Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! (I only own the OC characters) All copyrights of this series goes to Tite Kubo. All poetry is made up by me.

Synopsis: Hitsugaya and Hinamori were once strangers to one another. But before they knew it, their lives intertwined. They grew up sharing the same experiences together: from first meetings to the Shinigami life to parenthood and finally to love.

I am feared by many
Often left alone
I stayed within the security
Of Obaa-san's presence
I've always believed
There is no other person
In this world
That loves me for who I am

Before I knew it,
We met for the first time.

-- Hitsugaya Toshiro --

Before I Knew it...

Chapter One: We Met for the First Time

He peeked through the window to find children like him playing kickball together. How envious he is. However, he could never do that. The reason is this: everyone fears him, Hitsugaya Toshiro, the young boy who lives with his grandma in the First West District of Rukongai, Junrin'an. "And I thought this place is supposed to bring you happiness," he muttered under his breath.

"Toshiro," said a voice from behind.

Quickly turning around, the white haired boy saw his grandma. He could tell; she is worried about him. "Why don't you go outside and play with the other children?" she asked. "Having company is good for you."

"Daijobou Obaa-san," he replied as he gave her a faint smile. "I like to watch them rather than play."

He knew he couldn't keep up with the excuse. She knows him too well. He's quite lonely.

"I should go and buy some rice grains in town. We're running out."

Before she could say anything, Hitsugaya already left the house on his own. Worried about his behaviour, Obaa-san could only say his name. "Toshiro..."

By the time he came back with the grain of rice, Hitsugaya opened the front door. "I'm home Oba--"

He was stopped by the stranger who sat on her knees, looking back. Wearing a short light brown short sleeve yukata, she had raven hair that is tied up in low pigtails and soft chocolate brown eyes. "Toshiro you're home," Obaa-san said as she entered the room. As she sat down on her knees in front of the low table, Hitsugaya asked, "Is she a friend of yours Obaa-san?"

"No, we just met," the girl replied. "She found me in the backyard a little while ago. She felt sorry for me and decided to take me in."

"Hmm..." he said with brief interest.

"Since she has no other other place to go, she's going to be living with us from now on. So be nice to her Toshiro," Obaa-san said.

Slowly nodding with agreement, Hitsugaya obediently understood. However, the only thing he's worried about is her attitude towards him. Is she going to be like everyone else? Is she going to fear his strange white hair, his scary emerald-teal eyes, or most of all, his cold like attitude?

"My name's Hinamori Momo," the girl said. "What's your name little boy?"

Crossing his arms over his chest, he gave Hinamori a short glare. "I'm not a little boy, it's Hitsugaya Toshiro."

"How old are you?"

"That's none of your business."

"Did you live here for a long time?"

"Lost track of time."

"Ne, why are you acting so cold?"

"Just shut up."

As she watched the two now family siblings talking with one another, Obaa-san knew they were going to be getting along just fine.

LATER AT NIGHT

Though she only lived within the household for only a few hours, Hinamori already felt right at home. "Good night Obaa-san," Hinamori said.

"Good night Momo," she replied back.

Turning to the other side of her futon, she was about to say good night to Hitsugaya when she noticed he wasn't there. "Obaa-san, where is he?" she asked.

"He must be on the roof," she replied, "looking at the stars."

"Really? I want to go and watch them with him!" Hinamori excitedly said as she threw the bed covers to the side and quickly got out to find Hitsugaya.

Obaa-san couldn't help it but smile. The things that go on in this house isn't going to be the same.

OUTSIDE

He felt right at peace whenever he looked at the night sky. As he watched the stars twinkle down at him, Hitsugaya felt all his troubles just disappear. "If only that can be done in reality," he whispered.

"What can be done in reality?" asked a voice behind him.

When he turned around, Hitsugaya saw Hinamori climbing onto the roof. "It's you..."

By the time she got on, Hinamori sat next to the white haired boy. "Tell me!"

"That's none of your business."

"You know, keeping all that to yourself is only going to cause you pain. I think it's best to tell someone about it."

"I told you already; it's nothing important."

"Fine, if you say so."The next few minutes were silent.

Because the two just met, they didn't really know what to say to each other. For Hinamori, she wanted to get to know him better. Besides, he is the one who she is going to live with for quite some time. "Can I ask you something?" she finally asked.

"Hm, what?" he replied without paying attention to her.

"Is your hair real?"

Suddenly giving her a stern look, Hitsugaya turned his attention to her and said, "Hah? Of course they're real. What kind of a question is that?"

"Really?" she asked as she moved closer to stroke his white hair with her fingers. "Wow, they are..."

Quickly brush her hand away with his, Hitsugaya said, "What are you trying to do?"

"Ah, gomen. I thought it was real, but I wasn't so sure. So I had to ask."

"Tch, well now you know. Happy now?" Hitsugaya asked as he crossed his arms over his chest and turned his body away from her, "And what do you mean I wasn't so sure?"

"Well, it's just...you're only about ten years old and you already have white hair. That's why."

"Oh that," he said as he scratched the side of his head, "I always had this hair colour. I don't remember the reason why."

"I see. Well, it looks nice on you."

Upon hearing that, Hitsugaya felt touched by her words. Who would have thought that he could be complimented for his appearance.

"Ariga--"

"You're just like the winter's snow. Yeah, just like that," Hinamori interrupted. "Wait, I know! I'll call you Shiro-chan!"

"Hah?! Shiro-chan?"

"Yeah! From now on, I'll call you Shiro-chan."

"Oi! Don't call me that!" he retorted.

"Ah look! A shooting star!" she exclaimed as she stood up to watch a few fly by.

Holding her hands up together in front of her, she said, "Hurry, make a wish!"

"Why should I?" Hitsugaya retorted as he half turned away. "It's childish."

As she tilted her head forward, Hinamori silently made her wish. "I know, but at least we still have a few years left of youth. Someday, we won't be children anymore; we'll become responsible adults. With that, we cannot do a lot of child activities anymore. So in the meantime, let's enjoy it while we're still young."

With those words said, Hitsugaya couldn't help it, but silently agree. The two siblings continued to watch the shooting stars fall.

"Life isn't so bad after all," he whispered to himself.

"Hm, did you say something?" Hinamori asked.

"I didn't say anything."

"Oh, okay then Shiro-chan."

"I told you, don't call me that!"

"Obaa-san's right. Having company really does make life easier."

AznVKai: Okay then, here's the game plan: this HitsuHina fan fic is going to have around 13 chapters. Yes it's quite a bit. So bear with me. I'll do my best to update as soon as I can. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please review! Thanks.

Chapter Two Preview:

The years have been good to me
When you're there with me
But when you decided to leave
I could only hope
For your return

Why did you leave?
I don't want to go back
To those days
Where I felt lonely and unwanted
Why must time always move forward?

But when I saw him
In my dreams
And she sensed my leaking powers
I knew, I must leave this place
To learn how to control my reiatsu

Before I knew it,
We are Walking on the Same Path

-- Hitsugaya Toshiro --