Happy New Year guys! It's 2012, I hope to be able to bring more stories for everyone. Thank you to those who have reviewed/alerted/favorited! I really appreciate it!

Mindless HitsuHina fluff, because the world needs it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Dirty Dancing or Jurassic Park.

Part IV

Words: 4932

Just because Hinamori realized she was in love with her best friend doesn't mean she was going to tell him that.

That resulted in an awkward relationship where two best friends were in love with each other but didn't want to tell the other. Hitsugaya and Hinamori went about their usual ways, trying to keep their feelings unknown (with the former having more luck and experience with that). They clearly liked each other but were adamant on keeping it to themselves, so their relationship evolved into one of secret gazes, furious blushing and unintentional flirting.

Which carried on for more than a month.

Which drove everybody crazy.

"It's called 'flirtationship'. You know, more than friends but less than lovers," Rukia explained to the group after they saw Hinamori push Hitsugaya away by poking his forehead playfully.

"How the hell do you know that?" Ichigo asked.

They spoke in hushed tones in the library, watching the two best friends intently from another table. They had visited the school library to research for their History project (some of them were, the rest just accompanied for lack of better things to do). They noticed that Hitsugaya and Hinamori were already there but didn't want to play third wheel(s), so they sat at another table with a clear view of the two.

"It's a common term," Rukia replied, rolling her eyes at Ichigo.

"Very apt," Matsumoto commented. "Not to mention how they're worse than you two."

Rukia blushed a faint shade of pink while Ichigo said, "Can we stay on topic?"

Matsumoto held up her hands in defense, as if saying 'Just sayin''.

"You'd think Hitsugaya would've told her by now," Renji said, picking up the conversation once more.

"And you'd think both of them would know," Ikkaku piped up.

"How is it that everyone but them knows?" Rukia suddenly asked incredulously, her voice rising a little. The librarian walked towards them and shot them a glare. The raven-haired girl gave her an apologetic smile and turned back casually.

"I think it's beautiful," Yumichika commented, batting his weird eyelashes dreamily.

The rest of the people at the table didn't even spare him a glance before Matsumoto said, "For relatively smart people, they really are dense."

"Maybe we should set them up," Rukia suggested.

"Yeah, you'd really like that huh," Ichigo said.

Before Rukia could make a snarky comment, Matsumoto interrupted, "Nah, I want to see how they work it out."

"Yeah, we shouldn't pry," Kira, who had been rather silent during their conversation said.

They looked at him in surprise, and Renji told him light-heartedly, "Let it go man, there are plenty of fish in the ocean."

Before any of them could say anything more, they saw Hitsugaya stand and move to sit next to Hinamori, apparently to help her with her homework. He sat too close, way too close.

A loud voice resounded throughout the library all of a sudden as Ikkaku shouted, "Get a room!"

They were promptly kicked out of the library.

-x- X-x-

Hitsugaya and Hinamori did not get a room. They certainly did not. What they got was more 'more than friends but less than lovers' moments during their so-called 'flirtationship' period.

In a certain living room, two best friends were sitting on the couch watching the popular American movie, Dirty Dancing. Hitsugaya and Hinamori were in the former's house having one of their house dates while their parents were out to an adults-only pot luck.

When the film ended with everyone dancing happily, Hinamori stretched out on Hitsugaya's couch while stifling a yawn.

"I still would have preferred Jurassic Park," Hitsugaya stated. Dancing shows didn't really appeal to him. He only went with it because it was Hinamori's turn to pick a movie.

She seemed to have ignored what he said for she replied with a "Don't you think it'd be cool if you can dance like that?"

"No."

She eyed him but said nothing, knowing dancing wasn't really his thing. That's right…dancing was his thing…

"Hitsugaya-kun, let's dance."

"What?" he asked with a tone of disbelief.

"Dance! Not the dance that the main characters were performing in that last scene. Something simpler, like waltz."

"Hinamori, I don't know how to dance."

"I'll teach you!"

Hitsugaya sighed. He honestly didn't feel like dancing, but it seemed he couldn't get out of it. Moreover, there was no way he could turn those gleeful eyes and expectant smile. So he stood up from the couch lazily and walked to her.

