Ah! I missed the November deadline! Oh man, I can't believe it. I just can't. I was so far into it at the beginning of the month, then took a week-long break from it to draw some stuff, then I couldn't get back into the feel of writing. I actually only finished writing this out on paper on December 9, during my Spanish I class, I believe.

Disclaimer: What would make you think I own Bleach?

Bleach: The Second Hogyoku

By Kouzumi93

Chapter Four

The next few days were a blur for most. Hitsugaya's condition had improved to stable, but Unohana stated that he was in a coma and she couldn't tell how long he was going to remain that way. Hinamori would visit him every day, doing for him what he hadn't done for her in their reversed roles: she talked to him.

Matsumoto awoke the day after the battle, asking about her captain the moment she was given the chance. Everyone had been instructed not to tell her the extent or severity of his injuries or even the fact that he was in a coma, as Unohana did not want the lieutenant to fret and neglect herself while she was still healing.

Ikkaku, Kira and Hisagi had been discharged after only three days, having healed rather quickly. Kira and Hisagi visited Matsumoto frequently, calming her worries and telling her to focus on getting better before anything else. They had actually even tried to sneak some sake in to her, but they got caught red-handed and were reprimanded.

Ichigo had gone home the evening after the captain's meeting, telling them that he was going to talk to Urahara and see if he couldn't get any more information off of him. He was sure that there was something that the shady shopkeeper wasn't telling them, he just wasn't sure what it was.

The gloom that hung like fog over the Seireitei was unbearable for most and would only get worse with time.

Exactly one week after the event in the World of the Living, another event happened in the Seireitei, one that was unpredicted, unseen and unprepared for.

The day began just like all of the other days. Paperwork was done and duties were neglected. The tenth division was trying to pull itself back together with the hospitalization of their commanding officers. A few of the other divisions had stepped up to give as much help as they possibly could and soon there after, the division was at least running smoothly again.

In fact, if one would have entered the Seireitei around this time, it may have seemed normal. One afternoon around one o'clock, the normalcy would be shattered, possibly beyond quick repairs.

Hinamori was leaving the Fourth Division after her 'Daily Hitsugaya-kun Visit' when she sensed something behind her. She spun around, her hand already on Tobiume's hilt, but there was nothing there.

Am I going crazy? I know there was something there!

The bushes behind her began to rustle. Hinamori drew Tobiume quicker than she ever had before. "Dare da?" She called out, but received only more rustling as her answer. A gap opened up between the leaves and out stepped something that she had not been expecting.

A cat.

Hinamori sighed as she sheathed Tobiume, stepping closer to the feline. "Here, kitty, kitty. Are you lost?" As she stroked the cat's back it purred wildly, glad for the attention it was receiving. Suddenly, it seemed to see something behind her that scared it, as its back arched and it hissed, dashing away from her in a flash.

"Eh? What did I do?" She asked to the cat that was no longer in sight.

A moment later, a cold, heavy hand clamped down upon her right shoulder. "Long time no see, Hinamori-chan." Hinamori turned her head to the side to look into the ever-squinting eyes of a traitor.

"Ichimaru Gin!" Hinamori pulled out of his grasp, shocked at his sudden appearance. Her hand grazed Tobiume's hilt yet again. "What do you want?" She hissed.

"Aizen-sama wants to speak with you. I was not informed of all of the details, but I suppose he feels bad for all that he's done and he'd like to make it up to you. What do you say? Would you like to come to Las Noches?"

There was a long pause as Hinamori thought about her response. "I..."

~Fourth Division~

~Matsumoto's Room~

Matsumoto was beginning to understand why it was that her captain would always break out of the Fourth Division when he was injured or sick. It was so quiet and white that one could easily go insane after only a short period of time. It had been a week since she had awoken and the lack of information regarding her captain was not doing much to help lift her spirits, either.

She sighed, staring out the window at the blue skies beyond it. She wanted nothing more than to be out in the fresh air with her friends, but instead, she was cooped up in what could have passed as an infirmary in a jail.

