Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Bleach series in any way. All copyrights go to Tite Kubo. The only original character I do own are Satoshi Hitsugaya and Naomi Yoshida-Hitsugaya.


Author's Note: Hey everyone! I'm back with another update! Thank you for all your patience especially my awesome reviewers: becomeafan, anime16, Evertale, icyangel27, peachysnowFan, fayfan, Crystal183, KoKomimicHan, MoonLightView, Desiree, sabrina, peachesandstrawberries, lol, and queen gaga.

Message to lol: Hehe, if I were to make Hitsugaya jealous of Kira, it would happen in the later chapters when Hitsugaya's relationship with Hinamori improves. xD But anyway, thanks for your review!

Without any further delay, here is chapter seven. Enjoy!


LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking." Long Flash Back. Short Flash Back.


The Faithful Promise

Chapter Seven: The Forgotten Day

Ten Years Ago...

"Please don't forget me."

He gave her a stern look. "What makes you think I'm going to forget a Bed-Wetter like you?"

The peach girl let out a pout before she looked away, trying to hide the blush on her face. She slowly said, "Maybe when we see each other again, we might become even closer friends than now possibly to the point we might...decide to spend the rest of our lives together."

Hitsugaya then shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose..."

Her face suddenly lightened up. "You really mean it?"

He nodded. "It's not like I hate you or anything."

Happy to hear him say those words, she walked up to him and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek. Surprised by her action, he placed hand on where her mark is and asked, "W-What was that about?"

"A faithful promise has been made between you and I. I'll make sure to remember and keep it. As for you, you better do the same."

The car started honking. "Um, sure...whatever you say."

"I'll see you again someday, Hitsugaya-kun."

"Oi, it's Hi-" Her words sudden dawned to him. "Wait, you called me by my last name."

After showing him one last warm smile, she turned around to go inside the car. Watching her from the back window, he saw her take out his dragon plush for him to see. She then started waving him good bye. In response, he raised his hand up and did the same.

He whispered, "See you soon..."


Satoshi Hitsugaya entered the kitchen to find his beloved wife standing in front of the counter, slicing vegetables for tonight's family meal. He looked around the room, but a certain child of theirs is absent. "Naomi-chan, have you seen Toshiro anywhere?"

She stopped for a moment and glanced over her shoulder. She replied to her husband, "He's in the front yard right now, planting Momo-chan's peach tree."

"I see; I'll go see him."

Naomi smiled and nodded. She watched her love leave the kitchen. She let out a content sigh and continued preparing dinner as Satoshi went outside to see what his young one is up to. Hitsugaya sat in the middle of the grassy yard, struggling to pour dirt into the recently planted tree with a large shovel. All of a sudden, he lost his balance and fell backwards onto the grass. "Ouf."

He placed a hand on his behind and numbed the lingering pain.

"Ouch, that hurts..."

Then, he heard a chuckle. Hitsugaya glanced over his shoulder to see his father standing behind him. "You sure did a fine job planting that tree, Toshiro."

The white haired boy looked at the peach tree and raised an eyebrow. Judging from the way it looks right now, he didn't do a really great job with planting it properly. It's standing on one side. He resumed his attention to the older Hitsugaya and replied, "Well, I don't think I did. It looks a bit...weird."

He placed a hand on his waist and took another look at the tree. He grinned with amusement. "Even though what you said is true, for a child your age, you've a done a decent job on your own."

Satoshi placed a hand on Toshiro's head and brushed his hair from side to side. The young Hitsugaya raised his head and smiled.

"Let me handle the rest of the work, okay?"

Toshiro happily nodded. He patiently watched his father fix the position of the tree and fill the hole with dirt (using a shovel). Once he's done, Satoshi took a moment to wipe some sweat off his forehead using his wrist.

"Boy that was hard work. All we need to do now is give it some water."

It is when Hitsugaya got on his feet. "I'll go get the watering can from the garage!"

Seeing his son hurriedly run towards the garage, Satoshi placed the shovel on one side of his shoulder and followed the active boy. "Oi Toshiro, slow down! You might accidentally trip your foot over something and fall down!"

The six year old boy glanced over his shoulder and reassured his parent, "Don't worry; I'll be carefu-Ouch!"

Realizing that his son has suddenly fallen to the ground, he called out his name, "Toshiro!"

