Hey. So, sorry that it's been a while. Personal stuff and pretty much life were getting to me for a long time. It was only until now did I decide to revisit this story and finally end it. I hope you all enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the series "Bleach". Neither manga nor anime
It had been three weeks since Yuki's invasion of Seireitei. All of the soul reapers were still in the process of fixing everything that had been broken.
Reconstruction was underway for all the buildings that had been demolished, soul reapers that had been caught in the crossfire were recovering quickly from their injuries, and a sense of normalcy was finally starting to come over Seireitei.
Or at least, that was the case for most of the soul reapers. Others, however, were still caught up in picking up the pieces.
Toshiro stood in his usual spot at another captain's meeting, succeeding at disguising his displeasure of Mayuri describing his brother's death in great detail. However, he wasn't able to keep in a slight flinch at what the mad scientist said next.
"In regards to the sudden recovery of Lieutenant Hinamori, nothing quite added up. All that we could tell for sure is that her life is spared yet again thanks to the other Hitsugaya twin." Mayuri explained. "As for the said Hitsugaya twin, there seem to be no traces left of his spiritual pressure. Or rather, no trace of his existence at all."
Everyone in the room all snuck a glance at Toshiro, which he could feel almost immediately after Mayuri said that. He paid no mind to their stares though and kept his composure. Keeping his face stoic and his gaze to the floor.
Head-Captain Yamamoto nodded his head in understanding and thanked the scientist for his report. When the squad twelve captain was back in place, he called out to Unohana. "Squad four captain, please explain the status on Lieutenant Hinamori."
Unohana stepped forward. "Lieutenant Hinamori has made a full recovery both in physical form and spiritual pressure. For the time being, she remains unconscious. However, I predict that she'll be waking up fairly soon."
Again, everyone glanced over at Toshiro but his expression stayed the same.
The head-captain then dismissed the meeting with a bang of his cane and a few encouraging words considering rebuilding the Seireitei. And no one was surprised when the squad ten captain was the first one out of the room.
Rangiku was going through her paperwork for the day when she was surprised but the office door slamming open. Though, that shock quickly turned to frustration when she saw it was Toshiro.
"Captain, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on work-leave?" She knew it was useless to talk to him now. For the past few days, he's come in early in the morning to start work and didn't leave until late hours of the night.
It had concerned Rangiku to the point where she even requested that the head-captain give him a week off. Which was approved, yet Toshiro just kept on coming back.
"I'm fine, Rangiku. If anything, shouldn't you be resting?" He asked as he took a seat at his desk. "Aren't you still recovering?"
"Okay, first of all, I fully recovered from my injuries a week ago." She explained, marching up to him. "And second of all, I know what you're doing."
He rolled his eyes at her. "Really? Do tell."
"I know that you're trying to avoid thinking about what happened but drowning yourself in paperwork." Her tone changed to that of concern. "Captain, I know it's hard, but you're going to have to deal with it eventually. Especially since Momo is going to wake up soon."
It then did Toshiro finally look up at her. "How did you know that?"
"Gin told me."
He scoffed. "Of course he did. Damn fox-face."
"Captain," Rangiku leaned a bit forward to be able to look him in the eyes. "Why haven't you gone to see her? Or better yet, why have you avoided talking about her and your brother? You can't keep pretending that all this never happened."
"You think that's what I'm doing?" Toshiro shouted, standing from his. Making his lieutenant step back a bit. "You think I wasn't trying to think about how I've lost my brother a second time? Or how I ended up hurting Momo yet again? It's all I can think about! I haven't talked about it because what else is there left to say? Momo will hate me the moment she realizes that Yuki is gone!"
"You don't know that-"
"LIKE HELL I DON'T!" At that outburst, some of Toshiro's spiritual pressure was accidentally released. Causing ice to form around is feet and on the desk. "You didn't hear but I did. When Momo woke up, it was his name she called out. She was looking for Yuki the moment she opened her eyes. Don't you get it? I'm not the one she wants! And because of me, she'll never see him again."
Rangiku could tell from his clenching fists and teary eyes that he was barely keeping it together. She could finally see that he's been suffocating for weeks and he's been struggling to keep himself afloat. She knew for a fact that there was no way in hell that Momo would end up hating him, and that it wasn't his fault that Yuki was gone. But she also knew that her captain was stubborn and that he would carry the weight of those he loved. It was admirable, but it was also slowly killing him.
