Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! All copyrights of this series goes to Tite Kubo. The only thing I do own are my original characters, Hinamori Tatsuya, Hinamori Miyako, Hayashi Tamotsu, and Saito Suzuna.

Author's Note: Hehe, I kept you waiting long enough, right? Sorry about the delay, I wanted to make sure this chapter is typed up and edited to the best of my abilities. Thank you BLEACHISAWESOMEANDIMAWESOME XP, MoonLightView, feronia. wings, star-gazing-in-LA, samantha, KnowledgeandImagination, darklover, rolf-hitsugaya, Neko-cheung, Sun Geisha for your precious and motivating reviews! In the previous chapter, Hitsugaya got injured after saving Hinamori from a terrible fall and had to seek help from Suzuna. Then, Hitsugaya's feelings for Momo are revealed to the doctor. During this point in time, Hitsugaya is determined that his chances to be together with Momo are over, leaving him not only emotional on the outside, but also the inside. What will happen next? Well, you just have to read and find out. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking or Dreaming." Flash Back.

Secrets Foretold

Chapter Ten: The Baby's Father

She is in pain. It hurts so badly. Momo is hyperventilating. "It's alright Peach!" she heard her mother call out to her. "Just breathe like this 'heef', 'hoof', 'heef', 'hoof'!"

Doing as her mother instructed, she then heard her husband's voice coming from the side. "Just a little longer love," Hayashi said. "In a few minutes, our baby is going to breathe his or her first breaths into this world."

"Alright then, she's good to go," Suzuna said. "Momo-chan, start pushing!"

Momo closed her eyes and grunted. "It's coming out!" Miyako exclaimed.

"Just a little more Momo-chan...give another push."

"You can do it Momo-chan," Tatsuya said.

The raven haired girl took a deep breath and gave another push. She gripped her hand tightly onto Hayashi's hand. "You can do it Momo-chan," he said. "Give it all you've got."

Minutes later after pushing and grunting, she suddenly heard the first sounds of crying. "Congratulations Momo-chan, our ba--what?"

Momo blinked and struggled to sit up. "W-What's wrong?"

The four people were stunned at the sight of the newborn. Miyako slowly looked up at her and finally said, "This baby...is not Tamotsu-kun's at all."

"Momo-chan..." Hayashi stated before he was interrupted.

"You got that right," Tatsuya said. "As a matter of fact, the child very much looks like..."

Momo gasped as she woke up to find herself in bed in cold sweat. Her breath is heavy for the next few minutes. She felt like her heart is about to burst. Looking over at the side, she sees Hayashi at her bedside, deep asleep. After calming herself down, the raven haired girl struggled to sit up and leave the comfort of her futon. She slowly walked over to the door, opened it, stepped out, and quietly closed it behind her. In her loose nagajuban, Momo looked down and placed a hand on her swollen round stomach. She gently rubbed it. Looking up into the stars above her, she let out a sigh.

The nightmare she had a while ago was not her first one. Over the past two months, things have been becoming for difficult for Hinamori to physically move around and to have a good night's sleep. "It will come true if I let this drag along for too long," she thought. "Tomorrow, I have to make it my priority. I must tell him no matter what..."

When the sun is high up in the sky hours later, Momo knew what she had to do. She found him at the courtyard, directing his subordinates to their patrolling stations around the gates. (A/N: Note, two months past by since the previous chapter. So, Hitsugaya's elbow injury is healed up nicely.) She slowly made her presence known by approaching him. Once the Shinigami officers left their captain, Hitsugaya turned to the side and was about to go somewhere else when he stopped. He noticed her. "Hinamori."

"Hey..." Momo looked down on the ground and then looked up again. "Um, do you have a moment?"

Taking a few steps towards the raven haired girl, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Actually, there something...important I need to tell you."

Just as she is about to continue explaining, her voice is dominated over by an all too familiar loud voice. "Taicho, big problem!" Matsumoto exclaimed as she made her appearance between the white haired captain and the raven haired girl.

"What is it Matsumoto?" he asked.

"Hollows have been located nearby. Should we take them out?"

"We should in case they decide to invade this place." Hitsugaya turned to Hinamori. "Sorry, we'll talk about it later after we take you to safety and eliminate the Hollows, okay?"

"Um, yeah...sure," Momo replied.