Hitsugaya sat up and checked his arms and legs for any injuries. Luckily, he only gained some minor scratches. He said, "I-I'm okay! It's nothing se-serious!"

Satoshi merely shook his head. Kids these days don't understand the dangers of what they're doing. He walked up to his son and helped him get back on his feet. He inspected the scratches and then brushed the dirt off his clothes. "Be careful next time, okay?"

"Yes Dad."

Together, they went into the garage to carry out the watering can and fill it with some water using the outdoor faucet. After that, they returned to the peach tree. Satoshi watched Toshiro water the plant on his own. Once he is done, he put the watering can down on the grass before looking at Tobiume. Moments later, he lowered his head and sighed with defeat. "What's wrong, son?"

"...I miss her."

The Hitsugaya father let out a soft smile, feeling sorry for the boy. Even though it has been only about three hours since she and her family left for America, Toshiro already feels lonely. He placed a hand on the young child's shoulder, getting his attention. He suggested, "Why don't we go shopping for a bit? I'll buy that brand new soccer ball you wanted to replace for your old one."

All of a sudden, his face lightened up. "Really?"

Satoshi nodded with agreement. "That's right; do you want to go?"

"Of course!"

"Then, what are we waiting here for?" he asked. "Let's go back inside and tell your mother about it."

"Hai!"


"Okay Toshiro, let's see what you've got!"

With a grin on his face, Hitsugaya dribbled the newly bought soccer ball across the field. Seeing that his father is leaving his stationary position, he used this opportunity to make his move. Just as he is about a few centimeters away from colliding with the older Hitsugaya, he changed direction and went around him.

"You're not getting away that easily!"

Hitsugaya glanced over his shoulder to see Satoshi chasing after him. "We'll see about that!"

By the time he resumed his attention to the front; he stopped and lifted a leg back. With all his strength, he kicked the ball into the net. He punched his fist into the air and cheered.

"Yay, I scored again!"

Satoshi chuckled with amusement, walking up to his child. "I was only going easy on you."

Toshiro stopped and frowned at his father. "I know," he replied. "Can't you go at full strength for once?"

"If I were to do that, you would lose all the time."

"That may be true right now, but in a few years, I'll completely surpass you!"

"Oh, really now?" He scooped his son from the ground and carried him on his shoulder. "Then I should take that as a challenge, right?"

Hitsugaya hugged his father and grinned. "Yep!"

Satoshi took a moment to look at his wrist watch. "My my, look at the time! We better go home now or else your mother is going to give us one hell of a lecture."

As he put Toshiro back on the ground, the six year old boy giggled. "Yeah."

The white haired man placed a hand on his head and ruffled through his hair. "Come on."

With a short nod, Hitsugaya ran over to the net to pick up his soccer ball. After returning to his father's side, they started their walking journey home. "I wonder what Okaa-san made for dinner."

"Hn, it's probably your favourite."

"Watermelon?"

Satoshi chuckled. "No, that's for dessert. It's probably fried fish, steamed vegetables, and rice."

Toshiro licked his lips. "Mmm, just thinking about it makes me starving."

"Me too."

All of a sudden, someone passed by them and roughly pushed Satoshi into the telephone booth. "Oto-san!"

Just as Hitsugaya is running to his father's side, something wrapped around his body and lifted him off the ground. He dropped his soccer ball on the ground in the process as he struggled to break free. However, the grip on him is too strong. In the meantime, Satoshi is recovering from the fall. "Ouch, that hurts..."

"Ah, let me go!"

Hearing his son's voice, Satoshi turned around and widened his eyes. His son has been taken as a hostage. "Toshiro!"

Several police cars and policemen caught up and pointed their guns at the kidnapper. One of them exclaimed, "Thief, we have you surrounded! There's nowhere to hide!"

"Stay back if you know what's best for you!" he exclaimed. Raising his gun up, he placed the muzzle against the side of Toshiro's head. He turned the safety off. The boy's eyes widened with horror. "One wrong move and say good bye to this little boy!"

Hitsugaya cried, "Oto-san, help me!"

The police growled with frustration. "Put the boy down!"

The robber took a step back. "Never!"

Toshiro called out to his father again. "Oto-san!"

Angry, the thief yelled at the boy, "Shut up kid or else I'm going to blow your head off!"

Scared for his life, Toshiro's eyes turned teary. He bit the bottom of his lip, preventing himself from crying out loud. Despite his efforts, he sniffled as tears started to roll down his cheeks.

