Don't own Bleach. Meh.

Through the Rain

Hitsugaya stared, arms folded as usual, leaning in the doorway. Fourth Division was quiet this morning; the halls empty. It was still dark outside, and the rain fell in torrents. That could be said for more than just the weather…
It was a cold rain that only magnified the gloom surrounding the hospital in the early hours of the morning. Weeks had passed since Aizen's departure from Soul Society, and yet, Hinamori showed no signs of waking.

The Tenth Division Captain's icy stare never moved from the bed where she lay in deep comatose, his face impassive. That face…he was too good at it, always determined never to show the slightest weakness. We've always been together, you and I. Since we were kids growing up, we've been friends. His glance moved to the window above the bed.
The rain…
He sighed and looked away. His calloused fingers found that knot between his brow, and paused there, rubbing. The rain hasn't stopped. No…I know it won't stop. Not until…

As his eyes found her again he faltered. He motioned as if to move closer, but he remained where he stood in the doorway.
…damnit…How many days has it been? How many times have I come here and not been able to enter this room? I've stood here watching you day after day. Nothing is happening.

…I'm…scared, Hinamori. Scared that you won't ever… From here, you're only sleeping, but…if I…and you don't…
Will you ever come back?

I remember…
All the days you would come by and tell me about the academy, your dreams…and him
"Shirou-chan! Shirou-chan!" always that stupid nickname…baka…
You were so annoying…so predictable…and yet…You were always there. One consistency in my life: you were always with me…smiling. That's…why I…

But then he happened. That bastard who took you away from me. Stole you…all the while deceiving you- causing you so much pain. Ever since the day your scream echoed throughout Seireitei, the horrors you endured since then…you've never been the same. And I could do nothing to ease your torment.

Hitsugaya's eyes narrowed. His fists clenched as he remembered her suffering, and finally as she lay betrayed and dying at the hands of the man she loved...Until now my only wish has been to keep you safe…but…that was the one thing I couldn't do.

Hinamori…gomen.
I was too late.
This is all...my...fault.

As he turned to leave he failed to notice Unohana, captain of the Fourth Division, standing silently in the shadowed hallway.
"Will you still not speak to her?"

Hitsugaya paused without turning around.
"Unohana-taichou…"

"She needs you."

Hitsugaya's chest ached with remorse. I need her…too…but I… "I…I have to go."

Unohana continued gently, "You must have something to say to her…?" She glided past him. "You must care for her very deeply to come here as often as you do..."

Now alone, he turned and looked back through the doorway; the room looked so far away. Hinamori…I… He took a step toward the door, his once-sealed emotions battling with the ice-cold, determined will of the captain he sought to be. She won't hear me. She never has. Besides, what would I say to her? Even so…it's too late now...

…or is it?

But I don't deserve to speak to her. I failed and couldn't save her. He hesitated a moment. But what if…just maybe I... He willed himself forward and through the doorway, entering her room for the first time.

Closing the door, he stopped and looked around. It seemed so much smaller and colder than from where he always stood. The rain outside fell harder, pounding the roof and window, threatening to shatter the tiny little cell. Turning toward Hinamori, he took a deep breath and slowly made his way toward her bedside. He sat down and, taking her cool hand gently in both of his, he gazed upon her and his eyes immediately softened.

She looked so beautiful lying there, even without her amber eyes reflecting the twinkle of her playful smile. That smile… he missed it so much. Her face and form blurred before his eyes as his will melted in defeat under his emotions' fiery strain. The sting of regret and self-loathing consumed him as he hung his head…and cried.
…the rain won't stop…

"Hinamori, I…I'm…sorry."
With one trembling hand he caressed her cheek. For so long he had wondered what he would say, but now that he was here, alone, words just fell desperately from his lips.

"I wonder if you can hear me… They say your wounds are all healed. He…that nightmare is gone from us now…he's finally gone. See? It…it's ok to wake up now." There was no movement. No sign. She merely lay there cold and seemingly dead. The walls seemed to shrink around them both, and inside that dull, dimly lit hospital room, the young captain had never felt so alone. He rubbed her hand and tried to warm it in his. "Hinamori…please…wake up. Please just…open your eyes?…for me…?"

His voice wavered as he spoke to her. Anyone looking on would not have recognized this helpless boy as the usually composed and cool-headed captain he was. With silence as her only response to his plea he hung his head again and was thankful that no one was.

Two hours passed in silence, but Hitsugaya never once let go of her hand. He couldn't. He had to do something, though he had no idea what.
"Hinamori,…forgive me… I wasn't strong enough to save you…but I swear I'll never let them hurt you again." His eyes burned with cold fire as his mask restored itself and left no trace of the weeping boy of only a moment earlier. Clasping her hand, he held it to his own cheek and willed her to wake. "I'm here. Open your eyes and look at me, Hinamori…please."

As he closed his eyes, yearning to hear just one word from her still lips, a hot tear of frustration ran down his cheek and dropped silently onto her hand. His eyes shot back open. What was that!

An almost inaudible sound.
…ch..n…
He almost jumped out of his chair. The young captain's heart raced as he called to her. "Hinamori? Hinamori, can you hear me? Open your eyes!"

The tiniest whisper escaped her pale lips, "…Shi…Shirou…..ch..an…."

"I'm here."
Your Shirou-chan will always be here. He squeezed her hand tighter as the sting from his blue-green eyes threatened to thaw the façade once more.

"Go..men…ne…"
She still did not wake, but a single tear rolled down her cheek. Hitsugaya, his heart feeling like it would almost burst from his chest, brushed it away with his finger and closed his eyes- on his lips a soft smile.

"It's alright now. I'm here…and you're going to be just fine. I promise…" He sat up and glanced toward the window again as he noticed a speck of light fleck Hinamori's cheek. The light grew brighter, and danced off her raven hair, making it shimmer. The clouds outside were breaking…

The sun's rising…he thought, as he smiled and sat forward in his chair once again. The Tenth Division Captain, for once, not caring who was watching, leaned down and delicately kissed her forehead. He whispered to her, "Hinamori…the rain is finally lifting."

Ok! So this is my first fanfic…I know I'm not that good…but let me know what you think! Constructive criticism is welcome!