Seeing no other way around this, she had to tell him. The very thing he's been too blind to see.
"Momo loves you." She confessed. It ended up shocking Toshiro enough that his power retreated. "She has loved you for years. It may have taken her some time to see it, but she loves you, captain."
"Y-You're lying. Stop it." Toshiro slumped back down into his seat, suddenly feeling out of breath. "After everything that happened...what I've put her through..."
"She's forgiven you for all that, just like you've forgiven her for her mistakes."
"But, Yuki..."
A voice came from the door. "And what were his last words to you?"
Both Toshiro and Rangiku turned to see Gin leaning against the doorway; his usual creepy smile on his face.
"Ichimaru." Toshiro started with a growl. "What are you doing here?"
"I just came to check up ya. Figured you wouldn't be in the best shape after the meeting." He replied, walking closer to the desk. "But we're getting off track. I recently heard from Senna that your brother left you with a very specific request."
"What request?" Rangiku asked, looking back and forth between the captains.
Toshiro remained silent. Looking away from the both of them. Though, that didn't stop Gin from answering for him.
"He told you to treasure her." He said. "Now why would you think that Yuki would leave with that being his last words to you? It's because he knew that Momo would never care for him the way she cares for you. If I had to guess, he's probably known this for a while. It only took him that long for him to realize it. Tell me, Captain Toshiro, how long will it take you?"
Rangiku looked back at her captain, only to find him struggling to keep himself calm.
"Even if that's true, how could I face her now?" Toshiro asked, a single tear escaping. "Yuki died because of me. She'll never forgive me for that."
"What your brother did was his choice." Gin explained. "He made the sacrifice so he could save Momo and the home she strived to protect. So she could have a chance to be happy, with you."
"Captain," Rangiku said lowly. "Are you going to leave her now? I know it will take a long time to recover from this, but you two need each other now more than ever."
Gin suddenly turned his head towards the door, his smile growing bigger. "I'd decide now if I was you. I have a feeling we're about to get news."
Before Toshiro could ask what he meant, the door open. Revealing a panting Senna.
"Captain Hitsugaya!" She called out, making Toshiro stand from his seat. "My captain has just woke up! She's asking to see you!"
Both Rangiku and Gin looked at the stunned youth.
"Well, Toshiro." The squad three captain asked. "What are you going to do?"
(A bit earlier)
Momo's eyes opened to a place she's never seen before. It looked like it was made entirely out of fog and snow; she could barely see her hand in front of her.
As she looked around, she suddenly heard a very familiar voice. "Hina-chan."
"Yuki?" She called out. "Yuki? Where are you? I can't see you."
The fog and snow around her started shifting. It began circling her as the voice got louder and louder. "Hina-chan. Hina-chan..."
Momo used her arms to shield her eyes from the sturring winds. At this point, she struggling just to keep her balance. "Please, Yuki. Tell me where you are! I just want to see you!"
Before she could figure out what was happening, the winds shifted again. Only this time, instead of circling her, it blew past her. She couldn't see it, but it began materializing in front of her. Shaping itself into that of a human. It was only until it all stopped was she able to lower her arms. She looked around to see that with the snow and fog gone, it looked like she was standing just above the clouds.
Turning to look in front of her, her eyes widened when she saw who was smiling at her. "Yuki..."
Instead of his looking older like his brother, he was back to being a child. Exactly like how they first met.
He smiled at her. "Hello, Hina-chan."
Unable to stop herself, Momo rushed to him. Falling to her knees, she gathered him up into a tight embrace. One that he happily returned.
After of few moments of holding him, she pulled away far enough to look him in the eye while placing a hand on his cheek. "What happened? Why do you look like this?"
Even though he was still smiling, Momo could see a trace of sadness coming to his eyes. "I have to be going soon, Hina-chan."
"G-Going where?"
Instead of answering, Yuki looked at his hands. He lifted them just enough so she could see. Momo gasped when she saw that they were slowly fading, along with the rest of him.
"No..." Tears immediately began falling from her eyes when she made the realization. His soul was moving on. "No. This can't be it. Please, no..."
"Hina-chan." He called to her, bring his fading hands to her cheeks. "Please don't be sad. I want you to be happy."
"But how can I? You're disappearing."
"That's right, I am. But I will always be with you, Hina-chan." He leaned his forehead against hers while wiping away her tears. "So please, Hina-chan. Don't be sad. Promise me now, that no matter what, you will always have a smile on your face. That's all I wish for."