Hinamori found some good contemporary waltz music to dance to in his CD shelf and popped the disc. As the music filled the room, Hinamori stepped towards Hitsugaya, assisting him in starting with the correct position.

"You place your right arm on my shoulder blade like this," Hinamori instructed, directing his arm behind her shoulder, after which she placed her hand on his right shoulder. "And I place my other hand in yours."

Hitsugaya obediently complied and realized they were standing really close to each other. He felt the heat rush to his cheeks while Hinamori was as calm as ever. Well of course, she'd done this before.

"You ready?" she asked, causing him to disregard their proximity for the time being. "I'll lead for now."

Hitsugaya nodded, a feeling of dread still dwelling in him.

"Okay, I'll go back first, then to the side, and finally front. Then we repeat the steps," she directed as they moved along to the rhythm of the music.

"1, 2, 3. 2, 2, 3. 3, 2—"

"Sorry," Hitsugaya apologized. He had been staring at his feet but despite that, he fumbled and unintentionally stepped on her foot.

"It's okay," she said, shaking her head.

As they continued, Hitsugaya asked, "Hinamori, are you sure about this? I suspect there will be more foot-stepping."

She laughed a little and replied, "You taught me how to ice-skate so I'll teach you how to dance."

"I'll teach you how to perform an underarm turn," she continued. "First you let go of my shoulder blade. In 3 counts, I'll move backwards, like this, and you follow. I'll turn, ending with my back towards you and my arm lifted, like this. Then in the next 3 steps, you step in front, to the left and finally we take the hold again."

In a few more tries, Hitsugaya felt he got the hang of it.

"You're a fast learner," Hinamori complimented.

"I have a good teacher," he answered.

"Then I suppose you can take the lead now?"

Hitsugaya wasn't entirely sure but he agreed to anyway. As the music started once more, he found himself leading her smoothly while he remembered the steps. Hinamori was surprised at his ability to dance so fluidly but she reminded herself that it was Hitsugaya. He still looked down at their feet, though only occasionally.

When he wasn't looking at their feet, he was looking at his dance partner slash teacher and he realized he had gained a few more inches. He wasn't as tall as Ichigo or Renji but he was definitely taller than Hinamori. He also realized she smelled good; she smelled exactly what her name portrayed: peaches. And a little bit of honey. It must be the shampoo she uses.

Hitsugaya executed a fine underarm turn and subconsciously pulled Hinamori closer to him after. If she wasn't so busy staring at his neck to look up, he would have seen the blush on her face.

The music had ended but they remained in their dance positions. The next track played though neither of them danced to the music. After what seemed like eons, Hinamori finally lifted up her head. They didn't blush nor did they close the small distance between their faces. They simply stood there in the middle of Hitsugaya's living room, relishing in the feel of their bodies drawn close together.

The moment didn't last long however, when the jingle of keys could be heard and the door clicked open.

"I'm home!" Hitsugaya's mother called out.

"Welcome back."

"Welcome back!"

"Oh hello, Momo-chan. Your parents are waiting outside."

"Well then, I'll get going now," Hinamori replied and picked up her belongings. "Bye! And I'll see you tomorrow Hitsugaya-kun."

As she closed the door behind her, Hitsugaya's mother gave him a knowing smile.

"What? She was teaching me how to waltz."

"That's very sweet of her. You could pick up some dancing skills from Momo-chan," his mother replied, his tone suggesting something more.

"I'm going up," Hitsugaya stated, wanting to escape from the awkward conversation with his mother while turning off the CD player on his way up.

-x-X-x-

Best friends in love with each other didn't mean that they stopped being best friends and were constantly in a 'flirtationship'. For Hitsugaya and Hinamori, it meant being there for each other like true friends do even when feelings get in the way sometimes and you just can't help but want to kiss her tears away.

Hitsugaya turned the knob hesitantly. He was met with what he feared the most. Hinamori was sitting up on her bed, her knees drawn up to her chest.

She leaned her head on her knees but he could tell she was crying. She clutched a piece of tissue in her hand, many more surrounding her.

