Part 9: The New Girl

Thanks to all those who reviewed!

O Gods, I knew I shouldn't have split writing this into two days. Now half the second part is hell fluffy & romantic not to mention dramatic.

Kumote: One-on-one training fight

Daijoubu: Are you okay?

Haha-ue: Respectful way of saying mother.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Bleach, manga or anime.


PART NINE


Two weeks had passed and everything continued to be hectic. Training was harder, the captains expected more and determination was higher. The only constant thing was the blossoming relationship between Hitsugaya and Hinamori, who had grown impossibly more in love with each other during the weeks and were now even more inseparable.

Hitsugaya stood amongst the other captains and their respective vice-captains in the gathering room of Seireitai. Today was the day when the new graduates of Shinigami School were to be allocated to a division.

Master Yamamoto started his welcoming speech.

"Welcome to all the new shinigamis and congratulations. Soon we will allocate you to a division but first let me notify you of the current situations and rules in place. Firstly, war time orders are still in place. This means that every shinigami is allowed to constantly carry their zanpakuto around with them. The release of soul slayers is also allowed in times of danger. Secondly, three tournaments will be held within the next three months. The top three winners will then proceed with the three-day-method to achieve their bankai and subsequently become captain of either third, fifth or ninth squad. For now however, there are two substitute captains." He looked at Ichigo.

"Kurosaki Ichigo is the substitute captain of the fifth division. He has achieved his bankai and usually serves as a substitute shinigami in the living world." He said as he indicated the orange haired shinigami. Next, he looked at Urahara.

"Urahara Kisuke is the substitute captain of the third division. Urahara was a former captain of Gotei-13." Introduced Master Yamamoto to the crowd.

"Even though these two are substitutes, you are still expected to show them the same respect and courtesy befitting of any captain." He paused and scanned the room for any protestors. Seeing as there were none, he continued on.

"The first tournament is held in six weeks. The second in eight weeks, meaning there is only two weeks in between the first and second tournament. The final tournament against a captain will be held in nine weeks: so there is only one week in between the second and final tournament. For those who wish to participate, I will strongly advise you to practice in every spare moment you have in order to succeed. Thirdly, training will run in normal times but it shall be harder and more strenuous." The murmurs grew louder around the room.

"Silence. Now, the allocations will commence. Newcomers, you should all have been given a black pouch when you walked through the doors. Please inform me now by raising your hand if you do not have one."

"Good. Now open it and you will find a wooden tablet inside with a number on it. When you have looked at your number, please assemble in a single file before your assigned captain and vice-captain.

So I have about eight new shinigamis in mine huh. Thought Hitsugaya.

One of the shinigamis lined up towards the back of the line asked the shinigami in front of him, "Is our captain here? I can't see him." Matsumoto, who happened to pass him just as he said that replied, "He's here, he's just a bit challenged in the vertical sense that's all." She gave Hitsugaya a smug grin when he gave her the evils. Taichou's got good ears. She thought, a sweat drop running down her face as she quickly returned to his side.

As she was standing at the front, she noticed a new girl in her division who seemed to be around Hitsugaya's age. Oblivious to Hitsugaya, this girl's eyes were completely fixated on him. Matsumoto shrugged it off, thinking that it was normal to do that when you first see your captain, especially one so young. Hell, she had stared like a stalker when she was first assigned, though hers was more in disbelief and amusement.


.

The assembly finished and the captains lead their new members to their division headquarters. At the tenth division headquarter, Hitsugaya used the first half hour to explain to the newcomers about their training schedule and to answer questions while Matsumoto led the others into training. That way, the newcomers were able to observe the others training and ask more questions.

During her few glances towards her taichou, Matsumoto saw that the girl before, whom she found out was called Ayumi Tadaki, kept raising her hand to ask questions. And from Hitsugaya's facial expressions, they seemed to be quite intelligent. Is this girl just keen to learn or does she have some hidden intentions? She thought, observing the two.

Her question was later answered during kumote when Hitsugaya was walking around adjusting stances and positioning. It all became crystal clear to Rangiku when Ayumi suddenly adopted bad positioning whenever Hitsugaya came near, especially when she had a perfect stance about a second ago. Let it go, girl, Taichou has been long taken by Hinamori chan.


Hitsugaya sighed. These days have been so hectic, and I still have a load of paper work to do. At least I no longer have to do the 5th Division's paper work. He smiled inwardly at Ichigo's reaction when Byakuya had informed him that he had paperwork to do.

/ "Paperwork! You've gotta be kidding right? Reports everyday, on what? To hell with that!" /

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realise when one of the newcomers approached him.

"Em, taichou, may I speak with you for a moment?" He looked at the girl - she had a slight resemblance to Hinamori except that her hair was black and was worn down. Then again, Hitsugaya saw Hinamori everywhere. He could even see her face on a blank wall if he tried hard enough. So what, his judgement may be a little clouded but Ayumi definitely held some resemblance.

