Well I am not sure if I like this chapter. I am really comtemplating re-writing what I have so far but I'm not sure yet. Either way I am most likely going to re-write the prolouge number one cause I pulled a stupid and called it the epilouge and number two because I feel I rushed it. Ughhh. Well yeah so here's this chapter anyway. There's a bit more going on in this chapter, I said I was going to throw my own little twists in here. Read and reviews are lovely : )
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Momo looked at the two dollar tip that was left for her by her oh so generous classmates, and then she turned her eyes to the piece of paper in with the tip. On said paper were the words "Thanks Server Girl". Momo glared at the paper and bunched it into a ball and threw it into the trashcan. People and there manners these days.
"Momo you should head home, you have school tomorrow." Yoruichi said from her chair at the hostess station.
"Crap, hats reminds me. I have a test to study for." Momo said as she ran to her book bag to make sure she had grabbed her World History book and sighed in relief when she saw it.
"Well you better get home and study then." Kenpachi said "We'll close up tonight,"
"Thank you guys so much." Momo said as she hung her apron back on its hook.
"Anything for you Peaches." Kenpachi said.
Momo threw her bag in the passenger seat of the car and went to start the car. When she turned the key, nothing happened. She turned the key again, and again nothing happened. She got out of her car and went to the hood. She lifted it and studied the engine. Then sighed and crossed her arms.
"Need a jump?"
Momo jumped at the sound of the voice and turned around to see who it was. Brown met teal.
"Toshiro? Didn't you leave already?" She asked.
"I waited for Karin to get picked up so she wouldn't be out her by herself." Toshiro responded.
"How sweet." Momo almost spat.
Toshiro chose to ignore her comment and asked again. "So need a jump?"
"OH. Uh yeah. Thanks." After Toshiro hooked the jumper cable up he looked at her.
"How did you know?"
"How did I know what?" Momo asked confused.
"That that guy was gay. How did you know?" He asked seriously interested.
Momo let out a laugh. Toshiro liked the sound of her laugh. He liked it a lot.
"I was his waitress like 2 weeks ago, and he had asked me if he should ask his roommate out and I said he should go for it. Then I asked what her name was and he said Dave, I was like what a weird name for a girl, he said Dave was not a girl. My thickness thoroughly embarrassed me that night, but it won me 20 bucks tonight." Momo smiled in victory.
Toshiro gave a soft chuckle. "So you cheated?"
"Hey 20 bucks is 20 bucks."
"But you basically stole her money." Toshiro smirked crossing his arms.
"More like." Momo paused to think. "More like put it towards a better cause." She finished, proud of her answer.
"Better cause?" Toshiro asked raising an eyebrow.
"She would have used it to by liquor, but I am going to put it in my college fund."
Toshiro looked at her skeptically.
"What?"
"Nothing" he said with a laugh. After he finished jumping her car he put the jumper cables back in his trunk.
Momo rested her arms on Toshiro's open car door. "Thanks Toshiro."
"No problem" He said stepping out of his car looking directly at Momo.
He sighed. "Sorry about the tip."
Momo looked at him confused for a moment then she remembered the two dollar tip and the "server girl" message. She closed her eyes.
"Don't worry about it." She said, eyes still closed.
Her eyes shot open when she felt his hand on hers, then she looked down and saw a 20 and a 10 being pushed into her hand.
"I said don't worry about." She said stubbornly.
"I won't if you just take the money." He replied back.
They had a staring contest for about 10 minutes until Momo broke the silence.
"I'll take the ten." She said still looking him straight in the eyes.
"You'll take it all." Was his response and the staring contest continued. Momo finally gave in and pocketed the money.
"Your very pushy, you know that?" She asked arms once again resting on the open door.
"I've heard it before, but I just don't see it." He smirked causing Momo to smile.
"Well I got a test to study for. So I guess I'll see you around." Momo said while pushing herself off the car door.
"Yeah, you see around."
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At lunch the next day Toshiro sat at the usual table with his girlfriend and his friends, but today he was extremely distracted. He couldn't stop thinking about that girl, Momo Hinamori. He sighed.
"Something wrong buddy?" Ichigo asked looking at Toshiro from behind his sandwich.
"He is just stressing because my birthday is coming up." Karin said for Toshiro and Toshiro took the save nodding his head.
"It's okay baby, whatever you get me I know I'll love." Karin said placing a kiss on Toshiro's lips, he nodded and once again zoned out.
Why couldn't he stop thinking about her?
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"Sounds like pity money to me."
"Rukia!"
"I'm just saying Momo."
Momo crossed her arms.
"Listen, if you had walked out a second earlier and Karin was still there do you think he would have given you the money, and a second later and he wouldn't have been there, and do you honestly think he would go looking for you today to give you that money?"
