I do not own Bleach or any of the characters, all rights go to Tite Kubo
The first thing he saw was snow. It was falling as softly as a feather, as beautiful as anything the heavens could create. He wasn't cold, despite the snow. It was as if the falling snowflakes and the icy wind were protecting him from all the evils in the world. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he got up. It was then that he realized something: he had no clue as to where he was, who he was, what he was doing in the clearing, or anything else for that matter.
A soft gasp caught his attention. Right across from him was a lady hunched with age and a young girl clutching at the lady's sleeve desperately, as if warning her not to come closer.
"Child, why are you out here?" It was the old lady who spoke.
He shrugged, unsure as well.
"I see. Well, it's cold out here, if you don't have anywhere else to stay, would you like to come with us?"
He hesitated for a moment, but as soon as he met the older woman's kind eyes, he found himself nodding.
She smiled warmly and reached out to take his hand, it was only then he realized how truly cold it was.
The three of them continued on a half buried path, the little girl sneaking peeks at him every so often, while he continued to marvel at the old lady's warmth. Finally they reached a small, slightly rundown house that he would soon call home.
"Um, I-I'm Hinamori Momo, what's your name?" The girl stuttered.
He shrugged.
"Oh, um you don't have a name?"
Again he shrugged.
"Gomen." She whispered. "Granny, is kind isn't she? She found me years ago , just like you."
"She is kind." He whispered.
"Oh, so you talk? Come child, change into these in the back room." The old lady chuckled softly as she handed him thick, warm clothes.
Once he finished changing he made his way back to the main room. There the old lady and the girl, Hinamori Momo, were drinking tea under the kotatsu, the old lady held out a cup to him, beckoning him to come closer.
"Here, this will warm you up. Don't worry it's just green tea." The old lady finally coaxed him into drinking the warm and savory liquid.
"It's good." He whispered quietly.
"Yes it is. Now I heard from Momo here that you don't remember your name. Do you, perhaps know where you are?" The old lady inquired.
"No, I don't remember anything." He answered quietly.
"I see. Well this place is what some may call heaven, although it certainly does seem like a misnomer, but this place to be precise is where souls go in order to be reborn once again. It is the place of second chances after death."
"You mean to say, we're dead?"
"Yes that's right. Now we don't remember our human lives, which would explain, to some degree anyway, your memory loss."
"I see."
"Well, since you don't have a name, would it be alright for me to give you a name?"
"Yes please."
"Thank you." She smiled a genuinely warm smile. "Let's see how about, Hitsugaya, Hitsugaya Tōshirō. How do you like it?"
"It's nice." He said smiled in return. "But what should I call you?"
"Just call me Granny." Granny answered chuckling a bit.
"Granny," Momo interrupted suddenly. "Shiro-chan needs a birthday too!"
"What about today? And my name isn't Shiro-chan, it's Tōshirō."
"Now, now." Granny replied softly laughing at their antics. "Today is a wonderful day for Tōshirō's birthday. Come now, let's toast for Tōshirō."