"Good."

Satoshi hissed between his teeth. He has to get his son out of danger or else the robber might do something to Toshiro. As a result, he would never forgive himself for losing his child. Then, he noticed his soccer ball rolling across the sidewalk. He looked up at the kidnapper and then down at the ball. He has made his decision. The Hitsugaya father ran and kicked the soccer ball towards the thief's face. "Eat this!"

Sensing danger, he turned to the side, pointed his gun at Satoshi, and pulled the trigger. He missed his target and ended up punching a hole through the soccer ball. When he resumed his attention to the front, the potential threat charged at him.

"Let go of my son!"

The two men collided with one another. In amidst the collision, Toshiro was set free and fell to the ground. The next thing he knew, he heard the sound of a firing gunshot. Hitsugaya gasped and shut his eyes. He quickly lowered his head as low as possible and covered his ears with his hands. Seconds later, another one was shot. "You're under arrest for thievery, hostage taking, and the injuring of an innocent bystander."

Toshiro shot his eyes open and raised his head. Injuring of an innocent bystander? The only people who got were him and his fa-He gasped. "Oto-san!"

The boy scrambled to his father's side to see his condition. During this time, the several policemen handcuffed the thief and took hold of his possessions. The others checked up on him and his father. One of them took a quick look and noticed a gash of blood is coming out of his recently opened wound. "Call an ambulance quickly!"

"Yes sir!"

"Don't worry, kid; your father is going to be alright."

Hitsugaya slowly nodded with agreement before turning to Satoshi.

"Please you have to wake up..." He pleaded, nudging the lifeless body with his bare hands. "Oto-san, you have to be alright."

All of a sudden, he noticed a hand twitch. His worried face suddenly lightened up as he saw his father's smiling face.

"Oto-san, you're okay."

Satoshi slowly raised his hand and placed it on his son's cheek. Then, he brushed a section of his bangs aside. He apologized weakly, "I...I'm sorry for destroying your soccer ball like that."

"It's okay," Toshiro replied. "You can always get me another one, right?"

The Hitsugaya father looked down to see the condition of his wound. He's losing a lot of blood and fast. It's causing his head to spin. He looked at his child. "Toshiro...listen to what I have to say. If...If anything happens to me, pr-promise that yo...you will look after your mother..."

"Huh, what do you mea-"

"Do you promise?"

Judging by the serious look in his eyes, Hitsugaya slowly nodded with agreement. "I-I promise..."

Satoshi placed his hand on his head and gently ruffled through his snowy white hair. Hitsugaya became worried. The way he is brushing through his hair is not as rough as before. "Now...that's my son; I know...y-you won't let me...down..."

All of a sudden, his hand dropped to the ground like a rag doll. Toshiro's eyes widened and started shaking his body again. Continuously, he called out to him, "Oto-san! Oto-san!"

Seeing that his efforts were no use, he turned to the policeman that was nearest to him.

"Mr. Policeman, t-there's something wrong with my father!"

"What did you say?" He got down on one knee and checked the body's pulse. "He's not breathing! Somebody give him CPR!"

Several policemen started gathering around. As one of them is performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Toshiro helplessly watched. He closed his eyes and started pleading to the heavens for his father's survival. "Please let him live. Please let him live."

After a few minutes, the policeman performing CPR stopped. He turned to his co-workers and shook his head. One of them placed a hand on Toshiro's shoulder, getting his attention.

"How is he?" Hitsugaya asked. "Is he going to be alright?"

"I-I'm sorry; your father...he's dead."

Toshiro's eyes widened. "No...He can't be."

"Boy, this is the truth."

Tears started to flood into his eyes and down his cheeks. He continuously shook his head, refusing to believe a word they said. "You're lying! You're all liars!"

"I wish we could do something to stop this, b-but we were too late..."

Toshiro placed his hands over his face and cried out loud. Though he said those words, he knew the truth. He could tell just by looking at the lifeless body that is laid in front of him. He's not stupid. His father had been acting strange in his final moments and now, there is no use denying it. Satoshi Hitsugaya could not be with him anymore; he's dead.


Naomi Hitsugaya strolled back and forth across the living room, waiting for her husband and son to come home. She stopped for a moment to look at the clock hanging on the wall. It is seven thirty in the evening; it is way past their dinner time. She sighed with defeat and took a seat on the couch. "I hope nothing bad has happened to them."

