Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Bleach series in any way. All copyrights go to Tite Kubo. The only original character I do own is Kiyoko Kazumi (aka Kuro).

Author's Note: Hey everyone! I'm back with another update of Beyond Perspective. Special thanks goes to anime16, xXShiro777Xx aka Shiro-ouji-sama, icyangel27, peachysnowFan, xXToxicCrimsonXx, Hyourinmaru10, and kitten.

Message to peachysnowFan: I know how much you feel; I want to do that too. However, I have to postpone my killing spree of original characters until later. Grr...Thanks for your review!

Message to kitten: Of course I'll make another chapter. I don't plan on quitting midway. Thanks for the compliment, but I think my writing has a long way to go before it can be compared to something as great as an anime. xD Thanks for your review!

At the end of the last chapter, Shiro and Kuro managed to chase away the Fallen Ones from causing harm to everyone at West Rukon High and Seireitei High, but at a painful cost. Toshiro got poisoned! With only a maximum of two hours to live, will Momo and her friends come up with a cure to save his fading life? Find out in chapter ten! Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking."

Beyond Perspective

Chapter Ten: A Price to Pay

"Oi, how much longer until we arrive at your place?"

As the four students from Seireitei High are running to their destination, Kira looked over his shoulder to the guardian of darkness, who is flying beside him and carrying the ill heavenly guardian on her back. He replied, "It's just up ahead."

He turned his attention to the front. Once he spotted his house nearby, he extended a finger out for Kuro to see.

"Do you see the house with the balcony and mahogany coloured roof? That's my place. You can go ahead and sneak in through the flip window. It's always unlocked."

Kazumi nodded with agreement. "Okay, I'll go ahead."

After giving her a short nod, the female guardian flew ahead. Izuru then turned to his school friends: Momo, Renji, and Shuhei. "Let's go."

They nodded their heads. Together, they ran the rest of the way to Kira's house. Once they arrived, Izuru quickly unlocked the front door and entered the hallway. As they are catching their breaths, Hinamori quickly took off her footwear. She hastily entered the living room where she found Kiyoko reverting back to her normal state. Then, she unzipped her sweater. "Kazumi-chan, where is he?"

She turned to the worried peach girl and then to the unconscious white haired guardian. "I put him down on the sofa."

Worried for him, she extended her hand out. Once she made contact with his arm, he immediately reacted. Momo quickly pulled away as she watched him grip onto a section of his sweater and turned his head over to one side. He heavily panted, desperately seeking for breath. She then turned to Kuro. "Is there really no cure we can provide for Hitsugaya-kun, Kazumi-chan?"

During this time, the boys entered the living room. Kiyoko placed her hand on her chin and thought for a moment. Then, she folded her arms over her chest and stared at the ceiling.

"Don't you have an ability that heals your wounds or cures your status conditions?"

She looked at her. "Unfortunately, I don't."

Hinamori then turned to Hitsugaya. As she watched him in his feeble condition, she recalled the memory of her mother's death. She shook her head and turned to Kazumi. Not wanting to lose another person she knew, she raised her fists up and said, "T-There has to be something we can do!"

Seeing the worried look on the raven haired girl, Kiyoko closed her eyes and sighed with defeat. "Actually, there is one solution I can come up with."

Hinamori's face lightened up. "Really? Then, let's try it!"

Suddenly, a serious expression appeared on her face. "You do understand what you just said."

Wondering what she's talking about, Kira asked, "What do you mean?"

The two girls turned to the three boys. "Using this method to cure him comes with a price to pay."

"A price to pay?" Hisagi asked.

Momo further questioned, "What is it?"

Again, Kuro sighed. She then explained, "I don't know if Toshiro explained to you about this or not. Both him and I only live about twenty-five years at the most before we lose our lives and return to the heavenly afterlife."

Hinamori nodded with agreement. "Yeah, I know that. What does it have to do with all this?"

"Well, the way to heal him is to get a living being with spiritual power to transfer some of their power to him. However, if the Great Guardian finds out about this, she will punish Shiro by shortening the life expectancy of his current reincarnation."

Hisagi and Renji blinked. They looked at one another before resuming their attention to the girls. "The Great Guardian is a female?"

"No way, t-that's too young!" Momo exclaimed. "He doesn't deserve to die that early!"

"Do you still wish to save him despite knowing the consequences?" Kiyoko asked.

Hinamori nodded. "If I let him die, none of us on this land may not even exist once he reincarnates again! We need all the help we can get!"

"She does have a point. If Shiro dies now, we'll most likely run into big trouble especially when dealing with Kyo," Kuro thought. "Okay."