I need to get the hell out of here. With that thought in mind, Matsumoto pushed off the stark white blankets and put her shihakushou on. As she dressed, she decided that she probably wouldn't be able to get too far away if she tried to walk through the halls -she'd probably get lost or caught- so the window was her only option.

In less than six minutes, Matsumoto was safely away from the unbearable whiteness of the Fourth. Looking around, she realized that she didn't know where she was, but her determination for temporary freedom refused to let that get in her way.

After a moment of walking slowly, she felt a pair of familiar reiatsu on the other side of a building to her right. She leapt to the roof and peered over the side to see who the two were, as they seemed distorted and she couldn't quite place them. One was in black, the other in white, one with dark hair tied in a bun, one with short silver hair.

Gin! She realized immediately.

Hinamori had just stood up as she watched a cat tear off quickly. Ichimaru was standing behind the girl, not moving or saying anything. Matsumoto wanted to call out a warning, but something told her to wait and let it play out for a moment longer.

Ichimaru put his hand on Hinamori's shoulder and after a brief pause, the girl spun and spat something out angrily. Matsumoto's childhood friend began talking quietly, but Matsumoto couldn't make out any of the words he spoke.

Gin...what are you doing here?

While Ichimaru spoke, Hinamori's expression calmed and almost looked peaceful, causing Matsumoto to guess that he was telling her something that he knew she would want to hear, just to get something he wanted.

What do you want from her?

Matsumoto knew that the only thing she could do was to send a message to the closest captain and have them send backup. Being sure never to take her eyes off of the two in the street, she created a jigokuchou, gave it a message and sent it off.

I just hope this will be enough.

~Yon Ban Tai~

~Unohana's Office~

Unohana sensed that Matsumoto was leaving the yon ban tai taisha, so she sent Isane out to follow her for a while. If Matsumoto would try to do anything that she shouldn't, Isane was to bring her back to the division immediately.

Only ten minutes after Matsumoto's 'escape,' a jigokuchou made its way into her office. It floated right to her and landed on her shoulder and Matsumoto's distress message was quickly relayed.

Unohana-taicho! Ichimaru Gin has appeared in the Seireitei and is confronting Hinamori Momo. At my distance, I can not hear their conversation, but I am afraid that it can not be a very good one. In my weakened condition, I do not believe that there is very much that I can do, so please come quickly!

The butterfly disappeared and Unohana calmly stood up from her desk. She picked up Minatzuki and left her office, no intention to fight, merely capture the traitor and question him beyond all reason.

~Matsumoto~

A moment after the jigokuchou had left, a figure moved up next to Matsumoto on the rooftop. She turned her head slightly to see that it was Kotetsu Isane, the lieutenant of the fourth division. Isane looked to her and their eyes locked for a moment before both women looked back to the scene that was taking place not too far away.

Nothing seemed to be happening. Hinamori was standing there, looking elated at something that had been said. Isane and Matsumoto could only conclude that Ichimaru had said something to her -an obvious lie, of course- and something bad was going to happen.

Just then, a garganta opened up right behind Ichimaru. The gate obstructed the two women's views of the area below, so neither of them would be able to know that was happening. It was that exact moment that Unohana-taicho appeared just to the right side of the gate, facing it but looking at Ichimaru.

Things were just beginning to get interesting.

~Hinamori~

"What do you say? Would you like to come to Las Noches?"

Finally, Hinamori answered carefully. "I...I don't know..."

"You should probably decide quickly." Ichimaru snapped his fingers together and a garganta formed behind him. "I don't thing this gate is going to wait for too much longer, Hinamori-chan."

Hinamori stared into the endless black abyss that led to the world of the Hollows. The portal that would take her to her beloved captain. She tried to think of reasons to go and reasons to stay, but she could think of nothing that really outweighed the other. She was stuck: Hitsugaya or Aizen.

"Have you decided yet, Hinamori-chan?" Ichimaru asked again, not really having much intention to let her make her own decision.

"I..."

Just as Hinamori was about to complete the response that she kept getting stuck on, she was interrupted by Unohana's arrival.

