Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! All copyrights of this series goes to Tite Kubo.

Author's Note: Hey everyone! I'm back with another HitsuHina fan fiction story! Unlike my previous works, I have decided to try something new by UnbelievableAnimeFreak's suggestion in writing an angst story. Of course, I can't guarantee that my skill in writing that genre is good but I shall do my best. Wish me luck! Without any further delay, here is the prologue to this Unforgettable. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." Toshiro's Thoughts. A Mysterious Voice.

Prologue

I hear a voice...

A pair of emerald-teal eyes opened in response to the fierce roar. Wondering where he is, white haired child scanned the area for anything recognizable. However, he couldn't. He is in a middle of a remote field filled with nothing but snow and ice. "Where am I?"

All of a sudden, he felt a strong force blowing against him. He raised both arms to shield his face. Again, he heard the familiar sound.

A loud and thunderous voice...

The boy slowly lowered his arms and opened his eyes to see the surrounding dark shadow below. He raised his head to see a roaring serpent-like beast with wide wings. He gasped and raised his arms once more, bracing himself for the worst.

It's powerful and overwhelming...

However, he didn't feel any pain. Wondering the whereabouts of the mythical creature, he cautiously put his guard down and saw the beast majestically standing before him. With its wings spread out, the dragon let out an echoing roar that froze the land even more.

I wonder...

"Who are you?"

Why is it here...

He could have sworn the beast was trying to tell him something, but its words were drowned by the blistering winds.

...calling out to me?

"What?" he called out. "I can't hear you!"

Tell me...

My name is...

"Ohayo Shiro-chan!"

The white haired child blinked before he realized that he is staring at the all too familiar raven haired girl with chocolate brown eyes. His heart raced at the sight of her soft gorgeous lips close by. Just as he felt his cheeks heat up, the young boy quickly raised his arm and pushed her face away with his hand. "You're too close, Bed-Wetter."

The pig tailed haired girl pouted as she grabbed his wrist and pulled hand away from her cheek. She replied, "Mou, I don't wet the bed anymore."

He sat up and folded his arms over his chest. "Then, stop calling me by that ridiculous nickname."

"Momo." The two children glanced over to see an elderly woman in their presence. "Toshiro, you're awake."

As Hitsugaya nodded with agreement, Hinamori asked, "Is there something you need, Obaa-san?"

"We're almost out of rice," she replied. "Can you go into town and buy some?"

The peach girl nodded her head. "Okay."

Then, she turned to her white haired friend and smiled.

"Let's go together after we eat some breakfast."

Toshiro slowly let out a deep sigh, vulnerable to the innocent puppy eyes she is making. "Fine."

With that said, the pig tailed haired girl happily left the elderly woman and her grandson alone. After observing his behaviour, a soft smile appeared on Obaa-san's face. "Go ahead, Toshiro. I'll make the bed for you."

Hitsugaya replied, "It's alright, Obaa-san. I can do it."

Then, he felt a hand placed on his head. He watched her gently brush her hand against his white hair. "The food's going to get cold."

After a moment, a smile appeared on his face. "Arigato."

With that said, the boy ran off to catch up with his raven haired friend.

"We'll be back soon!"

Momo waved to their grandmother as she and Toshiro are leaving home. "Have a safe trip!"

"We will!"

After a while, Hinamori put her hand down and turned her attention to the front. During this time, Hitsugaya placed his hands together on the back of his head.

"We have enough money to buy something else."

"Hn, is that so?" Toshiro replied.

Momo looked at him and suggested, "If it's cheap, we should buy a nice huge watermelon."

Upon hearing her mention his favourite fruit, the white haired boy's face lightened up. The peach girl giggled.

"You're so easy to read."

Then, his expression turned into a frown. After putting his arms down, he looked away and muttered, "Uruse."

At that moment, he felt strange. So, he stopped and turned around to see what caused him to be on high alert. However, he couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. "Shiro-chan, is there something wrong?"

Hitsugaya immediately shot her a glare. "Oi, stop calling me by that nickname!"

Hinamori stopped and began walking over to him. "Well, hurry up or else we're going lose each other in the crowd."

Then, she extended her hand out and took hold of his. Conscious of the physical contact, he looked directly at her glowing brown eyes.

"Let's go now."

As he felt the blood rushing up to his face, Toshiro quickly let go of her hand and folded his arms. While his head is turned away, he replied, "We're not going to lose each other."

Momo let out a smile. No matter how many years have passed, her white haired friend hasn't changed a bit.

All of a sudden, they heard a series of screams. The two children turned their heads to see people scattering off to the sides. One of them cried out, "We're under attack! Run!"

Then, they heard several roars. They raised their heads to see beasts responsible for the chaos. Toshiro and Momo gasped.

"Hollows are in the area!"

Without a moment to waste, Hitsugaya grabbed Hinamori's hand and pulled her to a run. They heard another roar, but it's louder. Wondering what is going on, Momo glanced over her shoulder and gasped. One of the masked beasts is chasing them. She resumed her attention to the front and called out, "Shiro-chan, it's gaining on us!"