Momo placed her hands over his and forced herself to smile for him. "Okay, Yuki. I promise."
"And one more thing, Hina-chan." He said. "Please don't be afraid to open your heart anymore. I know that Toshiro has waited far too long now."
Momo was completely surprised at the mention of his brother. Before she could ask what he meant, he gave her a knowing look. She decided then that it was time to stop pretending.
She nodded. "Of course."
Sighing contently, Yuki closed his eyes as he felt himself letting go. "Thank you Hina-chan. Thank you for everything."
Momo could no longer feel his touch. The lower half of his body has faded completely while the other half was quickly following.
"Yuki." She spoke, panicked.
"Take care of each other, Hina-chan." After he spoke his last words to her, he placed a kiss on her cheek. Feeling like a whisper on her skin.
With that, his soul disappeared completely. Momo nearly collapsed forward when she could no longer feel him. Though, even as the tears continued to fall, the smile on her face never left.
She had made a promise.
Looking up at the sky, she muttered one last thing before a blinding light came over her. "Farewell, my Yuki."
(Present...)
Momo looked out the window of her room. It hadn't been long since she woke up.
She remembers the first face she saw was her lieutenants. Senna had cried and hugged her, telling her how worried she was and how happy she was that she was okay now. Before Momo could return the gesture, her lieutenant rushed out to call Captain Unohana.
Everything after that was a blur. She remembers Unohana checking her over and confirming that she was alright, but they only wanted to keep her in for a couple of more nights just in case. She agreed. After the fourth division members had left them, Momo asked a favor from Senna.
She asked her if she could go get her childhood friend for her. It was time she made good on her promise.
Toshiro walked through the halls of the fourth division, he could feel his heart pounding. It had taken a lot of courage to get here, but he wasn't going to back out now.
He wasn't going to lose Momo again like after Aizen's betrayal and he wasn't going to shut her out again like he did when he was tricked into hurting her. He wanted to be stronger, not just for himself but for the both of them. He wanted them to finally be happy again.
Or, at least that's what he kept telling himself. However, when he was finally at Momo's room, he found himself frozen in place. His hand had paused midair just as he was about to knock and now he didn't know what to do. Was he ready to do this? So soon after everything that's happened?
Just as his nerves were about to get the better of him, he heard her voice from the other side of the door.
"Shiro-chan? Are you out there?"
He heard reshuffling of her sheets before he could hear her footsteps coming to the door.
Panicking, he quickly called out. "Wait, Momo!"
He could see her shadow in front of the door, but it had stopped when he told her to.
"I-I'm scared." He confessed, feeling his whole body shake. He didn't know where it came from, but suddenly his feelings just started flowing out. "Once you open this door, that'll be it. We'll have to face all the pain and suffering, just like before. And I'm so scared...I'm terrified that it'll only make us drift apart like it almost did before."
From the other side of the door, Momo was completely shocked by his words. She had never heard him sound so vulnerable before.
"I know things won't be like they use to. With Yuki gone..." He couldn't finish that sentence. It was too soon for both of them. "I understand if you can't talk to me, or if you don't even want to see me. Just please, don't open this door if you think that things will only change for the worse. I can't lose you, Momo. Not again, so please..."
He was interrupted by the door sliding open. The first thing he saw was Momo's smiling, but tearful face. Before he could even think about asking her what's wrong, she lunged at him. Wrapping her arms around his neck and put all her weight on him so they would both fall to the floor. His captain's instinct kicked and he was able to come to in time to wrap his arms around her to prevent her from falling to the side.
They ended up with Toshiro sitting on the floor with Momo leaning over him.
"What are you-"
Before he could continue, she backed up enough so she could press her lips against his. Stunning him, yet at the same time, making his heart faster than a flash step. Unfortunately, she pulled away before he could even think about returning the kiss.
"I'm not going anywhere, Shiro," Momo said, smiling lovingly at him. A look he's only ever seen in his dreams. "I know things are hard right now, but we can through it together. I won't walk away, not again. I love you, Toshiro."
Toshiro couldn't hold it in anymore. He let himself cry, and he let himself smile at her. And before pulling her in for another kiss, he whispered. "I love you too."
'I will keep my promise, Yuki.' He thought. 'I'm going to treasure her. No matter what.'