"Yeah sure" he replied as he sat down in front of his desk. He glanced quickly at Rangiku who was now pretending to read through some reports on the couch.

"I think my swordsmanship leaves something to be desired, what do you think I can improve on?" Gods, can you be even more cliché? Thought Rangiku as she grinned to herself.

"You needn't worry yourself at this time. It was only your first day. Besides, I thought your positioning was quite good, except it became quite sloppy suddenly at times. But nothing you can't work on."

"Really?" she beamed. She was so busy basking in the comment that she didn't notice Hinamori come in. Hitsugaya lit up when he saw her and walked to greet her. Rangiku observed Ayumi as she watched the couple talk to each other.

Hinamori eventually noticed that she was been stared at.

"Who's that?" she asked Hitsugaya, who turned and remembered the other girl's presence.

"Hinamori, this is Ayumi Tadaki, a newcomer. Ayumi-san, this is Hinamori fukutaichou of the fifth division." He introduced. The two girls greeted each other pleasantly.

"And she's also his girlfriend!" called out Matsumoto. Hitsugaya glared at her while Hinamori turned a slight shade of pink. Ayumi looked stunned.

"Girl…girlfriend huh?" She stuttered. She regained her composure and turned to her captain, "Thank you for your time. There is nothing else I want to ask, may I be excused?" At Hitsugaya's nod she walked out of the room.


.

"Somebody likes taichou." Rangiku sang as she got up to leave the room.

"Who?" Rangiku threw her genuinely baffled captain a 'look' before she stepped out of the room.

Once they were alone, Hitsugaya walked over to Hinamori and embraced her from behind, nuzzling her neck. Hinamori smiled happily then returned the embrace by putting her arms around his.

"You've gotten taller, Hitsugaya kun." Hitsugaya cheered inwardly, so that dairy diet is working huh. Mental note: thank Unohana later. Hinamori felt him smile into her neck.

"You know, I think Rangiku-chan was right. Tadaki-san seems to have a little crush on you."

"Nonsense, she's just eager to learn." Though Hitsugaya's brows furrowed in thought. Hinamori noticed this and turned her head to look at him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing." He said, but he changed his mind after a moment's thought. "It's just that Tadaki seems familiar. I feel like I've met her somewhere before but I can't remember where. Perhaps somewhere back in the old days when we still lived in Rukongai. Does she seem familiar to you?" He asked. Hinamori shook her head.

"Oh well, it doesn't matter." He looked at her, a small smile on his face. "So, how was your day so far?"

"The usual. Everything was so hectic." She said, then slyly added "It could really get better" whilst turning around in his arms to face him fully.

"Really, how?" Hitsugaya replied, joining in the play. His small smile widening as he spoke. Their faces inched closer.

She came in closer and Hitsugaya closed his eyes. Hinamori bent in, gave him a quick kiss on the forehead and pulled away. "That's your job" she giggled.

"Oi, oi." He protested, reaching out to grab her wrist. He pulled her back towards him and kissed her passionately.


.

A few moments later, they decided to go for a walk and inadvertently found themselves walking towards the fifth division headquarters.

"Is Ichigo managing the captain role well?" He asked.

"He gets quite confused at times but besides that he's doing quite well." They continued to walk in silence for a moment when Hinamori slightly paused and asked,

"So, what are you going to do if Tadaki-san likes you?" Hitsugaya was slightly caught off guard but answered nonetheless.

"I doubt she does but if she did then there wouldn't be much she could do about it."

When they entered the headquarters, Ichigo was sitting behind the desk looking like a steamed bun. He was scratching his head agitatedly and Hinamori took a guess that it was more to do with the pile of paper sitting on his desk rather than an itchy head. She let out a stifled giggle which brought attention to Ichigo that he was no longer alone in the room.

"Ah, Hinamori, Hitsugaya." He greeted. He had become quite close acquaintances with the two over the past two weeks. Mainly because Hinamori was his vice-captain and Hitsugaya never really departs from Hinamori's side unless he really has to.

Hinamori smiled at him.

"Let's go have dinner then we'll come back and help you with the papers." She suggested. Ichigo agreed feverishly and was out before the two of them.


.

"It's there, by your right Hitsu-chan." A little girl not much older then four called out to her friend. Her finger was pointing at a butterfly just above him. She laughed as he jumped to catch it but failed and landed flat on his face on the ground. She ran over to him, concerned.

"Daijoubu?" She asked, worry clouding her big, widened eyes. Her short black hair going in all directions from the wind.

"I'm fine" Hitsugaya said stubbornly, refusing her help to get up.

"Come on, we have to go back soon. It's getting dark." She grabbed his hand and ran towards their 'family home'. There was an old lady waiting there.