He tentatively walked in and closed the door behind him silently. She ignored the fact that there was someone in her room; heck, it might be the thing she needs most right now.

"Hinamori," he called out as he climbed onto the bed.

When she didn't look up nor show any acknowledgement of another person in her room, he placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

Her crying had not yet ceased but she tried to stifle them.

"Th-They said…he'll need another operation. And…and it'll be quite r-risky," she explained.

He didn't know what to say; he never did in times like this.

"Shirou-chan…I don't know what I'll do if—if…"

She was unable to continue as the thought of her father being unable to pull through haunted her mind. Hitsugaya knew about how Hinamori's father had met with an accident while trying to avoid colliding into a child who had ran into the road without warning. He had undergone surgery already, but it seemed like the storm wasn't over yet.

"Hinamori, look at me…" he coaxed, wishing he had the right words to say to ease her pain.

She lifted her head slowly and stared at him with red, puffy eyes. He took one look at her and his heart ached. She wasn't supposed to look like that. Her eyes were swollen from all the tears and her nose was red from all the sniffling. The usual smile was gone and in its place was a thin line. Her brown eyes bore into his with such sorrow and helplessness and he didn't care if he didn't have the right words to ease her pain. All he knew was that he wanted to wipe away her tears and bring back her smile once more.

Hitsugaya pulled her into his arms and wrapped them tightly around her. He enclosed her within his embrace and the moment she felt his arms around her body, she cried into his shoulder in earnest. She was wetting his shirt with her tears but honestly, he didn't give a damn. She was letting it all out and he knew she would feel better. She had to.

Hitsugaya stroked her back soothingly and drew her close to him, hoping she could feel his warmth and know, through his actions, that he would be there for her and that everything will turn out okay.

Gradually, Hinamori's sobs were reduced to sniffles and hiccups. When her crying finally ceased and the night was silent again, she gave Hitsugaya an appreciative look as he loosened his hold on her. Hinamori wiped at her eyes with her sleeve but Hitsugaya held her wrist in place.

He held her delicate fingers in his and used his free hand to wipe at the loose tears on her cheeks. She cast her gaze downwards, but he did not allow that. Hitsugaya lifted her chin and placed a soft kiss on her cheek, a sign that told her he'd wipe away all her tears and stay with her till she told him to leave. She closed her eyes crawled closer to him, wanting to feel his warmth again. He willingly let her seek solace in his embrace and held her protectively.

They stayed like that for a while. No words were exchanged. No words needed to be exchanged.

"Do you want to see the stars?" he asked hesitantly when she started breathing normally.

She nodded and they made their way up the small staircase she had in her room. It didn't lead to another floor, it led to a simple platform and a single window instead. Hinamori usually sat on the spacious ledge to watch the stars whenever she was feeling lonely or sentimental.

This time, Hitsugaya watched the stars with her. He sat on the window ledge with Hinamori settled comfortably between his legs as they gazed up at the starry sky.

Hinamori's exhaustion eventually consumed her and she slipped into a deep slumber on his chest. Hitsugaya smiled to himself, relieved that she was finally alright. He dropped a kiss onto the top of her head secretly and carried her to her bed.

The next morning, when Hinamori found herself tucked cozily in her sheets, she smiled. A blush covered her cheeks soon after when she recalled what happened last night. She was surprised once more when breakfast was on the table since her parents weren't in. A note sat on the kitchen counter.

Hitsugaya never failed to make everything better for her. With or without words. Through his actions or otherwise.

She returned to school with a lighter mood and felt that maybe it will all turn out well. Hinamori also surprised everyone by engulfing Hitsugaya in a hug as a way of saying 'thank you'.

-x-X-x-

"Hitsugaya-kun, what's wrong?"

It had been days after Hinamori's father's second surgery and he had gotten over the most critical point. He still needed to stay in the hospital but Hinamori had her spirits lifted considerably. However, it seemed as if problems kept popping up one after another. This time, Hitsugaya was the one who had something on his mind; and it was bothering him.

"It's nothing."

She knew it wasn't 'nothing'. He seemed broody all day and really out of it. He wasn't paying attention in class, he didn't have any appetite and there was a perpetual frown on his face. She stopped short and gave him a knowing stare. He stopped too when he realized Hinamori wasn't walking beside him anymore.

