Summary of the last five chapters:

Forced into an arranged marriage, Momo Hinamori, a noble, escapes to the world of the living with her bodyguard Kasuti Aren. There, they encounter Toshiro Hitsugaya who, believing they are soul reapers of the thirteen court guard squads, takes them with him back to the Seretei. However, it is discovered that she is actually a runaway noble and she has to convince the Head Captain himself to let her stay as a soul reaper. Successful, Momo is now a member of the tenth division. But there seems to be strange things happening, between Kasuti's past with Lieutenant Shuhei Hisagi and the strange man named Izuru Kira who seems to remember Momo from the soul reaper academy which she never attended...

Momo's P.O.V.

I sighed heavily, my shoulders sagging slightly as my eyelids drooped further and further as I failed in my attempt to stay awake and alert. I was startled when the main screen door slid open. Jumping up to sit straight and blinking my eyes which were on the brink of sleep, I tried to look as energetic as possible. My captain walked into the room, short but sure strides bringing him to his desk.

Well, rather my temporary captain. The arrangement was only for the time being. Kasuti wasn't in the tenth division with me though, the head captain believing her to be better suited to the second division. Soi Fon would keep a close eye on her, so it was really a precaution. I didn't expect them to trust me immediately… but Kasuti attended Shin'ō academy for soul reapers. She's been in their system before. Then again, with Sosuke Aizen's recent betrayal, I supposed everyone was on their guard. And they had good reason to be.

But she didn't complain about being in the second division, except when it came to their vain lieutenant and the lacking female population, despite there being a female captain. The second division was not for the faint-hearted, Kasuti had quickly learned and loved. There was something more alive about Kasuti in the last month. She was more daring and lively, excitable and energetic. As a bodyguard, the girl was silent and subtle, like she was expected to be. But in the Seretei, she was in her element. I couldn't help but remember how she had trained for years to become a soul reaper and that had been snatched away by sorrow and grief. Kasuti had a second chance, and it was obvious to me she didn't plan on wasting it.

"Are you tired Hinamori?" Toshiro Hitsugaya's voice broke through my train of thought, snapping me out of my dreamy state. Between looking dead from lack of sleep and not focusing, I wouldn't have been surprised if he had thought I was a serious waste of space in that moment. Until I met his eyes. A single snowy eyebrow was raised, not in amusement or anger. Just curiosity.

"N- no Hitsugaya-kun- I- I mean captain Hitsugaya! I'll get back to my work now…" I stammered, blushing in all my mortification. How could I be so stupid, referring to a captain so casually? I was cringing so badly at the thought of my slip-up. I didn't dare to look up and see his reaction. But then I heard the sound of the shuffling of papers and allowed my gaze to slip upwards just the slightest. He slid a thin folder out from under his never-ending stack and swiftly signed the sheets inside before calling my name. I jumped when he did. He held out the folder expectantly.

"Take this to lieutenant Hisagi. And get some rest. If you run into Matsumoto on your way… make sure she gets home, alright?" I nodded, smiling appreciatively at his thoughtfulness, and with a small bow - it still felt weird to bow to other people- I left the office. I took a deep breath as soon as I was out in the tenth division's main courtyard, looking up towards the luminous moon. It was so pretty. Already feeling refreshed by the cool night air, I flash-stepped to where I believed the ninth division was.

Luckily, unlike when I tried to find most other divisions, I got there without any difficulty. There was no one in the courtyard, everyone either already gone asleep or out enjoying their Friday night like Rangiku. The office was dark and silent when I soundlessly entered, carefully avoiding any floorboards that looked like they might creak noisily. I didn't want to wake up anyone who might be sleeping nearby.

The only source of light came from the next room which was brightly lit and it somewhat illuminated the office, long shadows stretching across the floor and desks. I was about to just leave the file on the main desk and make my way back to my barracks when hushed whispers caught my attention. They were coming from the next room. Suddenly feeling intrusive and uncomfortable with the obviously hushed and secretive conversation, I turned to leave. But I froze it my place when I heard a voice say my name. My breath caught in my throat. Slowly, I edged a little closer to the whispers, gulping as I did.

"She looks like her, she has the same zan-pakuto and name. I don't know how, but it's her Renji, I know it is." I could tell who had spoken by the voice. It was the man with the blonde hair who had claimed to know me on the day I first arrived in the Seretei.

