Hinamori was arrested by that stare. She was barely cognizant when Hitsugaya stepped in front of her; she stared over his shoulder, her eyes locked with Frau's, searching those blue irises from some sign of the playful light that had once lingered there. When she could not find it, she began to cry. Her eyes remained open—still searching, still hoping for some glint of recognition—as tears slid down her face and she drew her sword.

She screamed silently inside. How can you... how dare you threaten my people, my friends... Her hands tightened with frustration at the thing that had done this to Frau; this wasn't him, this wasn't his fault—some thing had done this to him. It was that thing that she wanted to destroy; some part of her itched to do it, itched to act, to reach forward and physically tear this thing out of him with her bare hands. But she couldn't, she was still helpless: she didn't know how.

She knew that if the last barrier broke, she would die to save Hitsugaya. It was unhesistating, certain; she would step in front of him and take every blow to prevent him being hurt. She would take all of it—Frau's pain, Hitsugaya's pain—she would bear it all, if only they could be happy again. If only they would laugh and play like they had before. She would even settle for their glares and arguing—that was right, the way it was supposed to be.

There was no choice, no decision-making on her part. It was simple: I have to save them.