Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo. I am just his loyal subject :)

Summary: Ever since Aizen betrayed the Soul Society, things haven't been quite the same, especially between friends Toshiro Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori. Feeling ashamed of her actions, Momo has felt embarrassed and withdrawn from her old childhood buddy. It's even worse now that she realizes she has feelings for him, with Toshiro completely oblivious. Will Momo be able to thaw his cool exterior or will this winter last a lifetime?

THE LONG WINTER

CHAPTER 1

Momo smiled slightly as she glanced at Toshiro across the square talking with Captain Ukitake. She loved how he always looks so stern and serious, as if he has something to prove. He is a captain of the 13 court guard, what more does he possibly have to prove? And she especially loves seeing him in his captain's haori. The stark white robes complimenting his sleek, white hair; green sash clashing with turquoise eyes. Just the fact that he is a captain, the youngest ever, with all the authority and strength it entails, makes him that much more appealing.

"So, did you?" Rangiku inquired, eyes closed briefly and smiling at Momo.

Momo broke her gaze, shaking her head, startled. She was so lost in thought that she had forgotten she was involved in a conversation.

"Sorry, what did you ask?" Momo flushed, lowering her head.

"I was asking if you had fun last night at the barbeque. Has Izuru finally asked you out properly?" Rangiku nudged Momo.

"Oh, hush! He is just a close friend," Momo insisted honestly, blushing again and glancing at Toshiro. Only... he was gone. She sighed and looked back at Rangiku.

"And how was your night? Did Shunsui finally ask you out properly?" Momo looked suggestively at Rangiku.

"What, me and Shunsui?" Rangiku waved her hand, chuckling, her bubbly personality overflowing. "Shunsui loves all the ladies. But, he's actually quite the gentleman. He walked me back to my room and everything," She said matter-of-factly, lightly smiling. "But nothing happened," she turned serious for a moment, her expression softening after seeing Momo's doubtful look. "Honest!" Rangiku added.

"Did you want something to happen?" Momo asked as she glanced around, trying to find where Toshiro ran off to. She wasn't particularly interested in the answer. Not that she is insensitive; quite the opposite, in fact. She just has her own love issues to deal with at the moment.

"What a silly question," Rangiku laughed. "He's my drinking buddy, you know that. Everyone knows that." Rangiku's eyes sharpened as she glanced over Momo's shoulder. Momo turned to see the object of her attention, and quickly spotted Toshiro, her heart leaping. When she turned back, Rangiku was gone, leaving Momo standing alone in the middle of the square. She rubbed her arm uneasily and looked at the ground as Toshiro approached. Ever since the incident with Aizen, she has felt ashamed and embarrassed, especially toward her old friend. The way she treated him...

"Hey," Toshiro said, trying his best at a warm tone. It is hard for him, she knows.

"Hey..." Momo replied, a smile playing at her lips.

"Where did she disappear to?" Toshiro mumbled, mostly to himself, eyes searching around suspiciously.

"Oh!" Momo gasped as Rangiku flash stepped right behind Toshiro, hands covering his eyes, her breasts enveloping the back of his head. Momo wished she could be as playful and carefree around him as Rangiku. Their relationship comes so naturally, two polar opposites that hold an unspoken bond so strong. She remembers a time when their own relationship was once so playful, until...

"Guess who!" Rangiku exclaimed.

Toshiro's mouth formed a thin, straight line, his eyebrows dipping below Rangiku's fingers, making Momo's heart jump once more. She loved his rigid expressions.

"Can you stop with the childish games, Rangiku?" Toshiro replied, his voice weary.

"Hey! How'd you know it's me?" she wondered.

"How could anyone not know it's you?" Toshiro replied in an aggravated tone, breaking free from her grasp. "Enough with all this. There is work to do."

"Aw, you're no fun," Rangiku pouted, her voice still playful.

"You had fun yesterday." Toshiro scolded. "Today is a day for work... I'm serious," he added as Rangiku mocked him behind his back, making Momo chuckle.

"You're always serious," Rangiku reminded him. "Well," she said while stretching, "What kind of work do we have today?"

"Not we. You," Toshiro replied sharply.

"What do you mean..." Rangiku began to protest.

"I was working all morning while you slept in. Remember 'only five more minutes'?" he eyed her pointedly.

"You're punishing me for five minutes?" Rangiku demanded.

"You said that fourteen times!" Toshiro fired back, his stern expression back in place.

"So what are you going to do then?" Rangiku pouted, "Go have some fun?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm going to take a nap," Toshiro stated, and as Rangiku began to stammer he closed his eyes and sighed, silencing Rangiku.

"Well," Rangiku sighed dramatically, resigning herself. "What work do you have for me then?"