Rukia had a point. Momo couldn't believe she didn't pick up on it, it was only because he ran into her, not because he liked her, or because he felt she deserved the tip, he felt bad because he ran into her again not even an hour after they left the tip and that note.
"I'm not trying to be mean or anything its just sounds like he felt obligated to do it."
"I know that now." Momo said venom in her voice.
They sat in silence for a while, then suddenly Momo spoke up.
"Rukia?"
"Yeah?"
"Go for a walk with me?"
Rukia smiled. "Of course."
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"Seriously, she thought I was a 3 and I was like No honey, I'm a 2. Can you believe that?" Karin said while sipping her water.
"Ughh, help these days. If I were you I would have totally given her a piece of my mind." Isane said, offended just from hearing the story.
Toshiro contained a sigh of annoyance and the urge to hit his head on the lunch table repeatedly.
"Anyone want to hit the movies Friday?" Renji asked.
"Oh yeah we could see that-" Karin was cut off by a hand slapping the table. She looked up and saw Momo hovering over Toshiro, and Rukia behind her with a smirk on her face. Momo then bent down until her mouth was next to Toshiro's ear.
"I don't take pity money." Was all she said before she removed her hand from the table revealing the 30 dollars Toshiro had given her the night before.
"Whats that suppose to mean?" Toshiro asked.
"Tell me the truth Toshiro. The only reason you gave me that was because you felt, no feel bad for me. Right?"
Toshiro looked at her stunned.
"That's what I thought." She took a deep breath. "Look I don't need anyone's pity and I don't need a hand out especially from someone like you. You probably thought you were doing a good thing and helping me and by doing it, but next time do me a favor and don't do me any favors." .
Toshiro was dumbfounded, he didn't know what to say. He just stared at her, he liked staring at her, he liked the way the sun caught her soft features, the way her hair shone in beauty as it fell past her shoulders, she had opted out of the bun this morning. Momo sighed, turned around, and walked out.
"Toshiro, what the hell was that?" Ichigo asked.
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"I am so freaking proud of you Momo!" Rukia yelled jumping up and down and hugging her friend.
Momo smiled. "Yeah me too."
"You were all like "I don't take pity money" and that like little mini speech was awesome, you totally got your point across without being a stone cold bitch. I freaking love you right now." Rukia said, barely containing her excitement.
Momo could only laugh at her friends behavior.
"What are you laughing at?" Rukia asked stopping in front of her friend, hands on her petite waist.
"You." Momo said laughing harder.
"And why is that?"
"Because you make it seem as if I have just discovered the cure for cancer." Momo said also placing her hands on her womanly hips.
"Momo are you kidding me. You stood up for yourself. You have never ever EVER done that for as long as I have known you."
"You make me sound like a push over." Momo mumbled but Rukia managed to hear.
"I know your not a push over but you have never gone to someone looking for a fight." Rukia said starting to walk once again.
"I wasn't looking for a fight, I was returning his money and telling him off." Momo said as she caught up with Rukia. "There's a difference."
Rukia smiled. "You like him, don't you?"
Momo almost fell over. "Where the hell did that come from Rukia?"
"I can tell you totally like him."
"Are you kidding me first he is Toshiro Hitsugaya, second he's a stuck up rich kid, and third." Momo stopped looking down.
"Third?" Rukia pressed.
"And third he already has a girlfriend." Momo said sounding very disappointed, and for life of her couldn't figure out why.
"I knew it. You dig him!" Rukia exclaimed.
"Who says "dig" anymore?" Momo asked trying to go for a quick subject change. Unfortunately Rukia saw right through it and didn't even acknowledge the question.
"Ahhh. Praise the lords. My little Momo is in love." Rukia sighed as she twirled, then she stopped and looked at Momo with a serious look on her face. "With a jerk."
"Mood swings much? You go from thanking the holy gods above to spiting and insulting people." Momo said honestly frightened.
"Well he is. Well not so much him, its more his girlfriend, and you think she's a bitch now. People like her tend to get mad when someone likes there boyfriend."
"I don't like him... I think? I don't know. I mean he's nice when it's just him, all the guys are nice when the girls aren't around." Momo said noticing how different they act when they are with the girls then when its just them as a group or by themselves.
"You noticed that too, huh?" Rukia asked.
"Yeah."
"Like today I was running late for french and was running and tripped falling face first on the ground, and as fast as i hit the ground I was on my feet again and my books were in my hands. It was like I went to rewind mode or something, but anyway, I looked up and saw Ichigo smiling at me and he asked if I was alright and he actually walked me to class. Now would he have done that if he was with Karin, Yuzu, or Isane?" Rukia said thinking back to earlier that morning.