"Where can we find someone who has spiritual power?"

"Don't worry; you're one of them."

"Eh?"

Kazumi then turned to the other Seireitei High students. She further explained, "Your friends are also included in that group. A sign that proves you're a person of spiritual power is your ability to see me and Shiro in our guardian states."

"R-Really? That's great!" Momo said. "How do I transfer some of my power to him?"

"You can do that by kissing him."

There is a silent pause.

"WHAT?" everyone exclaimed.

"You mean by kissing him, do you mean kissing him by the lips?" Izuru asked.

Kuro shook her head from side to side. She raised a finger up and placed it on the place she was referring to. "Yes, it's by the lips."

"Y-You're serious?" Shuhei questioned.

Kiyoko nodded. "Yep."

Renji asked, "W-What kind of stupid rule is that?"

She extended her hands out on each side and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know; blame the Great Guardian for that. She makes up the rules."

"No way." Hinamori looked at Hitsugaya. "I have to kiss him on the lips?"

Just thinking about it caused her cheeks to heat up. She then lowered her head.

"Mou..."

"Well, it's your choice," Kazumi said. "We can always ask someone else..."

Suddenly, a grin appeared on her face. She turned to the boys.

"...Like one of you, for example."

"Oi, that's going way too far!" Renji snapped. "I'm definitely not doing that even if my life depended on it!"

"S-Same here!" Izuru agreed.

"I agree!" Shuhei said.

Kuro giggled. "Relax; I was only joking. If Toshiro was conscious, he would protest as well."

The three males sighed with relief. "Thank goodness we don't have to go through that."

"Yeah," Kira agreed.

"Kazumi-chan." Hearing her name being called, Kiyoko turned to Momo. "I'll do it."

"Hn?"

She turned a few shades darker. "You know, the kissing thing..."

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

Hinamori slowly nodded. "Yes, I-I want to save him."

"Alright then; I only have one warning," Kazumi said. "Once you transfer some of your power to him, you might become tired or very sleepy."

Again, Momo nodded. "Okay."

She glanced at Hitsugaya, who is now breaking a sweat over the pain he's suffering. She then looked at her companions.

"Um, can you guys...leave the room or at least turn around?"

They paused. "Eh?"

"I-I don't want you guys watching me do this."

Kazumi shrugged. "Well, okay then. However, I don't see why you're acting like this."

She and the boys turned around. Hisagi asked his schoolmates, "Did she ever kiss Hitsugaya before?"

"I'm pretty sure they did," Izuru said. "Besides, they used to go out with one another."

"Really?" Kiyoko asked. "They did?"

She then glanced over her shoulder and shot a glare at the ill guardian.

"Damn, he lied to me."

"Lied?" Renji questioned.

She crossed her arms over her chest. "He told me that they're not dating because they only met recently."

"Recently?" Hisagi asked. "When is that?"

"I think it's about two months ago."

"Eh?"

"Now, that doesn't make any sense," Renji said.

They turned around to see Momo getting down on her knees next to Toshiro's side. Feeling suspicious, the peach girl glanced over her shoulder to see the four teenagers watching her. The peach girl suddenly pouted, "Mou, I said to turn around!"

Hisagi, Kira, Abarai, and Kazumi did as they were told. Hinamori sighed with defeat.

"Note to self: be sure to tell them the truth about me and Hitsugaya-kun. We actually never went out with each other before."

She looked at the sick heavenly guardian. She gulped.

"Well, here it goes..."

Momo placed her hands on the edge of the sofa and slowly leaned over. As she is closing the gap between them, Hinamori could feel her heart racing. She is going to be kissing a guy for the first time. Furthermore, it's not just any guy; it's the heavenly guardian.

Just as she is inches away from contact, she closed her eyes and blindly went for it. She pressed her lips against his. After remaining still for few moments, she started to feel the effects. She could feel her strength suddenly leave her. Unable to take it any longer, she pulled back and collapsed to the floor.

Upon hearing the thud, the boys and Kazumi turned around to see what is going on. Kira, Hisagi, and Abarai gasped. "Hinamori!"

"Hinamori-kun!"

As they quickly ran to the peach girl's side, Kiyoko took her time. Izuru got down on one knee and checked her condition. As Renji and Shuhei are watching, Hisagi asked, "How is she?"

He looked at them and replied, "S-She's asleep."

"Asleep?" the red headed teenager asked. "That's it?"

The blond haired teenager nodded. "Yeah."

