Momo looked over the railing at the vast ocean, her gaze rose to the starry night above. Toshiro watched her from the sail above; he admired the way she looked in the moonlight. She wore her hair down that night letting it fly in wind. She was beautiful he thought, it was strange he didn't notice it before. He shook his head, no, she was annoying and rude. She didn't respect him as a captain and she didn't have regard for her own life.
She was so fixed on the constellations painted in the sky she didn't notice the man sneaking up behind her till it was till late, she felt a cold hand wrap around her neck pushing her to the deck floor. Toshiro jumped to his feet holding the rope as balance he slapped himself mentally for not noticing him either. Momo looked into the cold black eyes of her attacker struggling under his grasp.
"Hey girly, your mighty pretty," he used his free hand to caress her soft cheek.
She chocked, "get off of me."
"That's no way to treat me," he whispered in her ear.
Momo used her left hand to lift her skirt slyly pulling her dagger from its belt. She twirled it in her hand before holding it at his neck, "now get off of me."
The man loosened his grasp on her neck; he rose off of her like commanded. She scrambled to her feet breathing heavily; Toshiro used the rope he was holding to swing himself down to the scene. As Momo pulled the knife away from his neck he grabbed her wrist knocking the knife away. He growled angrily as he punched her with his muscular arm. She fell to the ground from the strong impact, Momo stood up quickly spitting out blood from her mouth as the man came at her again; she kneed him in the stomach causing him to heal over in pain. He hastily recovered sending another fist at her but it was caught by Toshiro's right hand.
"That's enough," he hissed furiously.
"Captain," the man sputtered.
"I suggest you get out of my sight," Toshiro barked. The man trembled as he stumbled away from his intimidating captain. Once Toshiro saw his crew member's body fully disappear he turned around to Momo. "Are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Momo lied holding her cheek.
Toshiro rolled his eyes are her attempt to seem strong, "what are you doing out here? I told you to stay in Rangiku's room."
"I know, I just needed to clear my head. It calming being the only one on a boat surrounded by the ocean staring at the night sky. Don't you think so?" she turned to him smiling.
He was taken back by her expression, he hasn't seen her smile once, she was indeed beautiful. "Yea, it really is," he finally admitted. "Are you ok, seriously?"
"I'll be fine. I was just caught off guard it's been a long day."
"Did this happen a lot on your ship?"
"Not at all, I've been on that ship my whole life. Everyone got used to me being there we all were friends they never tried to hurt me, it's just other pirates or cities that you have to watch out for." Momo smiled again at the memories.
"Then why do you carry so many weapons?"
"Because you can never be to careful."
Toshiro nodded his head, "you still look just like a girl playing dress up."
Momo looked down at her outfit as if realizing it for the first time, "You don't think I actually wear this stuff do you? My captain thought it would be funny to steal my clothes, giving me this in return. First thing I do when I get to port is get some normal clothes."
"I heard rumors about what happened with Aizen, is he really dead?" he asked bluntly studding her movements.
Momo felt her heart break like it did every time his name came into conversations. Her expression changed completely, "I am not going to talk about that."
Before he could say anything else something blasted into the side of the ship causing it to rock violently. Toshiro looked over to see a ship closing in on them; he let out a whistle calling his men out. "Go back into Rangiku's room. Don't come out till this is over."
"Why not?" she demanded, did he still think she couldn't do anything.
"Because this isn't your battle it's ours," he stated simply, "you are not part of my crew so I don't want you to fight for me.
He raced the other way as she walked into Rangiku's room finding her passed out on the bed, "um…Rangiku." Rangiku mumbled in her sleep at the sound of her name. "Wake up," she pushed her roughly.
"Captain, leave me alone," she grumbled kicking Momo away.
"I'm not your captain Rangiku you guys are under attack," Momo shouted. Rangiku's blue eyes opened she sat up holding her head.
"Damn it. Who is it?" she asked.
Momo shrugged her shoulders, "It's not a pirate flag I've seen it's probably just some rookies."
"Oh, then I don't care," Rangiku yawned getting to her feet.
"Get out there, your crew may be in trouble, it is your job to help them." Momo pointed to the door way which now had four unknown men standing there. "Looks like they are already aboard."
"Look what we have here, I was hoping for treasure but we found two cute ladies. I think the captain will be pleased with this." The heavier man sounded pushing his way into the room.
Momo and Rangiku exchanged nervous looks, they were in trouble.
Toshiro pushed the man he was fighting back with his sword he saw the four guys standing in Rangiku's room but he couldn't get there every time he took a step he was blocked by some one knew.
"Were going to take your treasure and kill you all," the pirate boasted loudly.
"You are just amateurs come back when you make it to the big leagues," Toshiro pushed him off the ship with ease using his foot.
"There like bugs, there's a lot, there annoying, and very easy to kill," Ishida observed standing next to his captain sending another arrow flying piercing his target in the heart.
