Chapter 25. Feelings Released

I do not own Bleach!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hinamori closed her eyes and let the sweet, juicy taste of the watermelon take her back to the years she missed so dearly.

The cold liquid trickled down her throat and she chewed the red fruit with a smile on her face. Hitsugaya had dived into his fruit as well, taking large portions of it in his mouth at a time, while she took smaller, daintier bites.

The white-haired boy finished first, placing the green crust-like part of the produce on a small wooden table at her bedside. When Hinamori finished as well, she placed hers next to his on the table. The sun blazing outside told them that it was past noon, and Hinamori stole a glance out the window, the sparrow was gone.

"Doushita?" He asked when he noticed her silence. She turned back to him and smiled.

"Oh nothing." Then she dared to pose the question that she had wanted to ask him. "Hitsugaya-kun?"

He glanced over at her to show her that he had heard, and she went on.

"How did you gain all of that power without Hyorinmaru? It looked like your BanKai, but when we were first ambushed, you didn't have your Zanpakutou. How did you get those wings and tail without him?"

The question had been nagging at her ever since they had returned andshe had regained consciousness. The playfulness of the boy he had once been in the past melted back into the seriousness of the boy prodigy, and Hinamori regretted ever asking. He lowered his eyes, as if he did not want to have to be a genius anymore, as if he just wanted things to return to the way they used to be, like she did. But he answered nonetheless.

"I think it's because I'm starting to become closer and closer to Hyorinmaru, its like I can use ShiKai and BanKai without him. We're sharing our powers and abilities with each other, so now I think I can use his powers any time I need." Hinamori thought that she heard the slightest hint of sadness in his voice. Then, an idea sparked her.

"I wish I was that close with Tobiume. Well, actually to tell you the truth, I wish I never grew up, I wish we were still little, still living together, still closer then a brother and sister…"

Longing and remorse filled her eyes and she lowered her eyes. But as she lowered her eyes, he lifted his, locking their gazes in mid-air.

"Me too."

He smiled in agreement, thanks and understanding glowing in his aqua eyes. Emotion overwhelmed her as she saw the longing in his eyes and tears moved forward to the edges of her eyelashes. His eyes widened as he saw he start to cry and the feeling that he could do nothing for her came over him and guilt began to flicker inside of him. But then she lifted her head up to look at him, yearning and loneliness overflowed her teary, chestnut eyes.

"Oh, Hitsugaya-kun, I want to go back to the way things were, how they used to be. I want to be with you and I want you to be with me; always, just like it used to be. I want to be close to you and see your smile when I'm sad. I want you to be there when I'm alone. I know, I'm being selfish but…there's just nothing else I want more than that…" She cried softly.

He smiled affectionately at her and nudged himself closer to her. He tenderly placed his left hand on her right, and she winced ever so slightly. Warm tears seeped into the clean white sheets and some landed on his skin.

"Hey, come on, it's not that bad. We still have each other, and you know I'll always be there for you." He tried his best to comfort her, but none of his methods appeared to take affect on her.

"But, things will never be quite the same as they used to be." She sniffed. Hitsugaya sighed and small grin found its way across his lips.

"Well if there's no other way…"

He did not finish his sentence, for he leaned forward and gently, kissed her on the lips. He felt her breath cut off sharply and her tears ceased immediately, but slowly, she melted into the kiss. He pulled away but she avoided his eyes, tears streaming down her face. He sighed again.

"You know I love you." He whispered. She nodded slowly, still not making eye contact. "I'll always be here." He said, his grip on her hand tightening. Then, her adoring, chestnut eyes fasten with his aqua ones.

"I love you too, Hitsugaya-kun, I do! It's just…we can never turn back time, and…I really want to." He moved closer to her, offering all of the comfort he could.

"Believe me, you're not the only one. But, even though we can't go back in time, and re-live the past, we can cherish the present, and start a new future, our own future, just for us."

Finally, it was as if he had said something right, for she smiled happily at him. Another tear fell, and he hoped it was one of the last; he never wanted to see her hurt again. He stayed next to her, his hand resting on hers, until the sun sank behind the trees, and the sky went from intense blue to pale gold. As the silence crept around them, Hinamori stared to become uncomfortable and she had to break the quietness that engulfed them.

"You know, you didn't have to do all that." She whispered un-expectantly.

A faint blush of embarrassment slithered across his face.

"D-Do what?" He stammered.

"You didn't have to come after me." She clarified. He laughed softly.

"Are you kidding? I couldn't leave you to die."

"Yes, you could have." She countered sharply.

He was taken aback by the ferocity of her words.

"I wasn't just going to stand idly by and let them kill you!"

He raised his voice and his grip on her hand unconsciously tightened. She flinched, so slightly that he wouldn't have noticed, but anger still flashed in her eyes. Hitsugaya saw this anger, and fury began to bubble in his veins.

Why is she angry? I saved her life! Was that the right thing to do, or should I just have let her die?

His thoughts were harsh and ruthless as began to doubt weather he should have saved her at all.

She was so ungrateful…

"Hitsugaya-kun, why did you come after me? You could have been killed! You almost died, for me! Why don't you understand I'm not worth it!"

Silence crept around them again, but Hinamori continued after a moment.

"Why can't you understand that I don't want blood shed for me? If you had died trying to save me I would never forgive myself for being so weak, and I would never forgive you for trying to save me! I don't want you to die for me! I don't want you to have to make up for my weaknesses! They're my flaws and you shouldn't have to suffer for them."

The merciless tears poured down her face once again, and Hitsugaya's cruel thoughts evaporated like a dewdrop in a desert. He loosened his unsympathetic grasp on her right hand and stared at her in astonishment. Hurt and confusion resided in her chestnut gaze as she glared at him. He could not hold back any longer, and without a moments' hesitation, he had pulled her into a soft embrace.

"Don't ever say those things." He told her.

She drew in her breath and feebly shook her head.

"You didn't have to…"

"Baka." He said softly, and he pulled her closer.

"I'd do anything for you."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: Yes I know I made them fight but that just brought them closer together! I hope you all liked it!

This is NOT the last chapter! There is an epilogue! Wait for it! Songfic next chapter!

Please please PLEASE review!