"Momo, Momo…"
A low voice, warm and familiar, brushed her ear, stirring Hinamori Momo from sleep in a rush.
Startled awake, she sat up and instinctively called out a name:
"Captain Seiya?!"
"Sorry, it's just me—Hitsugaya."
Standing nearby with arms folded across his chest, Hitsugaya Tōshirō looked on with his usual calm.
Momo blinked, then let out a small "Ah," and dropped her head again.
"Shiro-chan…"
Another nickname. Normally, this would be when Hitsugaya corrected her—formality above all in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.
But… not today.
With a sigh, Hitsugaya plopped down beside her.
"You didn't eat anything since yesterday. I brought you some rice balls and tea."
Glancing aside, Momo finally noticed the wooden tray set next to her.
Her face reflected mild confusion. After a few seconds, she raised her hand to lightly tap her forehead—trying to remember.
This place…
It was inside the Tenth Division barracks.
Seeing the haze on her face, Hitsugaya's frown deepened.
"You remember anything about what you did last night?"
"Some… a little."
"You stormed into the Tenth Division, yelling your head off. Even after we explained Captain Gin wasn't around, you kept going."
Legs crossed, hands on his knees, Hitsugaya sighed again.
"Matsumoto tried to calm you down, and you punched her in the face."
"She won't even come out today. Said she looks like a panda."
"If I hadn't stepped in, you'd probably have caused an even bigger mess."
Ah…
Painful memories came crashing back. Momo's hand, halfway to picking up a rice ball, dropped limply. Shame filled her face.
"I…"
"What's the point of explaining to me? You want me to pass along a message for you?"
"…"
"But Rangiku had something to say: she's not mad at you."
After all—
"Captain Seiya means a lot to you, doesn't he?"
For someone that important, a breakdown or two was understandable.
Slightly surprised, Momo looked up. Hitsugaya offered a small, familiar smile—equal parts big-brotherly and exasperated.
"I used to think he was just some manipulative windbag."
"But apparently not. Both my lieutenant and I actually think he's pretty capable."
"And you've grown under him too."
From quiet and easily swayed, Momo had grown stronger, more decisive, now often seen beyond her own division.
Hitsugaya had seen the change firsthand.
And that's why he knew—her emotions were real.
"That guy's going to be fine."
He was a captain of the Gotei 13, after all. Gin's former mentor, no less.
Even if not an ancient veteran like some of the others—he was no lightweight.
"Maybe he's even pulling another of his tricks."
Wouldn't be the first time. How else did someone lose half their soul?
Whether the comfort worked or she'd simply stabilized herself, Momo's face clearly brightened.
"Thanks, Shiro-chan."
"Don't call me that while we're working…"
"But calling you Third Seat sounds too stiff, doesn't it?"
"You can't use nicknames either! What'll the subordinates think?"
Light conversation helped ease the tension.
After some food and tea, Momo rose from the temporary rest room.
Hitsugaya watched her quietly. Then asked,
"So… what now?"
He didn't spell it out, but the meaning was clear: no more aimless running like last night.
Serious now, Momo answered with resolve.
"There's still no word after an entire night. We can't wait anymore."
"I didn't want to trouble other captains, but now it's beyond that."
"I'll report to the Head Captain. A missing captain is serious enough to warrant mobilizing resources."
Hitsugaya nodded. At least she was calm and thinking strategically.
"Not bad."
"By the way—more stuff happened after you blacked out."
Might as well share it all now.
"Renji had a direct confrontation with the Ryoka and lost badly. He's in critical condition."
"Captain Seiya's abduction has spread among the divisions."
"You're not the only one who's worried. Don't bear this alone, okay?"
Calm, rational, never taunting despite having more info—Hitsugaya's demeanor had matured well beyond his rank.
"I see…"
Momo fiddled with her cup, face a bit awkward.
"Even the Head Captain issued a wartime command."
In other words—Release Authorized.
Flash Step and even Zanpakutō release were now permitted in Seireitei.
But Momo focused elsewhere.
"So… even Renji…"
They were old classmates. She knew his strength well—among lieutenants, he was top tier.
Hitsugaya nodded grimly.
"Which is probably why the Head Captain went this far."
"And Renji… did he explain what happened?"
He did—but few believed him.
"Renji claimed the Ryoka who fought him were the ones who abducted Captain Seiya… but Seiya wasn't seen at all."
"A whole captain vanishing? That's hard to buy."
"Byakuya even snapped at him. Said he wasn't fit to be a lieutenant."
"If Unohana hadn't confirmed Renji's injuries, he might've said worse."
Even the normally calm Byakuya was cracking.
"Other weird stuff happened too. Fourth Division's vice-captain fainted. Second Division deployed the entire Onmitsukidō."
"I'll spare you the full list."
But Momo understood—every thread led back to Seiya.
Her brief emotional recovery had unraveled.
Where had he gone?
Hitsugaya saw her slipping. He stood up and forced a more energetic tone.
"Let's take a walk. Thinking alone won't solve anything."
Momo nodded silently. He was right.
"Where to?"
"The Central Judiciary. If there's news, it'll be posted there."
Distance didn't matter anymore—not with Flash Step unsealed.
Momo followed Hitsugaya out into the cold morning air.
Though it was spring, the chill bit deeply.
All across Seireitei, people moved, weary-eyed, unrested.
"We're here."
Hitsugaya tried small talk, awkwardly.
"There's a crowd. Maybe there's an update. Momo, let's—"
He stepped forward.
And stopped.
His words caught like rocks in his throat.
Eyes widened, mouth open in shock.
Even Hitsugaya was stunned.
Momo turned, sensing something wrong.
"What's—"
Hitsugaya whirled around, eyes wild.
"Don't look!!"
He reached for her—
Too late.
She had already looked up.
And saw him.
Seiya.
Pinned high on the Central Judiciary wall.
His Zanpakutō, Sāgara Ryū, inverted and driven through his chest, fixing him to stone.
Blood spilled like blooming roses—staining the walls, soaking down like a crimson tongue.
Crows circled overhead, their black wings fluttering.
One landed on his shoulder.
The harbinger of death, it stared into his lifeless eyes.
A gust of wind blew.
And his head, which had hung upright…
Slumped forward.
His lifeless gaze now cast downward.
From his slightly parted lips, blood—nearly solid—slid free.
Drip.
One tiny sound.
Then Momo dropped to her knees.
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Powerstones?
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