With a nod of agreement, the young genius turned to his lieutenant. "Matsumoto, watch over her."

"You got it captain!" Matsumoto replied. "Let's go Hinamori."

She wanted to tell him as soon as possible, but unfortunately, Momo has to patiently wait for the next opportunity she and Toshiro are together alone. "Hai Rangiku-san."

"I heard from your mother that you're having a harder time sleeping these days," Matsumoto said. The fukutaicho of the tenth division safely took Hinamori back to her room in the main house as Hitsugaya is away exterminating the Hollows with a group of his subordinates.

"Yeah, I am," Momo agreed as she sat on a chair gently rubbing on her round stomach with her hand. "The baby has been moving around too much in there."

"So ka? It must be very active these days."

"The baby is giving me so much hard time these days. There were a few times I thought I was in labour."

"I see. So, it's practicing."

"I guess...I wish it would stop so I can rest for once."

Matsumoto giggled and then said, "There's only one month left until that baby of yours is born."

She lowered her hand to see her continue to rub her stomach. "Yeah...only one month left."

"From that point, you're going to be busy all the way. You might not even have a chance to see a few people including me and taicho."

Hearing Hitsugaya's title being mentioned, caused the girl to imagine the scenario of her life with the baby. If she is lucky, her child wouldn't inherit any of its father's appearance and her secret can continue to remain quiet. However, what are the chances of that happening? Either way, she is not going to risk those chances at all. Momo then mentally shook the thought away. She promised herself that she would confront him and tell the truth. It is no time to be chickening out.

Suddenly she imagined another scenario with her and her child. Her folks found out the truth and they all abandon her refusing to help her take care of the newborn. In that picture, the baby's father also refused to bear the responsibility with her. It would be a terrible life; the life of a single mother. "Hinamori, hello?"

Momo snapped back into reality and turned to see Matsumoto next to her. "N-Nani Rangiku-san?"

"You were spaced out for a while. Is there something wrong?" she asked.

She slowly shook her head. "No, there isn't. Don't worry about me. I'm alright."

Matsumoto knew she is lying about that, but she won't go nagging her about it. She'll tell the truth whenever she's ready. Besides, she has her, Hitsguaya, her parents, and her husband at her side to help with her problems. "I see..."

Hinamori didn't get another chance to be alone together with Hitsugaya until two days later. Miyako asked him to accompany Momo to the Suzuna's office again for another check up. The days are getting closer to the due date and things related to the baby are becoming more of a top priority. "It's expected that the baby is going to be moving around during this time around," Suzuna explained. "Besides, it's getting ready for the big day. So it needs to change into the correct position before the time comes."

"I see."

"By now, you should also understand that it's getting a lot harder to move around and feel the need to use the washroom more frequently, right?" she asked.

Momo nodded with agreement. "Hai."

"My advice is to continue to do what you have always been doing. Be sure to stay cautious at all times Momo-chan." She then turned to Hitsugaya. "Since you're here Hitsugaya, be sure she doesn't become a klutz. She has a tendency to do that without realizing it."

He then snorted. "Tell me about it. I lived with her for most of my life. So, I understand completely what she is like."

Momo made a blow fish pout at the both of them. "You two are so mean, Suzuna-chan and Hitsugaya-kun!"

"What? It's true," Suzuna said.

"I have to agree with her Hinamori," Hitsugaya agreed. "You tend to be absent minded."

"Mou..." the raven haired girl said. "Since when did you two start getting along so well?"

Saito smiled and raised a finger at her. "It's a se-cret." Her happy expression turned into a frown. "And no, I'm not dating this little punk."

Hitsugaya gave her a short glare. "I'm not a punk."

"By the way," the doctor added, "where is Hayashi anyway? He should be the one showing up to these appointments instead of Hitsugaya. What's up with him?"

"She's not even listening..."

"Oto-san, Okaa-san, and Tamo-kun said that they have to attend a neighbouring family for a while," Momo replied. "They won't be back until later at night."

"So ka? Some father your husband is..." Suzuna commented.

"Daijobou, when he comes back home, Tamo-kun is always asking me questions about my condition. He does care for me. He has...his own way to look after me, that's all."

"I see. If I were you, I would have ditched him for this guy here," Suzuna said pointing her thumb at the white haired Shinigami. "He would be a more suitable father for the baby."