His 'mother' bent down and picked some loose grass off his hair. She looked sad.

"What's the matter, haha-ue? Did I do something wrong?" A single tear escaped her eyes as she gently shook her head. His small fingers reached up to wipe the tear off her face.

"Toshiro, this house is getting fuller then I can take. I don't want this anymore than you do but you have to go with this kind obaasan. This is an order from the district chief. Don't worry, she will take good care of you." The young Hitsugaya looked at the obaasan then back to his mother.

"But I don't want to go. I want to stay here, with you and Ayumi-chan." He argued, cried and threw tantrums but his mother's resolve was strong. In the end, he had no choice but to comply.

As he walked away from the house he had lived in ever since he came to soul society, he vowed that he will never let anyone or anything near enough to hurt him this much anymore. He looked back to see his mother and Ayumi crying. It had strengthened his resolved a hundred fold.

But when he arrived in his new home, he met Hinamori Momo. His resolve eventually shattered, but only for her. And soon he had learned to forget what he had left behind.

Hitsugaya's eyes flung open.


.

The next day during training, Hitsugaya pulled Ayumi to one side and told her to stay behind for a few minutes after. During the entire training period, Hitsugaya was distracted and a little disorientated. Matsumoto noticed this but only received a shrug when she asked him what was wrong. She was even more confused when he asked her to stay away from his office for a while after training had ended. However, she could only obey him since he was, after all, her superior.

The end of training for the day eventually came.

"What did you want to talk to me about, taichou?" Ayumi asked, looking quizzically at Hitsugaya who was half sitting and half leaning on his desk.

"Which district from Rukongai were you from?" he asked, his face still a mask.

"36, captain." So she is the one. He looked her in the eye and saw a glimmer of hope.

"Why didn't you inform me who you were?" Her eyes widened, her expression was one of shock then it changed to happiness.

"You remembered!" He raised an eyebrow, telling her wordlessly that he still expected an answer.

"I wanted to see if you remembered, Hitsu-chan." She explained, using her version of his nickname teasingly.

"Don't call me that." He said gruffly. She laughed.

"Some things never change, do they? Hitsugaya-taichou." She sighed, saying his rank playfully now.


.

Hinamori slumped against the door of the tenth division office. She hadn't meant to overhear anything and now she wished she never had. It was silly really, so they were old friends – no big deal. So why do I feel so scared? She thought, what is this other feeling that I'm experiencing? Is this what they call … jealousy? She let out a quiet grunt of disbelief. That's ridiculous, I have nothing to be jealous of. But she was certain she had felt it at that moment when Ayumi called him 'Hitsu-chan', and when he had answered in his normal manner. Was it because she did not want anyone else to share that deep bond she had with Hitsugaya? She scoffed, "Hinamori Momo, when had you become so selfish?" She whispered to herself, leaning her head against the door to look at the sky. It was just getting dark. Quietly but quickly she pushed her hands against the door to help her stand up. She glanced at the door one more time then made her way back to her room.


.

"I tried looking for you when I turned twelve (or the equivalent of it) but they said you had already joined the shinigami academy. So I joined as soon as I discovered I had spiritual powers. It came as a shock to me that you became a captain so fast, the Toshiro I knew was quite clumsy in my memory." Hitsugaya gave a slight smile.

"People change." He simply stated.

He was a bit distracted. A moment ago he could swear that Hinamori was just outside the door. Her aura was a bit off, like she was distressed or something. Why didn't she come in? He thought, worry slowly became him. But some matters had to be dealt with first.

"I may have to arrange for you to be placed into another division. See, it's a rule that the captain can not have an old friend under his or her command. It helps prevent favouritism in times of contests and other like events, among other things."

"I'm a favourite hey?" she joked. Hitsugaya faltered for a bit.

"It's just a rule." He said, trying to avoid the look she was giving him.

"It doesn't matter. I'm just glad to finally see you again." She said sweetly.

"Me too." He said genuinely after a moment. A slight smile appearing on his stoic face.


.

Matsumoto knocked on Hinamori's door and entered. She went and sat down next to her friend who was looking a little depressed. She was sitting next to a small coffee table, hugging her knees which served to be a cushion for her head.

"What's wrong, Hinamori-chan?" Hinamori shook her head gently and looked at Matsumoto.

"Nothing." Rangiku raised an eyebrow.

"It's just that I got a little scared of myself. Right after training I went to Hitsugaya-kun's office and was about to go in when I overheard him talking to Tadaki-san. Apparently he remembered that she was his childhood friend, he used to live in the same house with her before he came to my district."

"So that was why he asked me to stay away from the office for a while after training." Rangiku thought out loud.

"He what?"

"It means nothing." She quickly assured her. "Go on."

Hinamori looked at her for a moment then continued on.

