Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Bleach series nor their characters in any way. All copyrights go to Tite Kubo. The only original characters I do own are Kiyoko Kazumi (Kuro) and the Fallen Ones: Aoi, Akane, Kero, Midori, and Murasaki.

Author's Note: OH YEAH, I'M ON BREAK FOR THE WINTER HOLIDAYS! YAY! Now, I can finally concentrate on my HitsuHina fan fictions and my annual Christmas season short shots. XD Special thanks goes to my wonderful reviewers: icyangel27, Lil 'EyeCandy, Lulu22Temmy, ShinjiLuver123 (x2), anime16, shadowrukia6613, and Hyourinmaru10.

Message to Lil 'EyeCandy: Yes, I do have to agree with you. I put a lot of effort in this chapter and I'm quite satisfied with it. Now that you have mentioned it, I really have come a long way since I started writing fan fiction. shudders Man, I really sucked back then. xd Thanks for your review!

Message to Lulu22Temmy: No one would like seeing their friends' deaths. I know I wouldn't. Thanks for your review!

Message to ShinjiLuver123: All HitsuHina fans wouldn't want them to lose one another including me. However, as the writer, it's my job to create some suspense, drama, and possibly tragedy to the story. It just feels plain without those elements included. Anyways, thanks for your review!

Without any further adieu, here is chapter thirteen. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking."

Beyond Perspective

Chapter Thirteen: On Short Fuse

The five Fallen Ones are sitting in their seats around the long table, anxiously waiting for Kyo to say something. He is too busy looking at the scenery outside from the window. None of them wanted to say something to him. He looked like he's ready to murder someone on the spot. They could tell from reading the strange vibe around him. Suddenly, he called out someone's name. "Gray."

Heads turned to the side to see the gray winged guardian, who is leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. Ichimaru let out a wide grin and replied, "Yes Kyo-san?"

Aizen turned his head to the side. "Do you know why Daichi is not here?"

The Fallen Ones looked back and forth between the two guardians. "From my sources, Kuro sent him to the underworld."

"Hn, really?"

He nodded with agreement. "Yes sir. If I wasn't around, Shiro would have sent Kero to the underworld as well."

The yellow winged Fallen One shot the gray winged one a glare. "Kyo-sama doesn't need to know that bit of information. I could have taken care of Shiro without your help."

Sosuke resumed his attention to the front. Seeing the reflection on the window, he looked at the Fallen Ones who are attentively listening to the conversation. "I see."

After a brief moment of silence, he turned his body around to face them. As he leaned against the edge of the window sill, the shaggy haired man held up the glass of red wine in his hand. Without any warning, the glass shattered into pieces, spilling the liquid contents on the floor. The Fallen Ones jumped with surprise while Gray frowned. "Now that's a waste; you spilled your wine all over the clean floor."

"It can always be cleaned up later," Aizen said. "For now, let's talk about our next plan."

"Kyo-sama is pissed off," the Fallen Ones thought.

He walked over to the empty seat on one side of the table and sat on it. After putting one leg over the other, the grinning man rested his chin on the knuckles on his right hand.

"Shiro and Kuro have managed to defeat one of our allies. We can't afford to go easy on them anymore."

"What should we do?" Aoi asked. "We still don't know their whereabouts nor their identities as living beings."

Ichimaru let out a grinning look on his face. In the meantime, Sosuke replied, "We may not know either of those two important facts, but we do know at least one of them will show up at a certain location."

"Where would that be?" Kero further questioned.

"They have a tendency to make their way here in Seireitei High."

The Fallen Ones began looking at one another. Murasaki asked, "They usually come here to this school?"

"Yes," Aizen replied. "During my time here, I've been analyzing the spiritual composition around this place. Oddly, there is a fair amount of Shiro's spiritual presence lingering around. Some of his spiritual energy dates back to the time before I started teaching here."

"Then that means he comes here every once in a while."

The other former guardians nodded with agreement. Akane turned to Kyo and asked, "So, you're going to ask us to cause havoc here in Seireitei High again?"

Sosuke let out a smirk. "Oh yes, that's exactly what I want you all to do. The only reason Shiro and Kuro comes here pretty often is because they have developed a good relationship with some of the students attending this school."