Hitsugaya gave her a look. "Oi Saito."

She then slapped her hand against his back, causing the Shinigami to slightly lose his balance. "Anyway, I would love to talk to you guys a little long but, it's time for you two to leave. I have another patient that will be coming in within the next few minutes. The next appointment is within the next two weeks if Momo-chan doesn't go into labour before then, okay?"

Luckily, Hitsugaya managed to keep his composure and regained his posture. After fixing his haori, the white haired genius turned to Suzuna and nodded with agreement. "Alright, I'll tell Miyako-san."

She smiled. "Take care you two."

"Ja ne Suzuna-chan," Momo added.

With that said, Hitsugaya took a hold of Hinamori's hand and helped her get back on her feet. Once she stood up safely, the captain of the Gotei 13 guided her out of the doctor's office.

When they returned to the main house, the day is about to approach its end. It started to set down to the horizon. Matsumoto met up with her captain and friend inside so that they can eat dinner together. "Umai! It tastes so good!" the fukutaicho exclaimed. "All it needs now is some sake."

Hitsugaya immediately gave her an icy glare. "Matsumoto..."

She put up her hands in mock stance. "Hey, it's only a suggestion and don't worry, I won't force feed Hinamori with it. Besides, she's not allowed to consume any alcohol."

The white haired prodigy then turned his head to the side and kissed between his teeth. Momo knew he is in no mood to deal with her. The raven haired girl decided to change the subject. "So, how did you find your stay here Rangiku-san?"

"It's pretty comfortable actually," Matsumoto replied happily. "Thanks for asking Hinamori."

"That's only because you get to have your own separate room with the rest of the female Shinigami here," Hitsugaya commented.

"Yeah and it's all thanks to you taicho. If you were a meanie, you would have hogged the room for yourself, leaving us girls to sleep with a bunch of smelly guys."

Hitsugaya immediately shot an icy glare at her.

The tenth division lieutenant then added, "You know I'm not including you into the mix. You're such a grouch over the smallest comments."

"Uruse," he retorted before returning to finish his meal.

"Never mind. That didn't work either..." Momo thought.

"Oi Tobiume, that's mine!" exclaimed a voice as she slammed her hands on the table.

Hinamori, Hitsugaya, and Matsumoto turned their heads to the side where their zanpakuto partners are eating together at another table. "What are you talking about Haineko?" Tobiume snickered. "I didn't see your name on it!"

"That is why I left it off to the side so that I can eat it last!"

"Well SORRY for not knowing!"

The feline zanpakuto noticed a piece of salmon sushi Tobiume left off to the side. With a snickering look on her face, she decided to take revenge on her. With swift movement, Haineko swiped her food and ate it. By the time the kimono girl noticed, she immediately stood up from her seat and exclaimed, "Ah, my sushi!"

Folding her hands over her chest, the female cat spirit proudly chewed on her food and swallowed it down her throat. "Mm, now I understand why you like it. It has this nice softy like taste."

"Give it back Haineko!"

"No way! I already ate it!"

As the two zanpakuto spirits began arguing with one another, Hyorinmaru is stuck in the middle of all their yelling. Letting out a sigh of defeat, the dragon spirit quietly left his seat and left them to stand at his master's side. "Master Toshiro..." he said.

"There's no need to ask Hyorinmaru," Hitsugaya replied. "If I were you, I would have done the same. Other than that, I would have already froze them on the spot."

With that said, the zanpakuto spirit sat down next to his master and continued his meal. Hinamori and Matsumoto both sighed with defeat. "Those two never seem to give up fighting against one another," Matsumoto said. "I can't believe them."

"Me too," Momo agreed.

Matsumoto let out a sigh and turned to her captain. "Why doesn't your Hyorinmaru argue like our zanpakuto?"

"Because he has no reason to start a fight with them like your Haineko and Tobiume," Hitsugaya replied. "It seems to me that those two will always have disputes with one another because they hate each other. I'm quite amazed that they're able to work together to a certain extent."

Soon after, Haineko rushed to Hyorinmaru's side and grabbed one of his arms while Tobiume did the same to his other arm. "Darling, beat up Tobiume!" she exclaimed. "She's a meanie!"

"What are you talking about?" Tobiume asked. "Hyorinmaru, she's the real meanie here!"

"Darling!"

