Between the pat on the head and the words of praise, Hinamori may as well have been glowing. It was amazing how the simplest of affectionate gestures from her captain could send her heart racing, could make her feel as though all was right with the world... even if it wasn't their world. So long as Aizen was there, so long as they could go on like this, did it truly matter where they were?

She paused to smile at Okita. "Thank you again, Souji-san." Hinamori was glad he was coming along too -- he definately seemed kind enough from what she'd seen so far. She was looking forward to the chance to get to know him later on.

With that, she turned and moved after her captain. That particular contentment that had come to be associated with Aizen and Aizen alone seeped into her heart again as she watched him, her smile broadening. There were still many questions to be asked. But just for a little longer, Hinamori was perfectly content to let sleeping dogs lie and enjoy the moment. If not for the company they were keeping and the strange landscape spreading out in every direction... it would have felt like they'd gone back in time. Back to the beginning. The lies, the manipulations, the betrayals: it was almost like they'd never happened. Almost like it was a bad dream, just another night terror to be forgotten when the sun rose again.

Her gaze trailed to his slicked-back hair, a faint shadow passing over her face. Almost...

((ooc: *scooches off to new thread* n_n))