"Ichimaru Gin, what is your business here?" The fourth division captain asked as she slowly approached the traitor and the current fifth division lieutenant.

"Ah, Unohana-taicho, you arrived much earlier than I anticipated. This ain't good." Ichimaru grabbed Hinamori's wrist. "I guess I'll get going before this gets too out of hand." Pulling Hinamori with him, Ichimaru dove into the awaiting garganta.

Unohana didn't make much of a move to stop the former captain, but she was surprised at his aggressive kidnapping of the fifth division lieutenant. Once the garganta had closed itself, Unohana looked up at the roof where Matsumoto and Isane were still crouching.

"Matsumoto-fukutaicho, Isane, you can come out now."

Immediately following that statement, the two lieutenants stood up and jumped down from their perch. Isane went right over to her captain while Matsumoto only stared longingly at the place where Ichimaru had been standing only moments earlier.

"For now, I think it would be best if neither of you mentioned this event to anyone else. I'll speak with Yamamoto-soutaicho and see what needs to be done. Is that understood?"

"Hai, Unohana-taicho." Isane replied as she turned to see Matsumoto's downcast form. "I'll escort Matsumoto back to the barracks."

"Alright. I'll see you in a little while, then." Unohana said as she took her leave of the two younger shinigami.

After Unohana left, Isane carefully approached Matsumoto, touching her on the shoulder in an attempt at comforting her. "Come along, Matsumoto-san. Let's get you back to your room."

The tenth division lieutenant nodded lightly and Isane guided her back to the fourth division. Once they arrived, Isane took Matsumoto right to her room. The tenth division lieutenant had not spoken a word during the entire trip, but Isane was sure that she couldn't blame her. She had been through so much in the past week, what with not knowing about her captain's condition and all of the problems with Ichimaru.

Isane left Matsumoto's room quickly and made her way across the division to Hitsugaya's room. The small captain still had not woken up, but his condition did seem to be improving a little bit each day. Unohana had said that under normal circumstances, he would probably be waking up soon, but the shock of finding out about the Hogyoku might be holding the boy back from consciousness as he questioned and studied his past.

When Isane had left Matsumoto's room, she had a feeling that she was going to be followed for a while. She knew that she shouldn't let Matsumoto follow her to Hitsugaya's room, but the strawberry-blonde haired woman desperately needed some peace of mind and Isane didn't want to deprive her of it.

As she arrived at the door to the young captain's room, she turned to where Matsumoto was concealing herself around the corner. "Matsumoto-san, I know you're there, and I know that this is why you followed me." She motioned to the door to her right.

Matsumoto stepped out of hiding. "So you knew I was there, then?"

"Yes. I know you've been wanting to see him, and you seem so depressed right now, so I'll let you in." Isane paused. "I hope you don't feel even worse after this." Isane took a step back to allow Matsumoto to enter the room.

"Thank you, Isane."

Matsumoto cautiously entered the room and her eyes fell upon the form on the bed in the centre of the room. She was horrified at how vulnerable and lifeless her captain looked as he lay there unmoving. Never before in her life had she seen him so helpless and she couldn't help but to put some of the blame upon herself for letting herself be dragged away by Ichimaru.

She took another step into the room. "...Taicho..." She whispered almost inaudibly.

The busty lieutenant continued to advance slowly upon her captain's bed, stopping once he was within her arm's reach. The machines hooked up to him continuously beeped, but Matsumoto paid them no mind. What had caught her attention was the look and colour of his face. His expression seemed to be locked in place and was somewhere between sheer torture and peace and his skin was nearly as pale as his hair, which had also lost its usual glow.

Now Matsumoto herself felt helpless. She couldn't do anything to help his condition and there wasn't much that she would be able to do for revenge. His wounds had most definitely been dealt by Aizen himself, whom Matsumoto would stand no chance against. Hell, she hadn't even stood much of a chance against a fraction of Ichimaru's strength, and he was probably weaker than Aizen.

I'm so useless.

Matsumoto reached out to touch her captain's hand, but recoiled upon contact. He's so cold...She turned to the shinigami waiting at the door whom she was grateful to beyond all reason. "How long will he be like this?" She asked desperately.