Toshiro hissed between his teeth, cursing over the fact that the Hollow chose them as its target.

Where are they?

Living in one of the safest places in Rukongai, it is rare that Hollows appear in the area. It's all because they live right next door to Seireitei, the heart of Soul Society and home to many Hollow purifiers called Shinigami.

Where are the Shinigami?

Suddenly, he heard a familiar scream. Recognizing it to be Momo's, he stopped and turned around to see her fall down on one knee. He looked ahead to see the Hollow is not too far away. Knowing that they must quickly get to safety, Toshiro began pulling his friend back on her feet. Then, he heard a very loud roar. Just as he turned his attention to the noise, he felt a strong force pushing him on his side. Hitsugaya gasped for breath. Unable to defend, he was knocked away to the side and crashed into a nearby food stall. "Shiro-chan!"

In response to her voice, Toshiro regained his conscious. The first thing he saw was a red stain on the palm of his hand down to his lower arm. Realizing that he's bleeding, Hitsugaya felt a sharp pain on his side. He let out a deep hiss and looked down to see other hand placed over his blood soaking wound. However, he has no time to worry about his injuries. He heard Momo's cry for help and needs to rescue her.

He quickly got on his knees and looked up to see the Hollow has grabbed his childhood friend with its claws. Looking for something to attack the beast with, he found a nearby short knife. He picked it up and ran towards the Hollow.

Upon noticing the white haired boy, the masked beast used its other set of claws and tried to knock him away. However, Toshiro anticipated the move and quickly got down. Using the gained momentum, he slid across the ground and all the way to the monster's feet. He used this opportunity to stab the knife into the centre of its foot. Feeling the pain, the Hollow let go of Momo and cried out loud.

Once she crash landed on the rough ground, the peach girl groaned in pain. "Ow, that hurts."

"Run Hinamori!" Upon hearing his voice, she looked over to see her bleeding friend calling out to her. "Run!"

However, she didn't. Her eyes were too focused on another Hollow that is standing behind the white haired boy. Just as the beast raised its claw, she immediately cried, "Shiro-chan!"

At that moment, Hitsugaya noticed a shadow looming over him. By the time he turned around, the Hollow pierced its claws through his left side. He gasped for breath. Before he could do anything, he was thrown off to the side like a rag doll. Lying on the rough ground, he hoarsely coughed out blood.

"Shiro-chan! Shiro-chan!"

He slowly opened his eyes to see the teary raven haired girl running to his side. Once she got down on her knees, she gently turned him on his back. Upon seeing the wounds on his body, she placed a hand over her mouth to cover her gasp. Toshiro coughed a few more times before he croacked, "B-Baka, l-leave me here."

"No, I won't leave you," Hinamori exclaimed, "not until the Shinigami come and help us!"

Suddenly, he noticed his vision is getting blurry.

Shit, I can't see.

They heard a loud roar. Momo looked over and saw the Hollow marching up to them. Frozen with fear, she helplessly watched the beast raised its bloody claw. Just as it struck its claw down on them, two sword wielding people appeared and defended against the attack. Hinamori immediately let out a smile on her face. She resumed her attention to her white haired friend and said, "They're finally here, Shiro-chan. The Shinigami are here to rescue u-"

She noticed the blood on his left side is still spreading like wildfire all the way down to his waist. She also noticed his breathing has drastically slowed down and his face turning pale.

I don't want to die. Not now, it's too early.

"Shiro...chan?"

Looking in the direction where he heard her, the dirty white haired boy slowly raised his right hand up.

I...still have yet to tell her.

Feeling the warmth of hers placed around his, he weakly said, "Bed...Wetter..."

"E-Everything is going to be alright, I promise," she replied with her sincere smile. "All you need to do is stay awake."

He opened his mouth and tried to say something, but he could feel his strength quickly leave him.

I love you...

With no energy left, he closed his eyes and tilted his head over to one side.

Suddenly, the smile on her lips disappeared. "Sh-Shiro...chan?"

Just as she let go of his hand, she watched the lifeless arm tip over and fall down to the ground. After a long minute of silence, the realization finally dawned to her.

"No..."

Tears began to swell in her eyes as she extended her shaky hand out. Once she touched his cold cheek, her worst fears have been confirmed. Her tears quickly flowed down her cheeks like running water. Unable to contain her emotions, she placed her hands down and cried out to the one who risked his life to protect hers.

"Shiro-chan!"

Japanese World Translations

Ohayo - Good Morning, Obaa-san - Grandmother, Arigato - Thank You, Uruse - Shut Up, Shinigami - Soul Reaper, Baka - Idiot

Author's Note: OMG, it's not even the first chapter and I've already started crying! *sniff* Geez, what is going to happen to me as I write the later chapters? Anyways, before you throw any pointy objects and rotten vegetables at me, Toshiro will come back in the story...somehow. xP All you need to do is stay tuned for my next update! In the meantime, please review with your comments for the first chapter. Thanks!