All of a sudden, she heard the sound of sirens. Wondering what is going on outside, she left her seat to check things out from the window. A police car is parked in the driveway. Coming out of it is two policemen and a familiar face. She gasped and quickly hurried to the door. After opening it, she ran out to embrace her child.

"Oh my gosh Toshiro, what happened?" Naomi asked, looking down at the boy. "Where's your father?"

By the time he looked up, she noticed that there were tears in his swelling eyes. He has been crying over the past little while.

"What's wrong, Lil'Shiro? Why are you crying?"

Hitsugaya sniffled a few times before hugging his mother. He suddenly cried out, "I-I-It's my fault! Ot-Oto-san...H-He died trying to protect me fro-from a bad guy!"

Naomi gasped and raised her head to seek confirmation from the policemen. They lowered their heads and slowly nodded. Feeling sad, the mother went down on one knee to take a face to face look at her son. After he paid attention to her, she cracked a soft smile and hugged him tightly. "There there, my little one," she said. "It's not your fault that all this happened."

"Yes it is my fault! I-I was too weak to do anything!"

Unable to hold it in, he rested his chin on Naomi's shoulder and cried some more. During their moment of sorrow, one of the policemen apologized, "We're really sorry for what happened to your husband, Mrs. Hitsugaya."

Naomi looked up and shook her head. "No, I should be thanking you for bringing my son home safely."


He lay in bed for a long time. However, he couldn't bring himself to falling asleep. His mind is too occupied over the recent events. Toshiro sat up and crawled out of bed. Leaving the safety of his bedroom, he walked through the dark hallway in search of his parents's bedroom. He hoped his mother could do something about his sleeping problem.

When he finally arrived at his destination, he placed his hand on the doorknob and turned it. Just as he is about to enter the room, he noticed something and quickly pulled back. Leaving the door to slightly opened, he took a moment to take a peek at what's inside. His mother is awake and sitting on her bed. Buried in her arms, she was sniffling.

Realizing that she was crying, Toshiro lowered his head. She has been holding back her tears until now. With one last look at his mother, he quietly closed the door and returned to his room. After sitting on his bed once more, he wrapped his arms around his legs. Arching over, he silently cried until he was too tired to release anymore tears.

"Please let me forget any of this has ever happened," he whispered. "This is all nothing, but a bad dream."


Present Time...

Hitsugaya's slowly opened his eyes and raised his head to look around. Realizing that he is in his room, he sighed and leaned back against his seat. He concluded that he has fallen asleep while he was doing his homework. Feeling something on his cheek, he placed a hand on it. Recognizing what he's feeling, he looked down at his fingertips. They were his tears. "Oto-san..."

Without any warning, he heard his bedroom door being knocked on. He quickly wipes his tears away with an arm and turns around.

He asked, "Who is it?"

The door slowly opens to reveal the raven haired girl standing behind it.

"It's you..."

Momo let out a soft smile and lowered her head. After a short moment of thinking, she raised her head up again and said, "Hey, umm...Naomi-san asked me to bring these up to your room."

Toshiro looked away, trying to find the proper words to say to her. "Um...Thanks, you can put them on the table at the side."

She did as she was told. For a few silent moments, Hitsugaya thought about apologizing to her again.

"Um, Hi-"

Hinamori suddenly interrupted, "Well, I guess I'll leave now..."

He looked at her and slowly lowered his head. "O-Okay..."

With a short nod, she left the room and closed the door behind her. Hitsugaya suddenly turned back to the front, closed his eyes, and let out a sigh. Raising two fingers up, he massaged his temples. Once again, he failed to say sorry to the peach girl.

He looked up at the white ceiling and stared blankly at it. Memories of his last moments with his father surfaced in his thoughts.

"I miss her."

Hitsugaya remembered saying those words a long time ago. However, he can't seem to remember why he said that. Everything that has happened before that forgotten day has been nothing, but a blur. It never bothered him before, but for some reason, he just wanted to remember those moments.

"Why can't I remember it?"


Japanese Word Translations

Hai - Yes, Okaa-san - Mother, Oto-san - Father


Author's Note: *sniffles* Poor Toshiro, he needs a hug...from Momo. xD Anyway, stay tuned and find out what happens in my next update. Please review! Thanks.