When he saw her 'spill it' expression, he let out a weary sigh. He didn't want anyone to know, but deep down inside, he wanted to tell her. If there was anyone he would confide in, he wanted it to be her.

"He's back," he said after a pause.

It took a while for it to sink in, but she understood eventually.

"You mean… but how?"

"No idea. He called us last night."

"Did he ask for money again?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, but we didn't entertain his requests. I hung up on him."

"Is that okay? Will he look for you guys?" she asked worriedly. Hitsugaya's father had a tendency to show up at their doorstep if he didn't get what he wanted.

"He should, so I can beat the crap out of him."

He said it with such seriousness Hinamori didn't know if he meant it or not and it troubled her. She decided not to pursue the matter as she knew it was a touchy topic for him.

Hitsugaya's father had left the family when he was a mere 4-year-old. He couldn't remember much about his father, the only prominent memory he had of him was the constant yelling and harassing. He didn't abuse him or his mother, but he was an avid gambler. He used to come home late most of the time and when he did, he reeked of alcohol and cigarettes.

Because of his father's persistent harassment, mostly for money to support his habit, there was a rift between husband and wife. Hitsugaya's mother slept in her son's room as a result. He had seen his mother cry many times before, and he swore to himself he would protect her, despite his age.

When his father left without a word, taking most of their money and valuables with him, his mother was heart-broken. Somehow, she always believed he would change. Not Hitsugaya though; he was glad the house was finally free from the incessant shouting and his sorry excuse of a father. It was perhaps due to the lack of a paternal figure and desire to protect his mother that made him more matured than people his age.

His father occasionally looked them up for more money. He usually left immediately once he was given what he wanted so his mother always complied with his wishes. Hitsugaya hated how his mother was so soft-hearted, even after all those years, but he knew he wouldn't leave them alone if she didn't so he let it go.

This time though, was the last straw. He had asked for an unreasonable amount of money which they obviously couldn't afford to give him. When he persisted over phone, even resorting to shouting at his mother, Hitsugaya had snatched the phone and threatened him with the law, after which he stopped calling. But he knew it wasn't the end. He wasn't one to give up that easily.

They had arrived at Hinamori's gate in silence. Before she entered her house, she turned to face him.

"Call me, okay?"

He gave her a half-smile when he saw the concern written all over her face.

"Yeah, don't worry about me," he assured her.

There wasn't a need to worry about him, he got that right. Though they couldn't have known it, they should be worrying about the brown-eyed girl instead.

The next morning, while Hinamori was making her way to school, she had an unexpected visitor.

As she turned around a corner, a man around his mid-forties approached her. He was haggard-looking; he sported messy stubble and there were bags under his eyes. Hinamori eyed him dubiously.

"You are Toushirou's friend right?" he started. "I've seen you around before."

Hinamori had never seen Hitsugaya's father except in pictures, which she wasn't really exposed to. However, she knew this was him and she thought how Hitsugaya looked nothing like his father.

When she didn't answer him, the man said, "I need your help."

His voice was shaky and Hinamori could see the desperation in his eyes. It only served to make him look more pathetic.

"What do you need?"

Relief was evident in his eyes as he thought there was finally hope. "You see, I've met some trouble while in Tokyo and I need a little cash to help me tide through. It's nothing serious; I just need to get a few people off my back. I tried asking Toushirou's mother, but he refused."

"What has it got to do with me?"

"You're his friend right? Will you help me persuade him? He'll listen to you. I just need ¥700,000…"

"¥700,000!1 That's very unreasonable—"

"It's the least I can ask for. Please…help me out."

He approached Hinamori and grabbed her shoulder roughly. She looked at him in shock and realized he was too close for comfort. When he spoke, she could smell the alcohol-laced breath.

"You have to help me. They're coming after me…I've got no one else…"

"I-I'm sorry, I can't—"

He let go of her in an instant and walked away abruptly. She stared after his retreating figure in confusion, wondering who he was referring to and why he turned away so quickly. Just then, Hitsugaya walked up beside her.

