Annnnnnnnnnnnd, I bring you another update! XD THANK YOU ALL for all the reviews; I broke a personal goal with your help. (glomps you all while plunnies throw confetti) I really appreciate the supportive feedback from you guys. :D

On with the theme, hope you guys like it! Remember; constructive criticism always accepted, flames will be used to start a bonfire to dance around. X3

Taste

#23 candy

Hitsugaya glanced at the colorfully wrapped confection in Hinamori's hand doubtfully. "A sweet?"

"Uh huh. Rukia said she found it in Ichigo's room and gave me one to try." Hinamori began unwrapping the candy carefully. "She told me it tastes good."

"Are you sure it's safe for consumption?" Hitsugaya watched as Hinamori placed the plastic wrapper on the table. "No natural food can possibly be so bright a color."

Hinamori ignored Hitsugaya's skepticism as popped the sweet into her mouth. Almost instantly, her eyes widened then closed in pleasure as the flavor exploded and overrode her tongue. "Oh!"

"What? Is it okay? Are you okay?"

Hinamori opened her eyes to meet Hitsugaya's worried ones. "This is so good!" She allowed the sweet to roll in her mouth, savoring it for as long as she could. "I wish you could taste this too, Shirou-kun."

"I could, if you'd let me."

"Eh?" Hinamori stared at Hitsugaya in surprise. "But it's already gone." And even as she spoke, the last fragment of sweetness melted and flowed down her throat.

"I have my ways." Hitsugaya's expression was unreadable. Hinamori looked at him a while longer, trying to decipher the intent in his eyes.

"There's no kidou that can replicate anything, you know, especially something that's already finished."

"I won't use kidou." A teasing, secretive smile was beginning to spread across Hitsugaya's face. "Do remember, Hinamori, I am a captain."

Something about his infuriating grin was triggering strange reactions within Hinamori as she struggled to squash down the rising flush that was starting to heat up her cheeks. "Well then, prove it. Tell me how the candy tastes like."

"Like I said earlier, Hinamori, I'll need your permission."

Now that piercing gaze was beginning to unnerve her. She quickly nodded, trying to avert her eyes from his and failing miserably. "Alright, I grant you my permission."

Then before she knew it, there was a warmness upon her lips, pressing against them softly and searchingly as his arm supported the both of them from falling off the chair completely. She fell back against the wooden backing of her seat, overwhelmed by him completely.

All too soon, he had leapt back into his own chair, the very picture of indifference if not for his eyes, sparkling with amusement at the look on her face. "Hmm…it does taste rather sweet. I have to agree with you though," he shot her a meaningful look. "It does taste good."

And the sensation of him kissing her ran through her again, filling her with a rush more heady than that of the sugar bits in the candy. "I…don't suppose…that you'd like to taste it again, would you…Shirou-chan?"

His eyes met hers in silent understanding. "Actually, I would…if you wouldn't mind….Momo."

"No… I wouldn't mind at all."

And he rose, approaching her…

-

"So did you like the candy, Hinamori-san?"

Hinamori lifted her head to look at Rukia, smiling cheerfully. "Oh, the candy was wonderful! And the aftertaste even more so. Thank you so much, Rukia-san!"

Rukia watched as the vice captain walked away humming happily, confusion in her features. "Aftertaste? What aftertaste?"