"Hyorinmaru!"

Hitsugaya gave a weird look at the two female spirits. To be honest, he actually felt sorry for his zanpakuto being dragged into their problems and everything. The relationship between the three of them is totally different from the relationship he shared with Matsumoto and Hinamori. "Aren't you lucky that you're not in his shoes?" Matsumoto asked.

"Matsumoto, finish your meal or else I'm going to keep you on night duty all the way until tomorrow afternoon," Hitsugaya threatened.

"Yes Captain."

Late into the night, Matsumoto left for her night patrol duties, leaving Hitsugaya and Hinamori alone together. "Thanks for cooking us dinner," Hitsugaya said.

Momo nodded with agreement. "Iie, I should be thanking you for cleaning up and making the bed for me. You know since...it's getting really hard for me to take care of my chores the way I usually do it."

"It can't be helped." The white haired Shinigami gently held onto the raven haired girl's hand as she slowly sat down on the ground and crawl into her futon. "Are you alright now?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Arigato Hitsugaya-kun."

With a short nod, he got ready to leave her bedside until all of a sudden, Momo grabbed his wrist. He turned to her and noticed a serious look on her face. "What's wrong Hinamori?" he asked.

Momo slowly tilted her head forward and then looked up again. "Do...you have a moment to listen?"

Knowing that she is troubled with something, Hitsugaya let out a small sigh and sat back down next to her. "Alright, I'm listening."

She could feel her heart beating faster by the minute. The air around her suddenly gotten heavier. "Hitsugaya-kun, for a while now...I have wanted to tell you something important."

"Yeah, I remember. You weren't able to say it because of all the interruptions," he replied.

Momo nodded with agreement. "It's about my baby."

"The baby?" Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow. He asked, "Is there something wrong with it?"

She shook her head back and forth. "It's not it. The baby's healthy and everything."

"Then, what's wrong Hinamori? I don't quite understand why it is me who you wanted to tell. Why can't it be your husband or your mother and father who you're going to tell about Hayashi's child?"

"Hitsugaya-kun." Momo lowered her head so that he couldn't see the eyes under her bangs. "The thing is...the baby inside of me doesn't belong to Tamo-kun at all."

There was a silent pause.

"W-What?" he suddenly asked. "The baby is not his, b-but why?"

"There is something important you should know."

"What is it?"

"Well, you see...the baby inside you doesn't belong to your husband, but someone else."

"W-W-What? Someone else? How can tha--"

"I'm not sure Momo-chan, but this is the truth. I know this is not right of me to ask you this, but...is there someone else you've slept with aside from Hayashi-kun?"

"..."

"Momo-chan?"

"...yes. There is only one other person."

Suddenly, Momo opened her eyes and slowly looked up into the emerald-teal eyes of her childhood friend. "The truth is...my baby. Well, i-it belongs to you."

After hearing that sentence, he felt the world stop all of a sudden. Hitsugaya blinked a few times, trying to comprehend the new information in his thought. He couldn't believe what she just said. Never in his whole life, he could have predicted this scenario would happen. "M-Mine? The baby is...my child?"

Momo slowly lowered her head again and nodded with agreement. "Yes, you're the father of my child."

"Momo-chan, is that true?" said a voice.

She bolted up and gasped. Hitsugaya and Hinamori turned to the side to see the additional person who just happened to come into the room at the most crucial time. She wanted to tell him later, but it seems like fate wanted him to know as well. Her husband, Hayashi Tamotsu is standing at the door in shock as he is in the presence of the tenth division captain and his own wife. "Tamo-kun..."

References

Nagajuban - the white robe layer under the kimono, Shinigami - Soul Reaper, Hai - Yes, Fukutaicho - Lieutenant/Vice-Captain, So ka - Is that so/Really, Nani - What, Oto-san - Father, Okaa-san - Mother, Daijobou - It's Alright, Ja ne - Good Bye (informal/casual), Umai - Delicious, Taicho - Captain, Uruse - Shut Up, Zanpakuto - Soul Cutter, Arigato - Thank You

Author's Note: Dun dun dun! O.o OMG, not only Toshiro finds out the big secret Momo has been keeping for so long, but Hayashi too. What will happen next? What I can say...it's definitely not going to be pretty. In the meantime, please press the pretty green button below to review. Thanks!