The other woman sighed mentally, having known that they would have to explain this eventually. "We're not entirely sure. While his condition is improving regarding his injury, we're not sure how he is mentally at this moment."

"Mentally?"

"Yes. I would explain, but I think this is something Unohana-taicho wanted to speak with you about. That, and you need some rest after all that's happened today." Isane approached Matsumoto. "Now let's get you back to your room."

Matsumoto was silent as she gave one last look at her sleeping captain. "Yeah. Thank you again, Isane."

Isane nodded an acknowledgement and the two made their way back across the compound.

~Captain Meeting~

Seven captains filed into the meeting room on the First Division to find that Unohana and the Soutaicho already there and waiting. Everyone took their positions and Yamamoto banged his staff on the ground, signalling the start of the meeting.

"It appears as if Aizen Sousuke has begun to make his move. Approximately one hour ago, Ichimaru Gin appeared before go ban tai fukutaicho, Hinamori Momo, and we believe him to have asked her to join him in Hueco Mundo. Upon the arrival of yon ban tai taicho, Unohana Retsu, the traitor took Hinamori-fukutaicho and fled the Seireitei.

"While Aizen's motives still remain a mystery to us, we do not think this is over yet. We believe that in the coming weeks, more shinigami will end up being taken, most likely those who are higher up on our hierarchy. All of you are to keep a close eye on your high-ranking officers and be alert for any reiatsu that seems out of place."

Various thoughts ran through each captain's mind. Soifon wished they would free her of her lieutenant, but figured he was too stupid and useless for them to want him. Kenpachi was bored and wanted the meeting to end, although the possibility of getting to fight soon made him excited. Mayuri thought of all of the wonderful experiments he could run on the traitors if he found them first, deciding that he would make them turn to pulp before handing them over. Komamura contemplated all of the wrong that Tousen had done and how he only wanted to bring him back onto the path of justice before he was too far gone.

"If anything occurs, you are to immediately report it to me. I will then notify the rest of you about the change in the situation, rather than calling a meeting for every single incident. That is all. You are dismissed." Yamamoto rapped his cane on the floor once more to end the gathering.

The captains exited the room as quietly and quickly as they had entered, some with perplexed looks upon their faces as they tried to work out the kinks in the ideas they had about Aizen's plans. Didn't want to believe what they were thinking.

Ukitake and Kyouraku went to Unohana immediately for more inside information. Unohana had expected this and she led them to her division where they would be able to talk in private better.

The three captains entered Unohana's office and shut the door tightly behind them. The fourth division captain sat behind her desk as her two companions sat in the two armchairs that were tilted to face the desk at an angle.

Kyouraku was the first to speak. "I think there's more to this story than we know. We figure that he's going to use the Hogyoku on Hinamori-chan, but his true motives are still clouded thickly..." His voice trailed off, his thoughts dragging him into one of his ideas. "How is Hitsugaya-taicho doing?"

"His condition has improved greatly, but I do not believe he will be waking up for a little while."

"A little while being how long?"

"It's hard to say. It could be another week or a month. Maybe longer. We can't tell how he is reacting mentally to the ordeal, so it's all really up to him."

"I suppose that is a good thing. With him caring so much for Hinamori-fukutaicho so much, I don' think her kidnapping would do too well for his recovery." Ukitake added with a sigh.

"I agree. Upon his awakening, it should be kept quiet until I think he can handle it. When that time comes, I will tell him carefully myself." Unohana decided.

"Somehow, I'm not sure that breaking it to him carefully will work as well as we plan. With his personality, I'm sure he'll take it as if we're trying to treat him like a child. But if we were to be blunt with him, that might not turn out well either." Kyouraku thought out loud.

"So, regarding that matter, we're back to square one." Ukitake noted.

"Perhaps we should discuss this at a later date when there is more information available." Unohana stood from her seat, her chair making a scratching sound as it was pushed back.

"Agreed." The other two captains followed suit and thereafter emptied the room of their presence.