Toshiro smirked, "I have to agree with you."
"So which one of you would like to be escorted by me?" the man asked Momo and Rangiku.
Rangiku laughed, "us go with you guys. You know you must be dreaming."
"What did you say?" he yelled.
"What are you ugly and stupid?" she edged him on.
The man pulled his sword out of his belt, "forget the captain were going to kill them right here."
The other men followed suit by pulling out their own swords, Momo pulled out her pistol firing it at the leader's leg causing him to crash to the ground. She ran up jumping on his back and over the other men's head flying out the door. She turned around sending a kick in their back before they had time to react.
"Captain did you see that?" Ishida gawked.
Toshiro shot a man running toward him, "yea I saw, I really had my doubts she could actually fight."
"Her body won't be able to hold out much longer, it's impossible. She's already been in battle with the eleventh, attacked by a shark, aboard enemy ships, attacked by a crew member, and now this! She's probably exhausted." Ishida explained pushing up his glasses.
"I get it, you're saying she's probably going to collapse soon right?" Hitsugaya sighed.
One of the men recovered quickly sending his sword at her, knocking the gun out of her hand. Her back touched the railing stopping her from falling to the lower deck that was covered with enemy blood. "You are dead," he laughed. She grabbed her head as her vision grew blurry everything around her began to spin. There was nothing she could do to stop it. Her body fell limp over the railing; she fell back heading to the floor.
Momo's dark orbs fluttered open, "where am I?"
Toshiro looked up from his desk when he heard her voice, "Oh sleeping beauty is awake."
"What happened?" she asked still groggy.
"Your body collapsed, you were way too tired and worn out to do anything, I thought I told you to stay in Matsumoto's room," he lectured ignoring the fact Rangiku's room was invaded.
"Are the pirates gone?" she asked ignoring his statement.
"You have been asleep for two days," he replied answering her question.
Momo shot up out of bed, "two days!"
"Lay back down," he ordered continuing with his map.
"I fell, why am I still alive?" Her soft brown eyes searched the floor for the answer.
Toshiro had it, he got up and stormed over to her, he grabbed the collar of her shirt lifting her to his eye level, "What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you keep questioning about why you are alive? The point is you are alive the reason shouldn't matter, don't disrespect your own life like that."
Momo didn't know what to say she was speechless, "Is your crew ok?" she asked changing the subject.
"My crew can't be hurt by rookies," he stated putting her back down, "no one got a scratch. Well everyone except you."
"Good thing I'm not part of your crew," she snapped, "isn't it?"
Toshiro glared at her but wasn't given a chance to respond as Ishida knocked on the door soon opening it, "Captain we will dock at port shortly."
"Thanks Ishida, tell the crew to remain here only you, Rangiku, and I will go on land. Were not staying long." Ishida nodded before departing. "What are you going to do?" he asked Momo.
"I don't know yet, I still have some business to do but after that I'm not sure," she shrugged standing up. The boat rocked causing her to wobble not used to the movement she fell onto the ground. Toshiro raised an eye brow as she picked herself back up.
"Clumsy," he whispered.
"I heard that," she pointed her finger in his face using the other to dust the front of her off.
Toshiro slapped her finger away, "I don't care," he responded as he walked out the door.
The four young adults walked down to the firm land leaving the crew behind to watch the ship, Momo stretched her arms happily.
"Where are you going?" Rangiku called out to Momo as she headed left leaving them behind.
Momo tilted her head in confusion, "I thought once we got to port we were going are separate ways?"
"So soon," Rangiku pouted, "no goodbye."
"Come shopping with me, I need to get out of these clothes," Momo invited, she didn't want to leave her new friend so soon either.
Rangiku spun on her heal to her captain and Ishida, "You boys behave we'll be back."
"You mean just you right," Toshiro corrected, Momo refrained from rolling her eyes with great difficulty.
"Captain, remember our conversation," she pleaded holding her hands to her face.
Toshiro sighed and began to walk away, "I never gave you an answer."
Momo watched him walk away once he was out of ear shot she turned back to Rangiku "What conversation?"
"For you to join our crew silly," Rangiku giggled patting her head.
Momo stopped in her tracks, "what?"
"Yea, but the captain is stubborn and such a boy," Rangiku shrugged, "but I'm sure he will give in. I think he has a little crush on you." Momo blushed slightly but thankfully Rangiku wasn't looking.
"This is much better," Momo nodded in approval at her new outfit. She wore dark pants with boots going up to her knees. She slipped on a long off white shirt that revealed her shoulders with a tight dark brown vest over it.
"Why are you wearing pants?" Rangiku questioned, "It's not that revealing and this outfit is like your hiding your identity."
"Well maybe that's a good thing," Momo replied, "Oh what if I wear a hat, I always wanted a hat."
"Let's go find you a hat," Rangiku pushed Momo out of the store after she paid for the new clothes.