"Yes sir."

Gin then turned his attention to the window. As he watched the sun beginning to rise, his initial grin grew wider. "Things around here are about to get interesting again."

Hitsugaya let out a sigh as he stood in front of the most unlikely places to be right now. Normally, he would only make some effort to come here on a yearly basis. However, he decided to make this trip to the cemetery an exception. Besides, he had something important to think over and discuss with the woman who saved his life years ago.

He quietly stood in front of her grave as he listened to the gentle breeze blow. Soon, he lowered his head and began thinking about the vision he dreamed of two days ago. He saw the dead body of Momo Hinamori lying on the ground.

Toshiro raised his head to look at the grave once more. "According to the rules of the heavenly afterlife, guardians are not allowed to interfere with the lives of the living beings."

The white haired teenager soon turned his head over to one side.

"Especially guardians who are able to foresee the near future, they absolutely can't change the fate of those they see."

He resumed his attention to the front.

"I'm sorry to break the news, but...I won't be able to keep your promise. I won't be able to protect Hinamori on the destined day where she will be ceased to live."

Hitsugaya sighed with defeat. Even though he said all that, he still wanted to do something to change this predetermined fate. Over the time they've spent together, Momo has become one of his most important friends. Because she is an important friend, all he could wish for is to enjoy the life he has left with her. This is the main reason why he hated this ability.

"Until that day happens, I'll make sure that she lives her life to its fullest. It's...the least I can do for her much to my dismay."

He paused.

"Sometimes, life is just being unfair."

Suddenly, he heard a ringing sound. He stuffed his hand into his pants pocket and took out his cell phone. After pressing a button with his thumb, he held it against his ear. He answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Oi Hitsugaya, where are you?"

Toshiro made a face. "I'm nowhere important; why are you calling me?"

"Well, you're definitely not at your house."

There is a short pause. "You're at my place, aren't you?"

"Yep."

He sighed and asked, "Don't you have anything else better to do than to hang out with me? We still can't go back to school."

"I know, but going shopping all day long suddenly turned boring."

"Go on a date with Ichimaru."

Again, there is a pause. "Why don't you go on a date with Hinamori?"

"Oh shut up, Hinamori's at school right now."

"So, you like her after all."

"No, I didn't say that," Toshiro replied. "Even if I did, I can't ask her to ditch class."

"Aww, you're so supportive."

The white haired teenager made a face. His patience is at its peak. "...I'm hanging up."

"Okay, I take those words back!"

"You better do that."

"You're stingy." Hitsugaya growled. If he were to see her right now, he would might end up turning her into a Popsicle. "So, where are you right now?"

"I'm at a cemetery."

"Eh, you're visiting the dead? That's rare of you to do that."

"Yeah, it is."

Toshiro turned his body to the side. He raised his head up to see the passing clouds and birds in the sky. Suddenly, he realized something. He turned his head to the side and began sensing for the spiritual presence nearby. He narrowed his eyes. "Oi Hitsugaya, are you listening to me?"

"Sorry Matsumoto, I have business to take care of."

"...One of them is nearby?"

"It seems like it."

Then, he heard a defeated sigh. "Okay then, you better come back safely."

"I'll try. Ja ne." With that said, Toshiro pressed a button to end the conversation. After stuffing it back into his pocket, he resumed his attention to the gravestone. "I'll see you soon."

With no time to waste, he quickly changed into guardian state and flew into the sky. He looked back and forth, trying to trace the presence. By the time he did, he followed it.

"It's coming from a school." As he got closer and closer to the destination, he noticed something. He is flying over a bunch of familiar buildings. He raised his head up. "Don't tell me that Seireitei High is their target again?"

Suddenly, he heard his phone ringing again. Hitsugaya took out the portable device from his pocket. After pressing a button, he held it up against his ear.

"Hello?"

"It's me."

"Kiyoko, where are you right now?"

"I just ran out of class. I sensed something coming from the western direction."

Toshiro nodded. "I'm flying over there now. I think Seireitei High is their target again."

"Again? Man, that school sure is a guardian magnet for trouble."