Momo smirked devilishly. "Rukia likes Ichigo." She chanted over and over again causing Rukia to chase her around. When they finally stopped Rukia asked her what her problem was.
"Payback" Was all Momo managed before the bell rang signaling the end of their lunch period.
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"Hey waitress. My coke is warm."
Momo apologized as she grabbed the coke from the table and headed back to the kitchen. It was a busy night, it was Saturday night, date night. Momo brought the coke back to the table being completely ignored by the couple sitting there.
Momo looked at the door and saw at least four couples standing there waiting to be seated. Matsumoto was probably on another "bathroom" break. Momo walked up to the hostess station looking at the chart and marking off where she would put the couples. When she looked up she saw that the first couple to be seated were none other then Karin and Toshiro. Of all places to go on date night. Momo thought to herslef.
She walked up to them. "Right this way please." She said as she lead them to their table, they didn't say anything, maybe the chose to ignore her after the whole lunch thing, she could only hope.
As they sat down Karin looked, I'm sorry did I say looked I meant bore holes through Momo's head with her eyes. Momo swore then and there if looks really could kill she would have dropped to the floor dead, and when she thought about it, she didn't think that would have been such a bad thing. Momo shook her head.
"I'll be right back to take your orders."
"Hurry back server girl." Karin said, voice laced with hatred.
Guess they weren't going to ignore her. 'Gee, I can't wait to see my tip tonight' Momo thought to herself.
When she had finsihed seating the other three couples she headed back to Karin and Toshiro's table. Karin continued to burn holes through her head and Toshiro just stared at her. She had noticed he did that a lot and she truly hated it, she seemed to get clumsier with him looking at her, and she didn't even think that was possible.
"What can I get you to drink?"
"I want a water and a fucking explanation on why you freaked out on my boyfriend." Karin practically spat. And Once again Momo swears she would have exploded if it weren't for the simple fact that looks really couldn't kill. Thank god.
Momo sighed. "Okay look, first of all I am working here and if you can't tell I am elbow deep in that work because we are two waitresses short tonight, and second of all, if this is going to be a problem I can get you another waitress."
Karin "humphed" and mumbled a "Your fine" or something like that.
"Good. So you want a water and you?" She asked turning her attention toward Toshiro who continued to stare at her.
"Iced tea." He said.
Momo went to go get the drinks. As she brought them back to the table she was about to ask if they were ready to order but didn't have the chance as her step mother flew into the restaurant and right up to her.
"You." Soi Fong seethed.
Momo gulped, what did she do wrong this time.
"You didn't think I would notice?" She asked, and once again the "if looks could kill" theory flashed across her mind.
"Didn't think you would notice what?" Momo asked taking a step back, glancing at Toshiro and Karin who were looking and Momo and her step mother curiously.
"You've been taking money from me haven't you? You little bitch."
"I don't have any idea what your talking about Soi Fong." Momo said truthfully.
"I am already pissed, so if I were you I wouldn't talk back. I can't believe after everything I've done for you. I feed you, I cloth you and I put a roof over your head and this is how you repay me?"
"Soi Fong, can we do this later I am in the midd-"
SLAP! CRASH!
Momo lay on the floor next to a newly broken table and shattered glass lay on top of her and all around her. Momo tried getting up as she clutched bleeding and bruised cheek, but that only cause the glass that was around her to dig into her skin. She hissed. Momo then pulled her hand away from her cheek and looked at the blood, 'so that's why Soi Fong filed her nails into daggers' Momo mused.
"Get up." Soi Fong said slowly.
Momo once again tried to get up and once again hissed in pain as glass dug into her skin. Rangiku who had rushed over when she heard the ruckus went to help her up but was stopped by Soi Fong.
"Do not help her." And Rangiku backed off knowing that if she didn't listen Momo would pay the price later.
Momo successfully stood up this time although she wobbled a bit. Did she hit her head? She couldn't remember. Momo looked at Karin and Toshiro they both looked at her in utter shock. Karin seemed the tiniest bit amused though and Toshiro looked like he couldn't believe what he just saw.
Soi Fong's voice brought Momo out of her thoughts. "Clean it up."
Everyone around them looked shocked but Momo had expected that, after all it was Soi Fong.
Momo went to her knees and flew backwards when she kneeled on a piece of broken glass.
"You are hopeless." Soi Fong directed at Momo then looked at Rangiku and Yachiru.
"You two, clean this up." They nodded. "And you" she said bending down in front of Momo. "better find somewhere to sleep tonight cause I don't even want to smell your shampoo in my house." With that Soi Fong took her leave.
