Warning: Mature content

For the reviewer who requested a lemon.

I just want to explain something about the oneshot here. The format goes like this: what Hitsugaya says (in italics), followed by a scenario and ends with what he actually means (in italics). So the first and last sentence of each scenario correspond.

Chapter 25

Between the Lines

Words: 1867

Long before Hitsugaya and Hinamori got to where they were now, the former was usually cryptic with his words. There were always hidden meanings behind them; and if you weren't paying attention, you'd missed them.

"You shouldn't have gone out like that."

She looks up at him from her seat in the 4th Division barracks. She's weary but still manages a smile.

"I know," she admits. "But if I hadn't done that, these people wouldn't have made it to the 4th Division."

Hitsugaya knows she's right because it was her impulsiveness that got most of them to safety. She had rushed into the battlefield without hesitation, her primary goal was to extricate as many wounded Shinigamis who were unable to receive medical attention as possible. Hinamori alleviated the situation by using her healing Kido, which not only relieved many of the injured, but also lightened the burden on the 4th Division.

The battle was not over and it was Hinamori's inevitable misfortune that she crossed the path of an enemy. She hadn't counted on fighting but she wasn't given much of choice. However, with sheer will and strategic wit, she defeated her opponent but not without sustaining injuries herself.

Hitsugaya knows she's right but the bandages around her arm and the hidden ones that he knows are under her uniform send a tinge of pain through him. Looking at her put on a façade and pretending that her wounds didn't hurt makes him worry that one day, she might truly get hurt trying to prove herself.

"I was worried about you."

"It's…nice," was Hitsugaya's hesitant reply when he was asked how Hinamori looked that evening.

"It's nice?!" Matsumoto exclaimed. "That's all you can come up with? She looks gorgeous!"

The compliment made Hinamori blush. She was adorned in a yellow kimono which was wrapped nicely around her body so that her slim figure was noticeable. Her maroon obi wound tightly under her bosom and the pink lotuses that peppered her kimono contrasted beautifully with her attire. The long sleeves went all the way down to her knees, accentuating the 5th Division vice-captain's elegance.

"Thank you, Rangiku-san," Hinamori said politely.

"You're welcome," the older woman replied, taking a break from berating her captain. "Well, at least it's a compliment. I only got a 'hn' from Captain when he saw me."

Matsumoto looked flawless in her own kimono as she always did but Hitsugaya was more interested in his childhood friend. As the two ladies conversed about the festival they were about to attend, Hitsugaya can't help but stare longingly at Hinamori. She always looked lovely to him, but tonight she was stunning. He wished there were more opportunities for her to dress up.

"I'll see you later Hitsugaya-kun," Hinamori said suddenly, interrupting his train of thought.

"Huh? Okay," he answered lamely, watching her kimono sway with each step she took.

As Hinamori left, Matsumoto approached him with a look of disapproval on her face.

"Captain, you really need to work on your flirting techniques."

That merely earned her a glare and before he could retort, Matsumoto continued, "Come on, I told Hina-chan I'd join her in a little while. In the meantime, you need to get changed."

"Changed for what?" Hitsugaya protested.

"For the festival!" she exclaimed, ushering him away. "You're going to attend it whether you like it or not. Hina-chan will be happy if you did."

It shut him up for a while, because he would really like to see her again. As he thought about how she looked just now, Hitsugaya wished he could have told her his true feelings.

"You're beautiful."

"Don't worry."

Hearing those words caused a wave of relief to wash over her. They were the only ones trapped in these plains, courtesy of the opponent across from them. He, or it, was grotesque to say the least, with pupil-less eyeballs and a chest that splits open to devour its unfortunate victims, only to seal itself again. Despite what she tells herself, she was still scared.

But the familiar reiatsu that enveloped her was more than reassuring. She couldn't see Hitsugaya's face clearly, for he was standing in front of her but she could see the side of his face and noticed that he wore a determined expression. He was frowning, but he appeared so indomitable it made Hinamori feel the same way too.

Hitsugaya was studying their opponent. It didn't move, and it didn't seem like it was going to make the first move. But neither was Hitsugaya. He didn't want to be reckless, he had someone to protect. Standing in front of her, Hitsugaya positioned Hyourinmaru slightly in her direction so that he could reduce the reaction time should the enemy strike her first.

Their hearts pounded in their chests as they readied themselves for a battle in a foreign landscape. From the reports, these individuals were of captain-class at least and the fact that theirs was being so cautious made matters worse. Nonetheless, what fear they had was superseded by their resolution for they had someone to fight alongside with.

"I'll protect you."

"Stay."

His voice comes up barely above a whisper and it sounds like a plea. Hitsugaya sits on the edge of his bed, his eyes cast downwards so Hinamori cannot see the fatigue on his face.

"I'm here," she assures.