"Who were you talking to?"

She jumped at his voice. "Hitsugaya-kun! You scared me."

"Sorry. So who was that?"

"Umm, it was just someone asking for directions."

When he shrugged and moved on, Hinamori decided it would be best not to tell him just yet since it would probably give him unnecessary worry.

The day passed without any more unexpected visits or desperate pleas. However, she was about to chance upon an unexpected discovery that night.

-x-X-x-

Hinamori had let herself into Hitsugaya's house. Following her father's recent surgery, she had been settling her meals in his house, courtesy of his mother of course. As for Hinamori's mother, she had been making frequent visits to the hospital and she understood that.

That night was an exception. She had to settle dinner herself as Hitsugaya and his mother were busy. Hinamori wanted to return Hitsugaya's notes and bring them supper at the same time seeing the small lamp in the living room switched on, she concluded it was okay for her to enter. She found it strange that no other lights were switched on, but she figured he was reading or something.

As she entered the living room, she stopped in her tracks and called out, "Who are you?"

The figure dropped what he was holding and whirled around, alarmed that someone was in the house when he already made sure they left. The dim light from the lamp cast a shadow on him, making it seem like he exuded an eerie aura.

Hinamori recognized the tall figure by shaggy appearance and shaking form when she squinted.

"You…!"

She saw the bag he had been holding and judging from the mess he made in the living room, Hinamori put two and two together. She immediately whipped out her cellphone to call for help, but he was quicker.

In no time, her cellphone was snatched from her forcefully and he threw it across the room. There was a moment of silence before he hoarsely said, "No…please don't call…don't call anyone."

He stared at her with pleading blue eyes and for a moment she felt sorry for him. But her sympathy dissipated when she thought about what he was doing and what he had done. Hinamori reacted instantly and reached for the cordless phone. She only managed to graze the phone when all of a sudden, her wrist was clenched tightly in his hand and her body was flung backwards.

She hit the wall with a loud bang and while she slumped down in pain, he bolted up the stairs, carrying the phone with him. She knew she couldn't let him get away so she ignored the pain in her shoulder and crawled towards her cellphone.

Dread overcame her when she saw that the screen was cracked and realized the cellphone was dead.

Noisy shuffling and urgent rummaging could be heard overhead. Without thinking, Hinamori ran up the stairs, only to find the master bedroom in a mess, if not messier than the living room. Clothes were strewn all over the floor as he dug into the drawers of a cabinet, where unworn jewelry and back-up cash were apparently stowed.

Hinamori knew she couldn't win him in a brawl so she resorted to her last option: she was going to try talking him out of it.

"Stop…stop it! Don't you see what you're doing?"

He ignored her. As long as he could take what we wanted without her being difficult, he won't do anything to her. He'll leave quietly and never return. He just needs a few more…

"They gave you what you wanted. Stop harassing them! What kind of a father are you?"

He snapped.

"Shut up, shut up!"

"You left them! You took everything they had and you left! Who gave you the right to come back and take what's left?"

"Shut the hell up girl. You don't understand. They're coming for me! If I don't give them what they want, they'll kill me! They'll kill me…I have to find more…I have to find more…"

His voice was trembling and his eyes were maniacal as he searched and searched, tossing clothes and useless items out of his way.

"You're mad…"

Suddenly, he whipped out an envelope, triumph written over his features. Yes…with this, he will finally have enough.

"T-That's…! Hey!"

He had shoved the envelope into his bag and made a run for the door. There was no way he could escape from the window as there were obstructions that would prove to be fatal.

There was no way she could let him escape with that envelope. It was important to mother and son; if he took it away, they would really be left with nothing once more.

Hinamori did the only thing she could think of: she lunged at him, entrapping him in a tight hold.

"Shit!" he cursed, struggling to loosen her hold on him.

Her entrapment was no match for his strength and she was roughly pushed back by the sudden force of his arms. However, Hinamori managed to snatch the envelope from him in the last moment before she was flung back. She hit the floor with a 'thud' and the next thing she knew was that they were scuffling for the envelope.

"Give me that! Give it to me, you runt! I need it...I need it!"

"Ugh! No!"