"Like I said before, she may experience an after effect from transferring her powers to Toshiro." They turned to Kuro. "She just feels exhausted. After a whole day's worth of rest, she'll be back to normal."

"I see." Izuru stood up. "Hey Abarai-kun, can you help me get her on the other sofa?"

"Ah sure."

He walked over to the sleeping peach girl and got down on one knee. With his strong arms, he scooped her up and carried her in bridal style. Then, he transferred the girl onto the other sofa. After gently placing her down, he slowly pulled away. He placed a hand in his pants pocket and turned to the others. He walked over to Kuro, who is checking Toshiro's condition, and asked, "So, how's Hitsugaya?"

She looked at the red headed teenager and smiled. "Thanks to Hinamori, he's going to survive."

Kiyoko glanced at the white haired guardian once more.

"As you can see, all his physical injuries have disappeared and the colour on his face returned back to normal."

"I see," Renji said. After a brief moment of silence, he asked, "By the way, we didn't get your name."

"Yeah," Kira agreed. "We only know you as Kuro, the guardian of darkness."

"Oh yeah, I totally forgot to introduce myself." The East Rukon High student turned to the boys and said, "During this lifetime, I'm called Kiyoko Kazumi."

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Shuhei Hisagi." He turned to his schoolmates. "These two are Renji Abarai and Izuru Kira."

"Yo," the red headed teenager said with a single wave.

"Thanks for helping us back at the school," Izuru said.

Kiyoko smiled. "It's no problem."

Suddenly, they heard a groan. The four teenagers turned their bodies to see where the noise is coming from. It turns out that the heavenly guardian has regained consciousness and is slowly sitting up on the sofa. With his hand placed on the side of his head, he noticed something. He extended that hand out for him to inspect. He is free of any injuries including the faint scars he had from previous fights.

"You're finally awake."

Recognizing that voice, he turned his head to the side to see Kazumi and Hinamori's friends from Seireitei High in his presence. "Kuro."

She placed a hand on her hip. "How are you feeling, Shiro?"

He looked down for a moment before he raised his head up. He replied, "I feel a lot better than I'm supposed to be."

She smiled. "That's good to hear."

Toshiro sighed with defeat and then turned his body to lean against the sofa. "My healed wounds is definitely not natural. You got someone who have some spiritual powers to kiss me."

"What other choice do I have? I can't allow you to die especially at a time like this."

"...That's true."

He stared at the guardian of darkness in disguise. Realizing what he's doing, Kiyoko raised her hands up in mock stance. "Hey, I'm not the one who did that. Besides, it would have been stupid of me to kiss you and shorten both our life expectancy."

Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow. "Well, who else could have done this?"

She then pointed at one of the boys. "One of the guys here."

He rolled his eyes. "Haha, that's funny. Now, tell me the truth. Who really transferred some of their spiritual powers me?"

"Fine, it's Momo Hinamori."

There was a short pause. "...What?"

She repeated, "Momo Hinamori transferred some of her powers to you."

Toshiro then gave her a look. He closed his eyes and sighed with defeat. "Where is she right now?"

Kiyoko then pointed her finger to the side. He glanced over to see the sleeping peach girl resting on the other sofa. After a short moment of silence, he hissed between his teeth. Resuming his attention to his twin companion, he asked, "Why didn't you stop her?"

"She wanted to give you a chance to defeat the evil that is out there."

Hitsugaya folded his arms over his chest and turned his head in the other direction. As he hid the faint blush on his cheeks, he replied, "She's an idiot; she shortened my already short life."

"What? It's not like dying is going to bother you now," Kazumi said. "You've done that plenty of times already."

He sighed with defeat.

"Anyway, you better keep an eye on her. It's the least you can do for her."

She walked by him. "Hey Kiyoko, I don't need you to tell me that."

"Where are you going?" Hisagi asked.

She stopped for a moment and turned around. With a small smirk on her face, she replied, "Now that Toshiro's awake and alright, I don't have to look after him anymore. Besides, I have to head back to school or else my teacher and friends will start wondering where I really am. I practically used the classic fake illness excuse to get out of class and rest in the nurse's office."

Kiyoko raised her hand up.

"I'll see you soon, Shiro." She looked at the boys. "It's nice meeting you again."

Just as she is about to leave, a thought came into mind.

"Oh yes, I forgot something."

She walked up to the white haired guardian. Then, with her two fingers, she flicked his forehead. As a result, Hitsugaya placed both hands where the pain is. "Ouch, why did you do that for?"

Kazumi folded her arms. "That's for lying to me about your relationship with Hinamori."

"What are you talking about?" he asked after putting his hands down. "Why would I lie to you about me and Hinamori?"