"It's all waiting for you..." Toshiro began.

"Oh! Captain Ukitake!" Rangiku yelled, waving as she ran over, hooking her arm through his. She glanced back at Toshiro as they walked away together.

Toshiro closed his eyes tight, annoyance on his face. After a moment, though, his expression faded and he opened his eyes to Momo looking back at him. For once, she was looking at him in the eyes. Lately it seemed she would always turn away, never meeting his gaze. After a brief moment, though, she looked away. Several moments passed with neither saying a word, an awkward stillness in the air between them.

"Well I guess it wouldn't be Rangiku if she voluntarily did any work, huh?" Toshiro broke the silence, looking after the direction of his lieutenant. Momo was still silent, looking down shyly at her feet.

"Momo, I.." Toshiro began, but she quickly spoke up.

"Well, I need to get back to Captain Unohana," she said suddenly. "She's expecting me," she added timidly, almost meeting his eyes. "I'll see you later," she smiled sadly and began to walk away. After taking several steps, she glanced back, Toshiro still standing there watching after her. She kept walking, her feet feeling like lead, tears stinging at her eyes. It would be so easy to tell him how she felt. It should be so easy. They've known each other forever. There's a chance he might feel the same way. At least a small chance... maybe. He can be so incredibly hard to read, yet there could be signs. The way he risked it all for her, even after she accused and attacked him. The way he tried to cheer her up after everything that happened. He must feel something, too, after all these years.

Momo stopped dead in her tracks. It was now or never. She suddenly felt brave after months of despair. If she didn't act now, in this moment, she didn't know when she would have enough courage to do this again.

"Shi..." Momo began as she spun around to face him. But once again, he was gone. Momo's head dropped, her shoulders slumped. Never, then.

Just then, she felt hands on her shoulders, straightening her up. Next a hand slunk under her chin, bringing her head back level. For a fleeing moment, she thought her every wish and dream had come true. She was being comforted in the arms of her one true love.

"Chin up, Momo," Renji said... and her spirits crushed.

"Oh, hey, Renji," Momo said, her tone expressing her feelings.

"Hey! I thought you'd be happier to see me. I am just back from the world of the living you know. You haven't seen me in weeks," Renji said, frowning. "Why do you look all depressed anyway? If it's because of Aizen, I'll.."

Momo shuddered at the name, blinking hard.

"No, it's not that," she began.

"Then what is it?" Renji asked, his kindness betraying his gruff exterior. He has always been such a good friend to her. She's never been fooled by his tough guy attitude. He looked at her, genuinely concerned, making Momo laugh aloud.

Renji jumped back, pointing a finger at her, "Hey! Just what have you heard about me while I was gone, anyway?" Renji assumed from her laughter.

Momo continued laughing, her spirits lifted, and began walking. Renji caught up at her side. She is grateful to have him, he always lightens her mood.

Toshiro arrived back at his room and gently slid the door open. Without turning on the light, he walked in and drew the shade. Walking over to the bed, he spread out his arms and fell backward onto it. A hint of a smile came to his face thinking of Rangiku. She tries her hardest to avoid anything work related, most of the time to annoy him, he thinks. Yet she always comes through in the end. And she is loyal to a fault, always by his side when it matters... and always there to push his buttons.

Letting his guard down, Toshiro closed his eyes, wishing to sleep. Yet as soon as he closed them, Momo flashed through his mind. He opened his eyes abruptly, sighing, unable to get that sad look of hers out of his head. "Why does she feel so uncomfortable around me?" He thought, "There's no reason... Things weren't supposed to be this way!" She already apologized, and he truly forgave her. He was never upset with her to begin with, he never could be. None of this should have ever happened.

"If it wasn't for that damn.." he thought, Aizen flashing through his head. He breathed out heavily, fog on his breath. He shouldn't think of things like this when he is trying to sleep. Unsure of whether he was more angry at Aizen or his lack of protection over Momo, he forcefully shut his eyes and willed himself to sleep with no success. He needed to think of something a little more cheerful to calm his mood. Immediately, an image of Momo came to mind. Just a simple image of her smiling at him, her deep, brown eyes filled to the brim with delight. He felt a warm ping in his chest, a feeling he wasn't quite sure the meaning of. All he was certain of at this moment was that Momo made him happy, and he was going to do whatever it took to make her happy again. Pondering the types of things that could possibly bring her back her happiness, Toshiro slowly drifted to sleep, a small smile almost forming on his lips, his hand subconsciously slipped over his heart.

Next, in Chapter 2:

What does Momo see while on her way to see Toshiro? Who is there to comfort her? Tears! Joy! Heartbreak! Love! Stay tuned!

Sit tight, HitsuHina lovers. ;) Just enjoy the ride! xD