~Hueco Mundo~

Hinamori gazed around the room she had been placed in. She wouldn't call it a cell, since it felt too homey and comfortable to be so, but there were bars on the high window that she couldn't dream of reaching and the door was surely locked so she couldn't escape too far.

Escape.

So inappropriate for the situation. What the hell could she do? Tobiume was taken from her. Where could she go? It wasn't like she could just make a garganta to get herself to the World of the Living. The actual desert land of Hueco Mundo was out of the question as well. She would just be found or eaten out there. She wouldn't even last a week.

Escape.

Wheels began to turn in Hinamori's mind. She couldn't get away, but she could live long enough for the war to end so she could go home. All I have to do is pretend to be my ignorant self and pretend to give in to Aizen-taicho again. That should keep me around for a while.

Unless they were to find out.

Just then, Hinamori heard the lock turning and the door opened, revealing a busty, dark-skinned Arrancar. No, Espada. Her blonde hair was cut short except for three longer sections that were bound with beads. Her uniform consisted of a white top that could barely cover the largest part of her assets and a pair of white hakama pants belted at her hips with a large black sash. The woman's nose and mouth were concealed behind the high collar of her jacket and her green eyes peered out from just over it.

The Espada seemed to be a very calm person, as her entrance was quiet and she didn't look like she wanted to kill Hinamori just by looking at her once. After a short moment of silence, she spoke in a voice lower than Hinamori had expected. "You are to come with me. Aizen-sama requests your presence."

Hinamori nodded and stood up from the sofa where she had been sitting. She followed the Arrancar out of the room and down various stark white hallways. Hinamori paid very careful attention to the path and the surroundings, just in case she would need it at some point.

After only two minutes, they came to a large, imposing door. Harribel knocked politely and someone gave them permission to enter. The female Arrancar pushed open the door and walked in, Hinamori just a few steps behind. Once they were in, the doors slowly closed, leaving Hinamori with no where to run.

The room was dimly lit, but Hinamori could see him clearly. Saw him sitting in his throne at the centre of the room. Saw him looking right at her, his soft gaze and warm smile the same as they always had been.

So kind. So caring. So warm.

And that's what sent every ounce of Hinamori's planning to the dogs.

Just looking at him made her want to be so loyal to him all over again. Be his lieutenant and follow him to the ends of the earth, maybe even beyond that. The scar on her chest dealt by him was now long forgotten as her eyes watered and she stepped closer and closer to him.

Just like that day.

"Welcome, Hinamori-kun, to my palace, Las Noches." He waved his arm out in front of him, gesturing at the walls all around them. "Are you enjoying your time here so far?"

As long as I'm here with you, I'll be happy. Hinamori thought to herself, not confident enough to voice it to anyone else.

"Oh yes, Aizen-taicho. It's astounding that you were able to build such a large place in only a short amount of time." Hinamori replied, suddenly fascinated in the structure that she had been in for a while now.

"This palace was built long before I left you, Hinamori-kun."

"Hontou ka?" She continued to admire the room. Or at least, as much of it as she could see. "That's so incredible, Aizen-taicho!"

Aizen smiled. "Please, Hinamori-kun, call me Aizen-sama. With you calling me Aizen-taicho, I feel as if I'm still part of that retched Seireitei."

"Ah! I'm so sorry, Aizen-tai--sama." Hinamori blushed at having almost messed up.

"Iidesune." Aizen then stood up from the strangely shaped white chair and moved to the right of it. Placing a hand out over the ground, a cylinder shaped structure emerged straight up from the floor, stopping right below his hand. Tapping it open, he reached into it and Hinamori watched, fascinated, as he pulled out a spherical object.

"Aizen-sama, is that...the Hogyoku?" She asked, only slightly worried. Tobiume tried to warn her that Aizen was going to use it on her, but she wasn't listening. Couldn't believe that he would do something like that.

"Ah, so you know what this is, then?"

"Hai. I was told that it was an object that you attained from Kuchiki-san." Hinamori also had not been told of the circumstances behind Hitsugaya's injuries.

"Yes, but do you know what it can do?"