"But not all of the pieces are adding up. She hasn't a clue who any of us are and doesn't remember ever bein' in the soul reaper academy. But I gotta agree with Kira, it's her Renji. I saw Captain Hitsugaya's profile on her. She's a proficient kido user and her zan-pakuto is Tobiume." Lieutenant Hisagi's voice.

"Guys, Momo went missing after graduation, before she was even assigned a squad. And you're saying this girl has memories of an entirely different life. If that girl is Momo, then someone or something completely altered her memories. But as for the purpose of doing that… Rangiku, she grew up with your captain, right? " I didn't recognise the third voice.

"Yeah… but he doesn't seem to have any memories of her either-" Creakkkkk. I had stumbled back onto a loose floorboard at Rangiku's agreement. I scrambled to my feet and flash-stepped out of the offices, hearing the screen door that had separated me from the conversation open quickly as I disappeared out of the main door. I flash-stepped until I reached an alleyway and crouched down there, carefully controlling my breathing as I listened out for even the slightest movement in my surroundings. I waited several minutes, before slipping out of the alleyway and making my way back towards the ninth division offices, the folder in hand.

I was lucky that I had been quick enough to grab the folder on my way out. Hopefully, I wouldn't look suspicious if I only came along now. They'd expect their eavesdropper to be long gone, not to come back. I felt guilty for being so deceitful even though I was the subject of the conversation. But something was strange and honestly… I felt afraid that they might be onto something. What if the entire life that I knew was a lie? A fabrication? There was something dark and terrifying about the prospect. I knocked loudly on the door and entered when I heard Lieutenant Hisagi call for me to enter.

"Sorry about the late hour Lieutenant, Captain Hitsugaya asked me to give this to you." I tried to keep my voice steady and polite as I did my best to ignore the tense silence in the next room. I handed him the folder and he nodded in response, his eyes fixed on the folder instead of my face. I bowed slightly and forcing a small smile, I left, with my hands empty but my mind full.

I got transferred a month later.

Captain Hitsugaya and Rangiku were both being sent on a mission to the world of the living and it wasn't confirmed how long they would be there. Apparently, the third seat opposed to my remaining there in their absence. It was the sixth of September when I was told. I had to have moved into the thirteenth division's barracks by the next morning.

"Don't take it personally. People move squads the whole time, especially when you're only starting off." Rangiku had offered a sympathetic smile when she told me. I smiled back, but inside I was heartbroken. It felt like a stab to the back. Especially when Captain Hitsugaya didn't speak to me following the news. He didn't have any reason to, but it still hurt.

Kasuti was also moved, but that was because she kept having 'slightly violent fights' -her words- with the second division's lieutenant. Apparently, he even promised the squad that he would upgrade the barracks if she got moved to another division -she beat him every time-. She ended up in the sixth division, under Captain Kuchiki but would be moved to the eleventh if her 'erratic' behaviour resurfaced.

The threat didn't bother her as much as it should've. I could see it in the way she spoke about it, so peppy and cheerful at the thought of fighting, at the thought of winning. She already trained with a couple of squad eleven's seated members sometimes. I declined her offer to join them, because frankly, they were intimidating. She laughed lightly when I told her as much and agreed that they looked like that but weren't all bad if you actually got to know them. Whether she actually made it to the fight with Aizen or not, she was practicing like she was going to. She was betting on it.

"You can see it in his eyes, how proud he is. He's pretty fair, usually, but I know he judges me for training with the guys from squad eleven. But I can't blame him for it. I guess I'd be a little irked if it were me. Proud like that and then someone going out of their way to train with a different squad!" I lay back on the grass beside her, exhausted from our sparring session. I didn't understand how she had the energy to even speak. But the thought of my new life, of finally being where I had always wanted to be, caused words to spill out of my mouth in reply.

"Captain Ukitake is so kind, but I can't help but worry about him when he's so poorly. Kiyone and Sentaro are always fighting too, about everything. But… it feels like home. Not my mansion where I used to live. That was a big, empty house. This, this feels like home." Kasuti didn't speak right away and for a moment it was like time was frozen, in that single peaceful moment, I felt content. She stood up then and offered me a hand which I gratefully accepted. She grinned widely.

"It feels amazing, right? Like you really belong." I didn't reply because her words made perfect sense. They fitted. I nodded instead and smiled back.

"Captain! I have news! Several arrancars entered the world of the living and fought against Captain Hitsugaya's advance squad. Everyone was badly injured but are due to recover. Rukia Kuchiki sent a message saying she will be returning soon to train for the war in December." It was only a coincidence that I was speaking with Captain Ukitake when the messenger came, and luck that he permitted me to stay. His face was grave when he heard of the injuries but nodded with a small smile when informed of Rukia's return and dismissed the messenger.

