Author's note: Ok, so from the reviews, I basically got the message that most of you want Momo to win the race and Karin to just drop dead lol. You'll just have to read on to find out what happens and thank you to all those that reviewed. Well, here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or any of its characters.
Chapter 11: Race's End
Beads of sweat traveling down both their faces, and scratches and injuries all over their bodies. This test was beginning to prove to be quite challenging for both the girls. Surprising to both Momo and Karin, they were both tied by count of jewels. However, Momo was slightly behind in the trail for the next jewel.
Karin sneakily hid in the bush watching the five guards watching over the next jewel. She contemplated on what course to take to retrieve it, and it was then that she noticed Momo.
With Tobiume already summoned, Momo prepared to challenge the guards. "That idiot. There's no way she'll win in that condition." As she secretly scorned Momo, she got an idea.
Momo, with her current and inadequate control over Tobiume, could only control one of the energy balls at a time. With this and the fact she was already pretty worn out, it was no surprise she found herself at the losing end of the battle. Just when the guards were about to finish the battle, Karin jumped in between her and the guards.
"Black ash!" A stream of ash to spewed out from Karin's palm, covering the guards. She then cast some more spark spells to knock them out.
"K-Karin? You saved me."
"Yea, well, I guess I just wanted to make it up to you about before. Competition just brings out my bad side, so… sorry." Momo looked at her and then accepted her apology. "Oh, it's ok, Karin, and thanks again for helping me. Now, let's go get that jewel."
"Yea." She gave Momo a smile and they both went on the path to the jewel, with no one else to get in the way. Even with their combined powers, they still had a fair share of difficulties, but each time, one of them was in trouble, and the other would pull them out of trouble.
Through their efforts, they both managed to obtain the remaining jewels before the time limit was up.
Most of the other knights were at the finish line waiting for them to finish. "They're finally back." Noted Komamura.
The two tired girls reported to Yamamoto with their jewels. "You two finished the test together I see."
"Yea." They both responded.
"Very well, I shall review your test results and consult with you two tomorrow on your ranks. You are dismissed."
"Bye Karin!" Momo said before giving her a friendly hug. She gleefully yet tiredly ran over to Hitsugaya. "Hitsugaya-kun! I actually got all of them."
"Yea. You did well." Her eyes lit up at Hitsugaya's compliment. Hitsugaya took her out to go and celebrate and of course, to eat. When Momo saw all the food on the table, she hungrily ate it, leaving an amused look on Hitsugaya's face.
"You must be tired after today."
"Yea, and if it wasn't for Karin, I would've failed the test!"
"Karin helped you?"
"Yup." She wiped her mouth clean and flashed a smile towards Hitsugaya. After finishing up all the food, Toshiro paid for the food and the two returned back to their room. "Shiro-chan-"
"It's Hitsugaya."
"Yea, yea SHIRO-CHAN." She emphasized his pet name. "Anyway, if I get a knight rank tomorrow, then I would be the same rank as you."
"Keep dreaming. It's almost impossible to get a knight rank through just one test." His words seemed to dishearten Momo's spirit. "So… you don't think I could do it?"
Hitsugaya suddenly felt really guilty for making her like this. "I-I, well… I" He struggled to find the right words to say to not hurt her feelings again. He patted her head like a child, and spoke. "You did fine. I'm sure. You don't even need to get a high rank. I'll always protect you." When he realized what he had said, his face was immediately covered with tint of red.
"I-I mean I'll help you when you need it."
"Aww, you're so sweet, Hitsugaya-kun." She nudged him and laid her head on his shoulder affectionately. To her surprise and satisfaction, he didn't pull away. "Whatever." Was all he responded with.
"Hey, you two love birds!" Matsumoto came, catching up with them. "We're not love birds!"
"Momo-chan seems to think so, don't you, Momo-chan?" She gave her a wink, which made Momo quickly separate from Hitsugaya and frown at her. "MATSUMOTO-SAN!"
"Oh, come on. You know I'm only kidding. Hitsugaya's all mine!" She hooked her arms around his neck. Hitsugaya stood was shocked and couldn't even muster a thought. Momo's reaction was a gasp. "AHA! I heard that! That proves it! You have feelings for Hitsugaya and you know it!"
"I do not." She looked away, slightly angry with herself for falling for such a trick.
Hitsugaya walked on ahead without those two, and they quickly went after them. "Don't worry Momo-chan. I was just kidding about before. He's all yours." She said with a knowing smile.
"Matsumoto-san, I don't feel that way about him…"
"Sure you don't. Now, come on, we'll go get something to eat. Wait up!" she yelled at Hitsugaya, who looked back, only gave them a bored look. "Hurry up then." When Momo caught up, she stood in the middle of Hitsugaya and Matsumoto.
The three of them went to the nearest restaurant. "So, I bet you're tired after today, Momo-chan."
"Just a little. Why?"
"If you're not that tired I'd like to take you somewhere later."
"If it's ok with Hitsugaya-kun, I'd love to go."
"Oh great! So, Hitsugaya, you wouldn't mind if I took Momo somewhere tonight, do you?"
"I do mind."
"Oh come on, you can stand one night without sex, can't you?"
"MATSUMOTO!" His voice roared throughout the restaurant, alerting one of the waitresses.
"Knight Hitsugaya, would you please keep your voice down for the sake of the others." She nervously retreated backwards after giving him the message.
"Look what you made me do, Matsumoto!" he hissed.
"Yea, sure. Anyway, Momo will be safe with me."
"I said no and I meant it." Momo looked back and forth between Hitsugaya and Matsumoto, watching their argument. She realized they were very close, but it was more of a friendship then a love relationship.
"Please."
"Where are you going?"
"Sorry, classified information."
"Then no."
"Oh come on, Shiro-chan. Please?"
"Do you know how dangerous these intruders are?"
"Yea, but Matsumoto will be with me. So please, Shiro-chan?" This time, she added in a cute smile, making Hitsugaya waver in his decision.
"Matsumoto, if anything happens, you better be ready for your punishment." He warned, while Momo and Matsumoto's face lightened with smiles. "So I can go?"
"Yea, just make sure to be safe, and Matsumoto, no matter how natural it is for you, don't do anything stupid." He said with a faint smirk.
"Hey! I don't do stupid things!"
"Sure."
They finished up their dinner and parted ways. "Matsumoto-san, where are we going?"
"You'll see when we get there." She kept silent for the rest of the walk.
They walked into the hospital, and were greeted by Unohana. "Good evening, Unohana-san." Momo greeted politely.
"Good evening Hinamori-san. It's nice to see you're doing fine from today's test."
"Thanks." When Unohana left Momo looked back at Matsumoto.
"What are we doing here?"
"There's someone you have to see."
"I have to?" she thought of all the people she knew here and couldn't think of anyone she would have to see.
Matsumoto opened the door and let Momo in first.
Momo's reaction to seeing the person was to take a step back.
"Kira-kun…" She took a couple more steps backwards towards Matsumoto.
"Hi Momo."
Author's note: And there's the next chapter to Magical Love, my favorite story. Only one person guessed it. Also there might (I'm still not completely sure) be character deaths. If there are, just don't say I didn't warn you, but don't worry, everything will work out in the end. I'll update when I reach 170 reviews.