"Do you see that girl commander?" two men sat at a table enjoying their lunch.
"They foxy red head?" The commander asked.
"No the small girl," he pointed his head to the other one.
"What about her?" The commander sighed disappointed.
"She's on our wanted list, there are 29 on her head alive," he jumped excitedly.
The commander leapt to his feet, "then what are we waiting for private?"
"Yes sir!" The two bounty hunters followed the already knowing Momo and Rangiku. Neither girl was impressed with their stealth.
"Well hey there young lady," the commander bowed toward Momo as he got closer.
Momo looked at them carefully, "hello."
"Would you happen to be Momo Hinamori?" his private asked ignoring the greetings. The commander elbowed him in the ribs shushing him.
"Nope sorry," Momo raised her hands in the air.
The commander laughed, "That's funny, you look exactly like her." he pulled out a wanted poster from his pocket, it had Momo face on the front sticking out her tongue throwing a peace sign.
"Oh my god, my long lost twin, you found her," Momo squealed clapping her hands together. She looked up hopefully at the two men whose expressions never changed, "no. You aren't going to buy that?"
"Nice try," he complemented making a grab at her, she turned around and ran as fast as her feet would take her. Rangiku watched as the two bounty hunters ran after her with equal speed.
"I guess I should go tell my captain," Rangiku took her time walking to where she guessed he would be; she stared down at the wanted poster the men left behind. "29 huh? That's quite a lot."
"Hey captain, look what I found," Rangiku waved the flyer in her hand. Once Toshiro was close enough she shoved in under his nose.
"A wanted poster?" he looked at it in confusion, "Of Momo!"
"Seems like she has a high price on her head," Ishida exhaled, taking his turn with the parchment.
"That is high for a vice captain, what did she do to earn that much?" Toshiro asked not really expecting an answer.
"Do you know any good hat shops?" his lazy vice captain asked sitting in the chair.
"Where is Momo?" Toshiro asked ignoring her unusual question.
Rangiku winked at her captain, "are you worried?"
"No," he huffed looking away.
"To bad, she's in trouble," Rangiku frowned.
Toshiro turned back to her, "where is she?"
"Will you ask her to join our crew?" she played.
"Matsumoto!" he barked, only to receive laughter from her. "Fine."
"She's being chased by some bounty hunters, they don't look that tough, but she's running around somewhere."
"She's running. I would have thought she would have fought," Ishida coughed.
Rangiku laughed again, "She's not the type to solve everything by fighting; she is unusual."
Momo ran through shop after shop trying to ditch her two followers, she could hear them jeering behind her asking why she's running if she's worth so much.
Momo rounded the corner into a dead end, "damn it."
She turned to see the men standing there victoriously, "we got you girly."
"Can I have your hat?" she asked pointing to the simple black hat on the commander's head.
"No way in hell," he shouted unnecessarily loud.
"Don't have to be rude," she pouted.
"The day you touch this hat is the day you knock me down," he roared running toward her.
Momo avoided him easily running the opposite way out of the blocked street, she pulled a rod out of a group of barrels sending them rolling toward the men.
"Forget coming back alive I'm going to kill you!" he bellowed. "Let's go private."
"Why are you so persistent," she called back to them, "I'm sure there are a bunch of people around here with higher prices on their heads."
She turned another corner running into something knocking her to the ground, "owe."
"Owe is right idiot," she looked up at the familiar voice.
"Toshiro," she smiled.
Toshiro clenched his fist, "I am still a captain!"
"You ok?" Ishida asked picking her up.
"There you are," her two followers caught up, "were going to kill you."
"Damn, what did you do to piss them off?" Toshiro asked.
"I asked if he would give me his hat," Momo replied innocently, "see you two I told you there were bigger fish here look at him."
"We've been chasing her all around this place. And she knocked barrels at us, twice!" he roared ignoring her comment.
"Wow you guys fell for it twice," Ishida laughed, "That is pretty sad."
"Shut up, just hand over the girl and you won't get hurt," the private reasoned.
"You don't know who you are dealing with do you?" Rangiku guessed, she sat on the barrel against the wall with her head down. Her huge hat blocked them from seeing her face.
"It doesn't matter we will take you all in," the private shouted his courage wavering.
"Don't think so highly of yourselves," Toshiro snapped looking at the now shivering bounty hunters.
"Who are you?"One whimpered.
"Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya, I am captain of the tenth," he answered proudly.
The commander and private wavered, "Commander he is one of the pirate lords."
"You idiot I know that," he rasped, "His head is worth 80."
"You idiots should have really done your homework," Ishida mocked, "you aren't that great of hunters are you."
"My captain that's quite a number," Rangiku lifted her head up smiling.
Ishida shifted forward, "quite, now are you sure you guys want to mess with us?"
"What's this girl to you? Actually as I recall the fifth and the tenth have no relationships together," the commander gained his voice back taking a cautious step toward Momo.