Hinamori kneels down in front of him, cradles his head in her hands and lifts it up to meet her eyes. His teal eyes have lost its usual glint; they're dull and search her brown ones for answers. She cannot give him that, but she gives him comfort instead. His mouth is set in a thin line, devoid of any hint of joy. Hitsugaya allows his defences to fall in front of her and he rests his head on her shoulder, grateful for the warmth that her hands and body emit.

Drawing a breath, he says, "There should have been another way."

Hinamori strokes his head carefully, up and down in a soothing rhythm. "You did the best you could."

She knew being a captain wasn't easy. It came with its fair share of risks and regrets, but that was a part of this life. You deal with it and you move on. It was harsh, but it was necessary. She'd been through it before and she was lucky to have people to help her through it. One of them was Hitsugaya, and she was going to do the same for him.

He moves away from her shoulder and stares into her eyes. She looks so understanding and comforting, it pulls Hitsugaya towards her. Tentatively, he presses his lips to hers softly and when she doesn't move away, he kisses her fully. His cold hands reach for her neck and pull her closer to him. Hinamori responds to his kiss instinctively and only breaks the kiss for air. She stands up quite abruptly and Hitsugaya thinks she's going to leave. Instead, she pulls him up to stand and leads him to the side of the bed.

Hinamori runs her hands down his arms and says, "I'm not going anywhere."

Hitsugaya's eyes are filled with gratitude because he needs her now more than anything. He kisses her again and they find themselves on his bed, peeling away their uniforms. They remove their robes one by one until they are both completely bare. Hitsugaya takes a moment to admire her bare body and runs his hand up her side before claiming her mouth again. He covers her breast with his hand and takes her nipple between his fingers. It elicits a surprised gasp from her and he pushes his tongue into her mouth to meet hers as he tweaks her hardened peak. He gives the same treatment to her other breast and feels her shiver underneath him. It makes the blood rush down to his groin and he could feel himself growing harder.

Hitsugaya breaks the kiss and Hinamori offers him a gentle smile. He lowers his lips to her forehead and plants a kiss there, then moves down to kiss her temple and the corner of her mouth before trailing kisses along her neck. Hinamori hums as does so, simply enjoying the moment. When he suddenly takes her nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it, she releases a pleased moan and buries her fingers in his hair. She feels herself getting wet between her legs and suppresses another moan when Hitsugaya flicks his tongue over her nipple.

"'Shirou…"

At his name, Hitsugaya looks at Hinamori once more and brushes his fingers across her face lightly. He settles himself between her legs and she wraps them around his waist. Embracing him, Hinamori winces a little as he enters hers. She hears him moan beside her ear and feels the imminent pleasure when he pushes further in.

"Momo…"

Hitsugaya starts a steady rhythm, picking up speed as he thrusts into her. He feels his climax reaching as her walls tighten around his member. With Hinamori's moans growing louder with every thrust, Hitsugaya soon empties himself inside her with her own waves of pleasure following soon after.

Panting, the both of them lay beside each other and take a while to recover. Hinamori turns on her side to face Hitsugaya and pushes back his fringe, which has stuck to his forehead in their fit of passion, and smiles. She reaches out and embraces him, offering him the solace that he needs.

"Don't leave me alone."

"You did well."

Hinamori looks at him with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. She tries the catch her breath and steady her pounding heartbeat but it was near impossible. How could she stay calm after what she has achieved?

"Congratulations," Hitsugaya continues. "You just attained your Bankai."

He smiles proudly at her as she gazes in amazement at her sword.

"I don't believe this," she breathes out. "It's so surreal…"

After countless of hours of training and meditation and numerous setbacks, she finally achieved her Bankai. Tobi Ume takes the form of a phoenix, which explains why Hinamori's Bankai gave her fiery wings. Hitsugaya thought it was apt, since a phoenix represents rebirth and Hinamori had been through so much, rising from the ashes to become the way she is now. As he watches her familiarize herself with her Bankai, Hitsugaya notices how impressive she looked. When he studies her reiatsu, it seems as if she's being consumed in flames, but they don't hurt her. Hitsugaya knows for certain that she would be a much more powerful vice-captain, especially since she has a keen mind for combining Tobi Ume's attacks with her Kido skills. Of course, she still has a long way to go with training her Bankai, and he looks forward to more sparring sessions with her.

Hinamori's calls out his name to catch his attention. "Toushirou! Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Momo, you've really gotten stronger."

"I'm proud of you."

As their relationship progressed, Hitsugaya stopped being so cryptic with his words. He started to be more honest and didn't shy away from revealing his true feelings to Hinamori. But if you didn't go searching for it, you still probably wouldn't find the little gems hidden behind his words.

-Owari-

I always dream of Hinamori attaining her Bankai.

If you noticed, what Hitsugaya says and what he means grow progressively closer throughout the story. Go back and see if you didn't catch it. As always, thank you for reading.