My heart had dropped into my stomach when I heard that everyone had been badly injured. I didn't know why but I couldn't help but immediately think of Captain Hitsugaya. I couldn't help but want to see him in that moment, to check that he really was okay. The next moment, I couldn't figure out why I had suddenly been overwhelmed by such fear and concern. I barely knew Toshiro Hitsugaya, only for the last two months or so. It was human to be worried, but I felt so uneasy and frightened, alarm gripping my heart tightly.

Dismissing the feelings which I couldn't quite understand, I began to dwell on the fight itself. Captain Hitsugaya was so strong, everyone said so. If he was injured, then fighting against the arrancars was truly a terrifying prospect. I could feel my eyebrows knit together, in both apprehension and dread. I was grateful for Captain Ukitake's change of subject.

"It will be a good opportunity to train with Rukia. She's a very talented soul reaper, as are you. Both of you will benefit I'm sure." I smiled and thanked him for his compliment. The genuity of it touched my heart. It was normal to come to the offices on business, with some paperwork or other but it was just as common to leave after a short but pleasantly engaging conversation with the kindhearted, white-haired captain. No matter what the topic, he was always interested and curious. I had only been here a week but was already extremely fond of the man.

"Will you train with your friend from Captain Kuchiki's squad again this evening?" he questioned as he signed off several sheets, trailing a finger down the page as he scanned its subject matter.

"Not tonight. She's meeting with Lieutenant Hisagi," I answered honestly. He smiled a little, his eyes curious and amused. "They were friends in Shin'ō academy but there was an incident and they both thought the other was dead. I think they're trying to clear up a lot of things for the sake of the friendship they had," I elaborated.

"And for the sake of another they might have," Captain Ukitake added and I couldn't help but smile in entertainment at his comment, which suggested a possible development in the relationship. I had thought the same thing more than once. I was starting to see the appeal of the meddling Rangiku called 'matchmaking'. I left the offices several minutes later and returned to my barracks, where I planned on reading some of my novel and getting a good night's sleep.

It had been a while since I could return to my barracks so early. I yawned widely as I closed my door behind me and made my way to my bathroom. I cleaned my face and brushed my teeth, my actions slow and lethargic. I hadn't realised how tired I really felt. I combed through my thick, dark hair with my fingers and tied it into a loose side ponytail. I didn't plan on falling asleep while reading. I didn't think I would. Slowly but surely, I slipped into my dreams.

"Oi, bed wetter! You're going to miss it!" a voice called. I stand up, my small hands holding a large plate of watermelon slices. I hurry out of the room and into the sun's dwindling light as it begins to disappear behind the horizon. The sky is streaked with brilliant pinks, oranges and gold. I stop for a moment, in awe.

"Hey, I want some watermelon, give it here!"

"You're so impatient Shiro-chan! Don't eat it too quick or you'll swallow the seeds." I say.

"Why would I do that? I'm not an idiot like you." He sticks out his tongue in between bites but i just shake my head and smile good-naturedly. I can feel his turquoise eyes on me. Those beautiful, deep eyes that always look exquisite and unique no matter how many times I see them. I turn to give him a questioning look but his gaze has already returned to the sunset, slight pink dusting his cheeks. I only smile fondly at his nonchalant expression.

But then his face blurs and my surroundings warp into something else. It's cold and dark. So dark. I am on the ground, my cheek sore as it lies on the uneven and sharp gravel. And I am not alone. Shadows loom over me. I can't make out any details.

"How d'ya know this'll work? Is that hollow really able t' alter memories?" A voice answers, but I can't make it out. The temperature drops. I am enveloped in darkness.

I was beaded with sweat when I woke at three in the morning, panting heavily and trying to muffle my terrified sobbing. I didn't know why I was crying. I didn't why I felt so scared. I paced, I made tea but nothing helped. It was five o'clock before I stopped trembling and I stiffly returned to bed, my eyes sensitive and my body freezing.

I didn't get any more sleep, panic-stricken at the thought of returning to the darkness, that black abyss. I tried to focus my fear on the aqua-coloured eyes of that boy, those stunning pools of aqua, that were suspiciously similar to Captain Hitsugaya's.

A/N: I'M BACK~~

Let me know what you thought, reviews are really appreciated :)

-FrozenC ^.^