"It's because of our spiritual presence."

"Huh?"

"They must have tracked our spiritual powers and it leads them there," Hitsugaya explained to his ally who is on the other line. "After visiting that place several times and fighting there, it's possible that there are some traces of our spiritual pressure left behind."

"Hn, you got a point there."

"Anyways, I'll meet you at the school."

"Okay."

"Ja ne."

"Bye."

Hitsugaya hung up on the conversation and put his phone away. He picked up his pace and quickly flew his way to Seireitei High School.

The school bell rung. As the students are leaving their seats to meet with their fellow schoolmates, Renji is stretching his arms into the air. "Finally, it's break time!"

Kira, who is sitting beside him, let out a hesitant laugh. He turned his attention to the peach girl, who is busy staring at the scenery outside through the window. "Hinamori-kun." She didn't reply to his name calling. "Hinamori-kun."

Again, she didn't answer.

"Hinamori-kun!"

She finally snapped back to reality. Momo turned her head to the other side to see the pale haired teenager. "Eh?"

"Oi, are you alright?" Abarai asked. "Kira has been getting your attention in the past minute or so."

"Ah yeah." She nodded with agreement. "I'm alright."

"You were daydreaming," Izuru pointed out.

The peach girl placed a hand on the back of her head. She hesitantly laughed. "Hehe, sorry about that."

"She's not daydreaming," Renji said. "She's probably worried about Hitsugaya."

"Eh?"

"Hitsugaya-kun?" Kira asked. "Why him?"

The red headed teenager placed his hands together on the back of his head. He leaned back against his seat and replied, "Isn't that obvious? It's because he's not like any one of us here. Plus, he's always getting into danger."

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot."

"Then again, it's part of his job."

Momo looked down at her joined hands and slowly nodded with agreement. "Yeah..."

Renji is right; she was thinking about the white haired teenager. Because he didn't return to school yet, he could be out there somewhere risking his life for their safety. Besides, he is the type of person who works hard.

"I shouldn't be too worried about him," she thought. "Besides, he's old enough to take care of himself."

Suddenly, she placed a hand over her mouth and let out a soft yawn. Little did she notice, her fellow schoolmates are doing the same. Kira said as he placed his arms and head on the desk, "For some reason, I feel...very sleepy."

Renji closed his eyes and folded his arms over his chest. After getting comfortable in his seat, the red headed teenager mumbled, "Me too..."

Momo rested her head in the comfort of her arms which are placed on the table. She let out one last yawn before falling asleep. Soon after, everyone else followed her lead. After a several snores in the background, someone entered the room. The gray haired teenager scanned the room to make sure every student is fast asleep. A grin appeared on his face. He turned around to see his superior in his presence. "All the students in here are sleeping like babies, Aizen-sensei."

Sosuke placed a hand on the door frame and grinned back. "That's good to hear."

"Thank goodness we have Midori-chan on our side or else we won't be able to pull off this trick."

"Yes, I do have to agree."

Then, they heard the sound of running footsteps. The two guardians in disguise stepped out of the classroom to see their allies coming at them. One of them called out to the history teacher. "Kyo-sama!"

"What is it?" Aizen asked.

"It's just as you planned," Kero said. "Kuro and Shiro are headed this way right now."

The brown haired man turned his body to the side and let a sinister smile. Just as he walked past his five followers, he gave them a sharp look and instructed, "Do not lose to them again; use any means necessary to eliminate those two guardians from this world."

"Y-Yes sir."

They turned around and watched the history teacher leave them alone with Gin. The gray haired teenager turned his attention to the windows on the side of the building. He let out a wide grin. "Let's see how you handle this situation, protectors of peace and harmony."

"What should we do?" Midori asked. "If we fail Kyo-sama again, he'll probably punish us."

The other Fallen Ones nodded with agreement. Murasaki said, "Kyo-sama's definitely on a short fuse today."

Aoi looked inside the classroom to take a quick glance at the sleeping students. Suddenly, he let out a smirk on his face. "I have just the thing that will stop both Kuro and Shiro in their tracks."

"Really?" Akane said while placing a hand on her hip. "What would that be?"