"I heard her use a nickname on him, sort of how I call him Shiro-chan, and somehow it just really got to me. I felt annoyed, and angry and so, so scared. I felt jealous and insecure. I hate this feeling." She cried, her voice getting louder and more forceful the more she talked.

"Shhh." She comforted her. After a moment, she said,

"It is human nature to fear losing something precious to you. The use of nicknames and such are things you consider personal and exclusive to your relationship with taichou. Naturally, anyone who approaches him so personally will be considered a threat."

"So I should feel angry and possessive, but what about jealousy? Why should I feel jealous?"

"She was also his childhood friend, was she not? And he knew her before he knew you right? Perhaps somewhere inside you feel threatened by the idea that maybe the bond between her and taichou may one day surpass your bond with him. Which is impossible, may I add."

"It hurts. And I'm so scared. I've been abandoned and betrayed by so many people in my life, but if he leaves me I think I'll break."

Rangiku scoffed at the absurdity of the idea. "Taichou would never betray you, nor will he leave you. Especially not for another woman." She looked her seriously in the eye.

"Talk to him." She advised. "You know what the one thing I regret the most is?" Hinamori looked at her and shook her head.

"Not being able to say everything I wanted to Gin before he…left."

"But what if he wants her instead? She is going to be in his division, what if they grow closer and closer until one day he loves her more instead? I don't think I could handle it if he told me that." She protested.

"Don't dwell on 'if'. We live in a rather dangerous world. You both had nearly died already and you still don't understand, if something happens to him tomorrow, can you live with a lifetime of 'if'." She got up and looked at her. "I have to. And there is not a day that goes by where I don't berate myself for not being able to help Gin. Now all I'm left with is 'what if I had done this'. Trust me, there is no single world crueller then the word 'if'."

"I'm sorry Rangiku-chan." She had no idea until today how deeply hurt Rangiku was by Ichimaru Gin's betrayal. She had thought it was like how she felt with Aizen, but she was wrong. It was on a completely different level.

Rangiku's eyes softened. "Just promise me you'll talk to him about it and work it out." She said. Hinamori nodded.

"I will. I promise. Thank you Rangiku-chan." Rangiku smiled at her then left the room. Hinamori stared at where she had been standing. Then she wiped her tears and got up.


.

"It was nice being able to talk to you again. Congratulations, once again, for getting into the Gotei-13. Unfortunately, I can't talk much longer. I have something I must attend to." He said politely, getting quite desperate. He was genuinely glad to see her once again but it had been a very long time ago, and they had been very, very young. Unlike her as it seemed, he felt like the woman in front of him was like a stranger. It had been too long since they had last seen each other and he had forgotten many things over the years. Also, he was convinced that something was wrong, normally Hinamori would have shown up by now.

"Are you talking about Hinamori-fukutaichou?" She asked, an all-knowing expression on her face. Hitsugaya looked down, feeling a tinge of guilt.

"You love her very much don't you?" she asked, although she already knew the answer. Hitsugaya looked down and nodded, one foot moving to draw invisible pictures on the floor.

"She's very lucky." She commented gently, then she smiled broadly. Hitsugaya looked up at her.

"Well if you missed her so much you should have told me, Hitsugaya-taichou. I don't want to become an ice-sculpture just because I talk too much." She laughed. A small smile formed on his face.

Once she left, Hitsugaya set off to find Hinamori. He didn't get too far. In fact, he didn't have to leave his office. A few seconds after Ayumi left, Hinamori had walked in.

He rushed up to her and examined her. "You've been crying!" He exclaimed. Hinamori looked away. "What happened? Do I need to practice my bankai on someone?" He said in a serious tone. She giggled despite herself and he couldn't resist but pull her into a hug.


.

"So you overheard our conversation then left. Why didn't you come in?" He asked. They were sitting on the roof together, the night had already fallen and the only light that illuminated the couple was the large moon.

"I got … scared." She replied slowly and sheepishly.

"Scared, of what?" He asked, clearly baffled. She looked at him.

"Of loosing you. For a moment I got scared that you might eventually leave me for her." Hitsugaya stared at her in disbelief for a moment. He found it amazing that she could say that with a straight face – she really did believe it didn't she? Even if it was just for a moment. He recollected himself.

"Baka Hinamori" he scolded, "that would never happen."

"That's what Rangiku said." She said with a small smile.

"And for once she's absolutely right." He commented. There was a moment's silence. Then Hitsugaya looked away from her.

"I like you. A lot." He said to the air in front of him but nonetheless intended for her. She smiled, slowly placing her head against the curve of his neck as a jingling warmth filled her. Hitsugaya responded by wrapping his arms around her.

"Promise me you'll never leave me then?" She asked of him, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I promise." He replied. She closed her eyes and leaned in closer to him.


END OF PART NINE


Please read and review.

Thanks so much for those who have, again.

Kaeru Soyokaze: Update soon for Therapy for Shinigami! Onegai!