"No, but I'm sure it must be very powerful for you to have wanted it, Aizen-sama."

Aizen took a few steps closer to his previous lieutenant. Hinamori involuntarily took a step back, slightly afraid of whatever the Hogyoku would do. She knew it was dangerous. And yet she trusted Aizen to be good to her.

He was standing in front of her now, holding the purple thing in his right hand. "Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have the powers of a hollow, Hinamori-kun?"

"No, of course not. I never thought that it was possible."

"This tool makes it possible."

With that, there was a bright flash of light as Aizen touched the Hogyoku to Hinamori's forehead. When the light subsided, one could see that Hinamori had collapsed to the floor and Aizen stood over her with a solemn look on his face.

Saving his grins for when there were no subordinates around.

"Harribel, please take Hinamori-kun back to her room."

The Espada, who had stayed silent and in the shadows until this point, nodded and stepped forward, picking the small girl up and taking her away. She closed the door behind her and that was when Aizen's wicked smile broke out.

This was only the beginning.

~Hinamori's room~

Hinamori had only been half aware that she was carried out of the throne room and put back into the locked room from earlier in the day. The pain she felt in her head was tremendous but she didn't know where it had come from. The last thing she remembered was Aizen saying something about becoming a hollow, and the next thing she knew, she was in her inner world.

In her inner world, staring at someone who looked just like her, but had not an ounce of colour on her at all. White hair, black eyes, white Shihakushou, black cloth over her bun.

She looked like a negative of a photo.

"Hello Momo." The opposite-like girl said with a terrifying grin that made Momo want to shiver.

"Who are you?" Hinamori asked, taking a mental note that Tobiume was no where in sight.

"Me? I have no name, but I suppose you could call me Kyuuri."

"Kyuuri? How did you get here?"

Kyuuri looked perplexed and tilted her head to the side. "How? Through the Hogyoku. I, Momo, am your inner hollow."

Be prepared to be taken over, Oh Sweet, Sweet, Peachy Momo. Your days are numbered. And the largest number is a very small one, I assure you.

And Kyuuri began to laugh. Not a kind, gentle laugh like Momo had, but a shrill, maniacal laugh that really did make Momo shiver and her skin crawl. Made her want to cut off her ears and listen no longer.

Aizen-sama, what have you done to me? I thought over and over again that you had saved me from the Seireitei. That my coming here was best for my well being, yet now I find myself confronted with this...thing! This hollow!

Why, Aizen-sama?

Why?

After that, everything seemed to go black.

Translations:

Dare da - Who's there?

Shihakushou - The shinigami uniform

Jigokuchou - Hell Butterfly

Go ban tai fukutaicho - Fifth Division Lieutenant

Yon ban tai taicho - Fourth Division Captain

Hontou Ka - Really?

Iidesune - It's fine. (Not too sure on the spelling or accuracy, but it's not in my dictionary and I recall hearing it a lot with that translation.)

Kyuuri - Cucumber (Chose this for Hinamori cause Momo means 'peach' and I couldn't think of what the opposite was. So we chose this.)

I am so sorry that this got pushed into January. It probably would have gotten even later, but I had a sudden spur-of-the-moment inspiration for modifying the ending of this chapter and the end of the story, so I figured that I'd better get back to work. I'll try to make all of this lateness up to you sometime!

Part of the second to last scene of this chapter was loosely based on a song called 'The Highest Cost' by Son of Rust. I initially had a completely different plan (and actually wrote it all out (I was going to let Hinamori keep up her façade the whole time with Aizen)), but I was listening to the song and, at first, tried to relate it to Hitsugaya and Hinamori, but later decided that it fit better with Hinamori and Aizen. I hope you liked this scenario better. (Basically: I don't like Hinamori much and the other scenario made her seem strong willed and I don't really think she is.)

Review please! Reviews to me are like butterscotch pudding is to my friend Karalea (AKA Puddinmasta): without them, I go crazy. XD (Advice: Never steal someone's pudding. They might try to kill you. Then bring you back and kill you again. (Courtesy of Karalea after myself and another friend took her pudding and hid it from her.)