By the time Hitsugaya arrived on property, he stopped for a moment to scan the area. His eyes narrowed. "They're inside."

He took a closer look at some of the students he could see in the classrooms.

"Everyone else has fallen asleep. This is definitely Midori's work." He extended a hand out and summoned his icy sword to appear. He took hold of the sword's hilt. "I have to at least drive the Fallen Ones away before they wake up."

Just as he is about to go search for an entrance inside the building, he was stopped by a familiar voice. "Oh no, we're not letting you anywhere near the staff and students."

Hitsugaya looked around to find himself surrounded by four Fallen Ones. They all summoned their weapons in their possession. Akane let out a grin and said, "You can't run, Shiro."

Toshiro placed both hands on the hilt of his sword and raised it up. "I'm not running. I'm here to at least chase you away from this place."

"Unfortunately, you won't get very far with that," Murasaki said. "You're against four of us."

"I beg to differ!" Upon hearing the echoing voice, everyone raised their heads to see a dark shadow flying down. Kazumi landed behind Hitsugaya. By the time she stood up again, she is positioned back to back with the white haired guardian. She raised her sword up in preparation for battle. "It's two against four now."

Toshiro took a quick glance at Kiyoko and let out a faint smile. Then, he resumed his attention to Kero and Murasaki. On the other hand, Kuro is facing against Midori and Akane. Shiro added, "I suggest you start thinking smart. Both of us are capable of battling two opponents at once."

"Oh, we will do that," Akane said. "Besides, Kyo-sama's patience is on the short end of the stick."

"Hn, so he might show his face here," Kazumi concluded.

"In that case, we have to defeat you all before that happens," Hitsugaya said.

One of Akane's eyes twitched. "Oi Shiro, don't start getting cocky on us."

Toshiro gave them a stern look before sighing with defeat. "They're still not admitting to the inevitable truth."

"We're not being cocky," Kiyoko said with a smirk on her face. "We can back it up by kicking your sorry butts to the depths of the underworld."

The red winged guardian suddenly raised a hand up and summoned a fireball. "Can I fry her now?"

"Not yet," Midori whispered. "Just wait a little longer for Aoi to be finished."

Akane growled. "She's pissing me off with that look on her face."

Kuro took a quick glance over her shoulder to look at Shiro. Once their eyes met, he silently nodded with agreement. With a short nod back, she resumed her attention to the front. "Enough with all the small talk, it's time to get things started! Come and get us!"

"Oh yes!" Akane exclaimed before charging at the two guardians. "I will!"

She let out a fierce yell as she raised her whip above her head. Just as she is about to strike down on the guardian of darkness, she felt something tugging on her. By the time she realized it, she is stuck onto a series of spiritual threads like super glue.

"W-What is this?"

Kazumi let out a smirk. "That's what happens when you get too impatient. Before I confronted you all, I put up a nice spiritual net around Shiro and myself. Anyone who makes contact with it will get stuck in the net."

"A net is around you two?" Kero asked. "How is that possible? We were watching Shiro the whole time. There's no way for us to miss you flying by."

"That's true if you're talking to a regular guardian. However, you're dealing with the guardian of darkness. I can easily move without you realizing it."

The yellow winged guardian then narrowed his eyes. "That's right; you have a shadow ability that allows you to hide your presence in the darkness."

She smiled. "Ping-pong! You're right!"

"Argh, let me go!" Akane exclaimed, struggling to break free.

"Sorry, but we're going to leave you hanging for a bit."

At that moment, Hitsugaya made his move. Using one foot as a catapult, he charged in between the two male Fallen Ones. Aware of the white haired guardian's presence, they charged at him as well. Just as they strike their weapons down at Toshiro, he suddenly disappeared from their sights. As a result, they ceased their attack and began looking around. "Where did he go?"

"I'm right here." Recognizing the voice, they raised their heads to see Shiro flying down at them. He managed to kick Murasaki in the stomach, sending him falling to the ground below. The violet winged guardian let out a yell. "That's for poisoning me in our last confrontation."