She struggled to push him away, arms defending and legs kicking. With a strong kick straight to his abdomen, Hinamori was finally free from his snatching as he clutched at his middle in pain.

She crawled her way quickly to the phone, which had been dropped and forgotten during their tussle. As her trembling fingers pushed the buttons, he staggered towards her with a dagger in his hand. His remorseless eyes reflected in the blade as the shiny metal glinted in the dim light.

"I said...I NEED THAT!"

She whirled around at the sound of his furious bellow, only to see him bringing the dagger down towards her. The sharp metal slashed her mid- arm, tearing her skin and exposing her flesh. It ripped a cry from her throat as she felt fresh blood flowing down her arm.

Before he had the chance to reach for the envelope, the dagger was flung out his hand and he was tackled to the ground, face down with one arm on the ground and the other held firmly behind his back.

"Hinamori!"

"I'm okay..."

His grunts echoed throughout the room as he tried to pry himself free. It seemed he understood there was no way out of the mess he created as his struggling turned into resignation. His shouting turned into silent sorrowful sobs as helplessness finally overtook his entirety.

-x-X-x-

About an hour later, Hinamori was seated in the Kurosaki's Clinic wincing in pain as Ichigo's father dabbed alcohol at her gash. At least her wound wasn't deep enough to warrant needles.

After the police arrived and arrested Hitsugaya's father who did not have the dignity to face them, Hinamori was immediately brought to the nearest clinic. She had given her statement and the Hitsugaya's were reassured of his absence.

"All done! Don't aggravate the wound by doing any strenuous arm exercises and change your dressing twice a day, okay Momo?"

She nodded and muttered a soft 'thank you', embarrassed that she was troubling so many people at such a time.

Ichigo's father exited the room, leaving Hinamori with Ichigo and a very pissed off Hitsugaya.

"Oi Momo, why didn't you call for help?" Ichigo started. "It could have been worse if Toushirou didn't turn up in time."

"I'm sorry...he broke my cellphone and took the cordless phone with him so I just chased..."

Before any of them could say another word, Hitsugaya's mother barged into the room and gathered Hinamori in her arms.

"Momo-chan, thank God you're alright! When I saw all that blood, I just thought—..."

"I'm okay...really! You don't have to worry," Hinamori assured.

She swept the hair away from Hinamori's face and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, Momo-chan. You really saved us this time."

Hinamori smiled and was given one last hug before Hitsugaya's mother announced, "Well I'll leave you two now. Come along, Ichigo-kun."

"Go easy on her," Ichigo whispered to Hitsugaya on his way out.

"No shouting," his mother warned.

He let out an annoyed 'tch' and stared at Hinamori, who was sitting very silently and not meeting his eyes.

"Before you scold me," she started, still trying to avert his gaze. "I just want to say that there was nothing else I could do! Well maybe there was, but I couldn't think straight at that time. I'm sorry...for taking matters into my own hands. And I'm really sorry for troubling—"

She found that she was unable to continue as Hitsugaya had pulled her to him, cutting off her speech. Her head rested on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Shirou…chan?"

"Didn't you know it was dangerous?" he chided gently. "I thought I told you not to play the hero."

"I know..." she explained, though her voice was muffled by his shirt." But in that envelope—"

"I know. And I don't care. You're more important than that."

Happiness welled up inside her in that moment and she brought her hands up to return his embrace. "Thank you…"

He rested his chin on her head and encircled her more tightly in his arms as he said, "No, thank you."

And Hinamori knew, without a doubt, that she was the one who had protected.

To be continued…

Okay, the last four scenes aren't that mindless after all, because it shows how Hitsugaya is always there for Hinamori and how he's about the only one who can comfort her and make things right for her and vice versa. I wanted to illustrate a relationship that is built on mutual trust and healing, so I hope I didn't do a bad job.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed reading that. To be honest, I had some difficulty finishing this chapter.

On an unrelated note, it's my birthday this week and I finally turn legal! (But its' not like I will do anything 18-ish, you know…) So…review please? Hehe.

Oh! Look forward to the next chapter, it gets exciting! *Wink*

1 That is approximately $10,000 (USD).