2nd theme written. This was inspired by a fanart I saw which demanded me to write it out, so it's basically like killing two birds with one stone. :D
Anyway, enjoy.
#24 Good night.
30 Kisses-Nightmares
It was approaching midnight.
Within a certain captain's quarters, all was still and silent save for the sound of even breathing as sleep lulled away the worries of the day. The thin ray of moonlight that filtered through the small crack between the sliding doors played upon the closed eyes, the smooth brow, the hand thrown so carelessly over the head of silver hair as its owner slept on. In rest, Hitsugaya Toushiro looked nothing like the serious child prodigy he was supposed to be by day, so peaceful the expression on his face.
Then, slowly, the crack between the doors widened, and widened a bit more as a dark shadow blocked the light from streaming in, hesitating as she saw the sleeping figure on the futon. She paused, just looking at him for while before making up her mind and sliding the doors back close…
"Who are you?"
She jumped, startled. From within the darkness, she could see the pair of ice green eyes looking unwaveringly through the gloom, trying to pick out the identity of the intruder. Beneath the thin blanket, muscles tensed, ready to seize Hyourinmaru by the side of the futon at the slightest threat.
Timidly, she spoke. "It's me, Hinamori."
"Hinamori?" Hitsugaya pushed himself up unto one arm and stared at her. The robe he wore to sleep slipped slightly as he did so; exposing a little of the strong chest beneath it. "What are you doing here at this time of the night?"
Hinamori fidgeted a bit, unwilling to completely meet his inquiring eyes. "I….had a bad dream."
Hitsugaya knew only too well what she meant by 'bad dream'. Ever since Aizen had betrayed her, she had been suffering from nightmares; of Aizen's supposed death, of Aizen's betrayal, and of people whom she loved and cherished being killed by the captain she once adored. Usually Unohana would help her with them,yet somehow tonight seemed different, was different. The sharp gaze softened as they picked out the shiny trails that her tears had left upon her face.
"Come here."
She took a step back, and Hitsugaya sighed. Trust was becoming a word foreign to her and she was beginning to lose her belief in people. It was time he changed that. Pushing himself up into a sitting position, he held a hand out to her. "I won't bite, I promise."
She hesitated some more. Then, as if strengthening her resolve, she came and sat before him, hugging her knees to her bosom. In the pale moonlight, she looked small and vulnerable, with her hair falling around her tear-streaked face, her usual ribbons nowhere in sight. Taking her hand, he pressed it reassuringly, unsure of what to do.
It was enough. As if releasing some kind of floodgate within her, Hinamori threw her arms around Hitsugaya and began sobbing uncontrollably, her face pressed against his chest as she cried. Awkwardly, Hitsugaya wrapped his arms around her, crooning gently to her, rocking her back and forth slowly as he waited for her tears to subside.
After a while, as the sobs died away, he stroked Hinamori's head, allowing his fingers to run through her hair. "What was it this time, Momo?"
All formalities seemed to have melted away into the night as Hinamori whispered, "I…I dreamt…I dreamt you had died, Shirou-kun."
A cold chill overtook his body as he hugged her to him more protectively. "You dreamt that Aizen killed me?"
She didn't answer, but her arms tightened around his midsection. Hitsugaya rocked her some more, working out an answer to tell her that wouldn't upset her more.
"Momo…You don't need to worry. All of us, we'll never let Aizen kill another shinigami. I won't allow Aizen to kill another shinigami. And," he chuckled slightly, "certainly not me."
Taking her chin in his hand, he lifted Hinamori's head so that her eyes met his. "Never, if I mean that much to you."
Hinamori sniffed a little. Even with tear-swollen eyes and a red nose, she still looked beautiful to him in the light of the moon. Gently wiping the tears off her cheeks, he caressed them with his fingers as they darkened enough to match the hue of her nose. Then, unable to prevent himself, he yawned widely.
Seeing the tired expression on Hitsugaya's face, Hinamori tried to extract herself from his arms. "I'm so sorry…I'm only bothering you…your sleep…"
He tightened his hold on her. "You're not going anywhere tonight," he told her mock-sternly. "Besides," his voice lowered, "I want to make sure you get a good night's sleep as well."
"But…" Hinamori looked troubled. "I don't want to be a bother…"
Pulling her gently down unto the futon with him, he used his free hand to pull the blanket over them. "That way, you'll know that no Aizen can kill me," he smiled. "And I'll drive all those bad dreams away."
Blushing, Hinamori only nodded, too tired herself to try to protest. Snuggling closer to him, she curled up against him, his arm cradling her loosely to him. As she fell into slumber, she murmured, "Good night...Shirou-kun."
Hitsugaya kissed her forehead tenderly. "Good night, Momo."
