.
"Your stance is good. You strengthened it like I said last time. Okay, I'm going to slash at you and I want you to defend as you see appropriate," he said. I nodded. I kept my eyes on him, my brow slightly furrowed in concentration. I noticed his muscles tense slightly and he was gone only to appear in front of me going for an overhead strike.
Block. Remember fast reaction is key. I brought up Tobiume and deflected the blow. He pushed downwards. Push them away and slash at their abdomen which will be open. I struggled to hold my ground against him.
If your opponent is stronger than you, sidestep, use the element of surprise to push their blade up and continue in the same direction with a blow to the back. I twisted, bringing Tobiume up and around. I went for his back. He turned quickly and blocked. Flicking his wrists and bringing his sword up, Tobiume was nearly forced out of my grip.
If you find yourself at a disadvantage, put distance between yourself and your opponent. I flashstepped away quickly. I turned and barely blocked the oncoming blow. Use any time you're allowed to prepare yourself for their next attack. I pushed him back quickly, quickly tightening my grip on my zan pakuto. He moved quickly already moving with a blow to the side.
If you want to save energy, avoid the blow rather than meet it and quickly counterattack. I leaped backwards up into the air, making him pause in his attack. I held Tobiume behind me, turning as I neared him again. I swung putting all my power into the strike. He disappeared. Crap. I landed hard on the ground, but managed to stay on my feet. I felt cool metal touch the back of my neck. I panted quietly.
"That was… good. But you need to be quicker," he told me, lowering his zan pakuto slowly.
"Thanks, captain," I replied quietly, sheathing Tobiume. I turned and smiled.
"Thank you for training with me today!" I said happily, bowing.
"Tch, it's not that big a deal. I have work to do. Practice a bit more," he replied turning to go.
"Right!" I said. I'd been here for two weeks and things were going well. I was currently residing in squad ten under the supervision of Captain Hitsuguya Toshiro. Kasuti was with squad two under Captain Soi Fon. I guess it made sense, her strongest style of fighting being hakuda, hand-to-hand combat and second being hoho, speed.
Another thing that made everything much easier was using my real name. There was no danger of messing it up at least. I spent most of my time training, or in the division's offices. I'd gone to see Kasuti a couple times too. She seemed to be getting on okay. She seemed really annoyed at about half the squad who, despite having a female captain, immediately underestimated her. Not the smartest move…
I got a shower and changed, after all that perspiration I worked up in training and decided to go for a walk around the Seretei. I was still getting used to it, plus I liked knowing where certain things were. The different squads and such. Something was still pestering me though. That day when I first arrived. The man who recognized me… 'Kira' as Matsumoto had called him.
He claimed he knew me. He even knew the name of my zan pakuto, Tobiume. He said he knew me from the soul reaper academy, Shin'ō Academy as it was more commonly known as in the Seretei. It was so unbelievable. He knew someone called Hinamori who attended the academy with him who had a zan pakuto named Tobiume and looked like me!?
It was absurd. I never went to the academy. It couldn't be a coincidence… All this is so confusing. I feel like there's something I don't quite understand going on here. Lost in my thoughts I suddenly bumped into someone.
"Oh sorr-" I started to say but froze when I saw who it was.
"You!" I exclaimed. He stared at me in surprise.
"Oh um ah…" he stammered nervously as he slowly backed away.
"W- wait! I- I want to know how you knew me!" I exclaimed waving my hands in front of me to show I meant no harm. Well… I presume that's why he's so nervous. I'm not sure…
"I- I mixed y- you up with s- someone else. S- sorry about that," he said before leaving quickly.
"Wait!" I yelled but he was already out of sight. I sighed in frustration. He couldn't have mixed me up with someone else! People don't have the same zan pakuto! It's forbidden and has never happened before in the history of shinigami! I can't believe I lost my chance to get the truth out of him.
But that was pretty weird… I mean the last day he was so convinced I was whoever he was talking about it. Scratch that, he knew me. He did. How, I don't know, but he did. I have a feeling, if I want the truth, I'm going to have to dig for it myself.
ERMAGOSH UPDATE I KNOW! I'M SOOOO SORRY THIS TOOK SOOOOO LONG! I'VE BEEN REALLY BUSY AND STUFF RECENTLY AS WELL AS HAVING HIATUS AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS :/ BUT IT'S WRITTEN, YOU JUST READ IT! WHAT DID YOU THINK? MOAAAAAR, I'M GOING TO START WRITING MORE HITSUHINA STUFF AND FLUFF SOON I JUST NEEDED TO GET THAT KIND OF STUFF OUT OF THE WAY FIRST AND WHY AM I STILL IN CAPS LOCK? Okay ehem... I hope you liked this chapter! And I want you guys to know I do my best to update when I can :) Hopefully updates will get more frequent some summer holidays ^_^ Just one month left in school oh my god! where did the year go!? I'm going to do my best with this fic over summer because school next year is going to be hectiic. And even worse the year after that! Aggggh, life :3 Please review! You guys are awesome, love you! ^_^ Stay kawaii!
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Review Replies:
KuroNeko6038- Aww, you're too nice! Glad you liked though :3
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yuki- mehehehe, yes they do! Well, they do and don't have a relationship? Haha ^_^ Apologies for the late update :)
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Thank you all who reviewed! I was soo happy to see a couple new reviewers :3 Arigato minna!
FrozenC^^