Momo sat there eyes wide, she didn't even notice the tears that had leaked from her eyes. Toshiro was at her side along with a Yoruichi, they both helped her to the kitchen and Momo's mind had barely processed the complaint and insult Karin had spat out and the "shut the fuck up" Yoruichi managed to get out before the kitchen doors closed.
"I am so sorry." Were the first words out of Yoruichi's mouth. Momo shook herself our of her shocked state and managed a small almost painful smile.
Yoruichi smiled a sad smile. "I'll be right back with the first aid kit, can you start cleaning her up?" She asked Toshiro who nodded.
Momo was trapped somewhere in her mind once again that she didn't register that Toshiro had started cleaning her cuts and gashes.
"I... No one has ever hit me before." Momo said as tears she was still unaware of leaked from her eyes.
Toshiro just sat there. He didn't know what to say to her.
"I'm sorry." He finally decided to say.
Momo looked at him. "You have nothing to be sorry for."
"Yes I do." he started as he brought his hand up to brush away her tears. "You were right, I shouldn't feel sorry for you, and I don't, and that's not why I gave you the money."
Momo looked at him surprised.
"I am sorry that you think so low of me, and I am sorry I have never done anything to stop you from thinking that." Toshiro said as he pulled his hand away.
Momo smiled.
"Let's just put that all behind us. Okay? We both have bigger things to worry about, and mine can slap like a bitch."
Toshiro's eyes narrowed.
"Why did she hit you?" He asked.
"She's Soi Fong, who knows?" Momo responded and before Toshiro could ask her anymore questions Yoruichi came in, first aid kit in hand yelling something about Momo being alright and not to worry about anything.
"Here" she said handing the first aid kit to Toshiro "You patch her up, I have to help get everything under control out there"
After Toshiro successfully bandaged her cheek and the deep cuts Momo stood to look at her reflection in the metal table.
"Thanks." Momo mumbled, embarrassed. She thought her step mother had more class then that.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"I don't know." She managed choking back a sob. She would not cry damn it, not in front of him, not in front of anyone. "You should probably get back to Karin."
"Yeah." He sighed. "You deserved it you know." He said out of the blue.
Momo turned to face him. "The slap?" she asked surprised. He looked at her as if she were stupid then chuckled.
"No, idiot, the money. You are very good at what you do."
Momo blushed in embarrassment but whether it was from her thickness or from the compliment she didn't know. "Is that really why you gave me the money?" She managed to say even though her throat was extremely dry all the sudden.
"That and for you to to 'put it toward a better cause'." He joked.
"Oh your so funny." She said sarcastically.
"I know." He smiled and took a step closer to her leaning his head done so they were forehead to forehead. Momo blushed, what was he doing? Was he going to kiss her? Would she let him?
Hell yeah you will Her inner voice all but shouted at her.
"Momo, would you mind if I-" Toshiro was cut off by Karin who stormed into the kitchen.
"Toshiro, we're leaving." She stated simply. Toshiro groaned and pulled away from Momo, who missed his touch and his scent.
"Yeah, Yeah. I'm coming." He said annoyed.
"No now!" Karin said grabbing his hand.
He pulled his hand our of hers and asked in a dangerously low tone. "Since when were you my mother?" Karin groaned in annoyance and stomped her foot on the ground. "Toshiro." She said threateningly. Toshiro just glared at her and her face turned into a pout.
"I'm sorry Toshi. Can we go now please?" She asked as she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her chin on his chest and looking up at him, pout still planted on her face. When he didn't say anything she reached up and planted a kiss on his lips. "Please?" she asked again.
Toshiro rolled his eyes and pryed her off of him. "Yeah. Lets go." She smiled and grabbed his hand dragging him out of the kitchen. Momo sighed. She could have thrown up. The kitchen door opening again caught attention. Looking up she was surprised to see Toshiro once again standing in front of her.
He stuck his hand in her face "Here." He said, and she looked at his hand and saw 30 dollars in it.
She put her hand on his and pushed it away shaking her head, which she regretted when a sharp pain shot through her skull.
Toshiro sighed. "Just take it."
"No." She said this time, not wanting to cause her poor head anymore pain. Toshiro sighed once again and grabbed her hand forcing the money into it and closing it. He held onto it longer then nesscery and stared into her eyes. He leaned closer and whispered a farewell in her ear and she swears that as he pulled away he trailed his lips across her cheek and the smirk that was on his lips only proved her right.
Momo, who's eyes were wide, could do nothing but stare at the door where he had just left. Then she smiled. 'The tip wasn't bad after all. Nope, not bad at all.' She thought placing her hand on her warm cheek.
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Hmmmm. I don't know.
