Toushiro watched Hinamori's injured form. It was all his fault, he kept repeating to himself over and over again. If I had stayed with Hinamori instead of going after Kira...then...then Hinamori wouldn't be here in this bed, injured. He mentally repremanded himself.

He felt Matsumoto put her hand on his shoulder. "Taichou...It's not--"

"No, Matsumoto..." he whispered as he shook his head. Matsumoto squeezed his shoulder lightly before removing her hand. She knew her Taichou would want to be alone now. She looked at Hinamori once before silently leaving.

Toushiro took a step closer to Hinamori's still form. Her chest was rising and falling slowly, which meant she was breathing fine now and she was alseep. He closed his eyes tight, trying to fight the rising emotions. When he opened his eyes he saw Hinamori's cloudy eyes watching him.

He made sure not to let his relief and happiness show. He kept his cold expression and calm voice, "Hinamori?" he whispered to her. Hinamori's eyes fluttered closed for a brief second before they opened again. Her mouth opened slightly then closed again, as if she was trying to tell him something.

Toushiro knew she should breath fine on her own, so he took the mask that assisted her in breathing, off. Hinamori's eyes closed slowly as she took a somewhat deep breath of real air. When she opened them again, her eyes were clear and she had a small smile on her face.

"Tou..shiro..." she whispered to him. He couldn't help but let a smile creap across his face. Hinamori was awake. His love was awake and talking to him...

Toushiro let his hand make it's way to her face. He caressed her cheek with his thumb before letting it fall into her hand. Without a moments hesitation, he bent down and brushed his lips against hers.

He pulled back sligthly to see if Hinamori would allow him to continue. He hoped the blush wasn't the sign of a fever. The slight nod of her head and the small smile on her face confirmed it.

Toushiro and Hinamori both closed their eyes as their lips were pressed together.

Written by; lI x Sora Il {Gaia}

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