Then, he raised his head and noticed Kero throwing a few daggers in his direction. With a few swings of his sword, he knocked the daggers away. He swung his sword one more time to create a field of ice in front of him. As Kero is kept busy, Toshiro quickly flew down to Murasaki. He extended his free hand out and summoned an ice chain with a crescent moon shaped hook. He took hold of the chain and threw one end towards the violet winged Fallen One.

Upon noticing his chain, Murasaki threw his kunai with chain. As a result, the two chains tangled around one another. Both users pulled their chains back and initiated a battle of strength. The violet winged guardian said, "You have some nerve to challenge me in a battle of strength. Do you really think you have what it takes to overpower me with that body of yours?"

Though what Murasaki said is true, Hitsugaya already took the extra step. A grin appeared on his face. He raised his hand up and tightly gripped onto his chain. His hand lit up in a flashing yellow light. He exclaimed, "Tsuzuri Raiden!"

Suddenly, an electric current was channeled from his hand and ran on the chain. Realizing what is happening, Murasaki let go of his chain and jumped back. Now in possession of his opponent's weapon, Hitsugaya threw and hooked it around a nearby tree. The violet winged Fallen One hissed between his teeth. Just as Toshiro is about to strike him, he heard a loud shatter.

The heavenly guardian raised his head up to see Kero flying down and throwing several electrical daggers in his direction. Shiro swung his sword above his head and created an ice shield to block the attack. With another three swings, he shattered the ice into pieces. Afterwards, he commanded the broken ice pieces and fired them at Kero. The yellow winged guardian flew from side to side and dodged the attacks. Then, he swooped down to strike the guardian at close range.

During this time, Murasaki reclaimed his kunai with chain from the tree and flew towards Hitsugaya. Sensing the other guardian behind him, Toshiro flew up and avoided making contact with the two Fallen Ones. He then twirled around and got behind Murasaki. He raised his sword up. Suddenly, several pillars of ice appeared around the two Fallen Ones. After it circled around them several times, Toshiro turned his sword ninety degrees counter clockwise. "Sennen Hyoryo!"

All of a sudden, the ice pillars closed in on the two guardians and trapped them inside the ice prison. Shiro turned away from his attack and let out a sigh. Finally, he got a chance to take a breather. He took a quick glance over his shoulder to see if Murasaki and Kero broke out of the ice.

"That should keep them busy for a bit." He turned his attention to the fight with Kuro, Akane, and Midori. The two Fallen Ones are having a difficult time dealing with the guardian of darkness. "It's only a matter of time before Kiyoko stops them. In that case, I should go find a way inside the building."

Just as he is about to leave the battlefield, he heard a voice, "Oh Shiro!"

Hitsugaya stopped and looked up to find the blue winged guardian standing on the building rooftop. He had a snickering look on his face which caused Toshiro to narrow his eyes with great suspicion. "What are you up to, Aoi?"

"Oh, it's nothing really that significant except..."

"Except for what?"

"...I have a certain student in my possession. She's currently hanging around somewhere on the school roof." Suddenly, he placed a hand on his chin. His grinned turned wider. "I wonder what would happen if I drop her from this height."

"You better let her go," Hitsugaya said. "She has nothing to do with us."

"I beg to differ. Besides, she's already quite involved with you. Plus, I wouldn't be too surprised that she became what you call a close friend."

At that moment, the person Aoi's referring to dawned to him. Toshiro's eyes widened. The blue winged guardian let out a nasty smirk.

"I can see that you know who I am talking about. That's right; your raven haired friend's life is in the palm of my hand." Aoi extended his hand out for him. Hitsugaya turned around. Upon laying eyes on her, he could feel his heart suddenly skip a beat or two. He thought about the vision he saw recently in his sleep.

"No…"

Momo is standing on the edge of the building with her head tilted forward and her eyes closed. Knowing too well that she's unconscious, the only support she has is Aoi's powers. "One wrong move you make and she'll be taking the one way ticket to the afterlife."

"Not Hinamori."

Japanese World Translations

Ja ne - Good Bye (informal/casual), Sensei - Teacher

Author's Note: Momo has been taken hostage! Ah, that's not good! How is Toshiro going to react to this? What is going to happen next? Well, stay tuned to my next update! Please review!