She gave him a look before pointing a finger at Momo's schoolmates. "How come the two stories we heard about you two are different?"

Toshiro looked at Momo's friends and then sighed with defeat. He explained, "The story Hinamori said to them is a lie. It was made up just to make sure they don't find out about my guardian identity."

"So, you and Hinamori dated initially?" Renji asked.

He shook his head. "No, we didn't."

"And that includes kissing?"

Hitsugaya blushed. "Of course not!"

"I see."

"Ah, I just realized something," Kazumi said. "You just lost your very first kiss to Hinamori!"

Toshiro turned a shade darker. "Y-You don't have to rub it in!"

"Eh, your first kiss?" Kira asked.

"You have one sad life for someone who lived countless of past lives," Renji commented.

Hitsugaya snapped, "Uruse!"

Kiyoko giggled with amusement. "Anyways, I'll get going. Bye everyone!"

"Later," Abarai said.

"See you," Hisagi added.

"Bye," Kira called out.

"Ja ne." Once they heard the front door open and close afterwards, the boys turned to the white haired guardian. Toshiro stood up from his seat and walked over to the sleeping Momo, who is lying on the sofa. "She's just like her mother; always caring about other people's well-being."

He raised a hand up and pressed his fingertips against his lips. After a moment of silence, he closed his eyes and let out a sigh. During this time, he changed back to his normal state. By the time he reopened them; he put his hand down and turned to Izuru, Renji, and Shuhei.

"Whatever happened today, please don't tell anyone about it."

"Ah yeah," Kira said as he slowly nodded.

Abarai placed a hand on his hip and let out a smirk. "Heh, we don't need you to tell us that. Besides, we can sort of figure it out especially after Hinamori told us the whole story about your situation."

Hisagi nodded with agreement.

Toshiro cracked a faint smile. "Thanks."

"So, what should we do now?" the older teenager asked.

Hitsugaya glanced at Hinamori before resuming his attention to the boys. "The Fallen Ones won't be causing anymore trouble. So, we can relax for the rest of the day."

"That's good to hear," Izuru said as Renji sighed with relief.

"So, what should we do about Hinamori?" the red headed teenager asked. "Should we let her stay here?"

"It's fine with me, but I have to come up with a valid excuse to say to my parents once they come home."

The white haired teenager took another glance at the sleeping peach girl. He suggested, "I'll take her home. You guys can go home and rest."

"Eh?"

"Are you sure, Hitsugaya?" Hisagi asked.

"I'm fine," Toshiro replied. "Besides, Hinamori healed all my injuries and replenished all my strength."

The three teenagers looked at one another. "If you say so, we won't stop you."

With a short nod, he turned to Hinamori. He extended his arms out and scooped her up from the sofa. As he turned around, Izuru walked up to the white haired teenager to give him her bag. "Thanks Kira."

He let out a faint smile. "It's no problem."

"I'll see you guys some other time."

The three students from Seireitei High nodded with agreement. Hisagi said, "See you, Hitsugaya."

"Later," Renji added.

Toshiro walked past them and said, "Ja ne."

He then left the living room to put on his and Hinamori's shoes at the front entrance. Once he is done, the white haired teenager changed to his guardian state and left the Kira household. Seeing that there is no one around, he scanned for any spiritual presence. Once he confirmed it, he flapped his wings a few times before he took off into the skies. Knowing exactly where her house, it didn't take long before the white haired guardian to arrive at his destination.

"Her grandmother is not home yet."

He looked over to see Momo's bedroom window open. He closed his eyes and sighed with relief. If it wasn't open, he had to borrow Hinamori's house key, which is in her bag, to get inside. He carefully flew into the Hinamori household. Once he is in her bedroom, he walked over to her bed. With a single hand, he pushed the blanket to the side and then gently laid her on the mattress. After he pulled her away, he draped the blanket over her sleeping form. He stopped to look at the unconscious teenager.

Noticing that her bangs are covering her face, he extended his hand out and brushed it to the side. He quietly pulled his hand away and walked for a bit. Then, he took a seat on the bottom edge of her bed. After taking another glance at Momo, he made his decision. Until her grandmother returns or she wakes up, he will look after the sleeping peach girl.

"Thanks Hinamori for saving my life."

Japanese World Translations

Uruse - Shut Up, Ja ne - Good Bye (informal/casual)

Author's Note: Well well, I wonder how things will turn out between Toshiro and Momo in the next few chapters. xD Hehe, anyways...what is going to happen next? You know what to do: stay tuned to the next chapter! Please review! Thanks.