Chapter 7: Accidents

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews, I really appreciated them. Thanks for telling me about the Greek messenger thing, Orider, I'll try not to make that mistake again (I won't actually repost). Hermes…Greek…Mercury…Roman…anyhow, just to tell you, if you think this fanfic will be centred on piano playing, it isn't really. In a way, it's like Hikaru no Go. It's not all about Go, more about Hikaru's progression in life, etc (another reason why I changed the title). That's all I have to say. Enjoy this chapter!

After the argument, Hinamori and Hitsugaya avoided each other, only speaking when absolutely necessary. They weren't, however, the only ones affected.

"Hinamori-chan, you seem depressed today," Tatsuki observed as they gathered for lunch. "How come?"

Hinamori sighed, picking at her sushi. There was no point in hiding it anymore. "Hitsugaya and I had an argument."

"Oh come on Hinamori, that's petty! If you could make up with him, maybe he would forgive you!" Inoue advised, and her friend snorted bitterly.

"As if there's anything I should apologise for," Hinamori said. "He's the one at fault! Why should I apologise for what he's done?"

"If that's how you feel, then we leave it at that," Rukia said uncomfortably. The rest of lunch passed by in silence, and Hinamori was left feeling no better than before.

With Hitsugaya

Despite his inner protests, Hitsugaya attended the 'boy get together' at lunchtime. You just need to be up to date with what other guys think, Hitsugaya told himself.

"I'm the best at playing piano around here, aren't I?" one boy said, looking around proudly. "I'm going to impress Hinamori with my skills. She learns piano too, doesn't she?"

"You baka! Don't you remember? Hitsugaya's the best piano player here, and he's already got Hinamori!" Ichigo smirked. "You know about that incident, right, Ishida?"

The blue-haired boy pushed his glasses up to his nose and nodded. Hitsugaya exploded; he'd heard enough.

"There is nothing between Hinamori and I," the boy spluttered.

"Whatever you say," Keigo grinned. "In any case, you seem to be more distant with everyone. Is it because you broke up with Hinamori?"

"Good for me," the boy who had first spoken grinned. "That means that there's nothing standing between Hinamori and me now!"

"In your dreams," Hitsugaya muttered angrily before storming off.

"See Daisuke? I told you he still liked Hinamori," Ichigo smirked. The subject then turned to sports, and soon everyone had forgotten Hitsugaya.

Two weeks later

"Happy birthday, Hinamori! I hope you'll enjoy my present!" Inoue squealed, hugging Hinamori. "We're going to have so much fun today!"

"Yeah, thanks," Hinamori smiled but couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. Why? An image of a boy with wild, white hair and blue-green eyes appeared in her mind, and Hinamori shook her head. She couldn't think of him today.

With Hitsugaya

He had invited all of his students to watch the contest. Except for one. Hinamori Momo.

The pianist scratched his head, annoyed. Every time he thought about something, his piano student would pop into his head. He couldn't afford to think of her now, not with the contest at hand. Straightening his tie, Hitsugaya walked across the road, not noticing the car coming at full speed towards him until it was too late. Before he was hit, however, Hitsugaya spotted the triumphant face of the driver and did not like what he saw. The license plate caught his eye before he was plunged into darkness.

At Hinamori's birthday party

"Hey, birthday girl, let's play a game!" Kira yelled. "How about some cheesy one like truth or dare or spin the bottle?"

"Sounds good, Kira-kun," gathering everyone around, the girl fetched a bottle. When she came back, she realised someone was missing.

"Where's Renji-kun?" Hinamori asked as everyone sat in a circle.

"Stuffing his face at the buffet table," Isane laughed. "Renji really likes eating, remember?"

"Oh yeah…" putting the bottle in the middle, Hinamori spun it, suddenly wishing that Hitsugaya were here.

"Oh, the bottle landed on you, Daisuke!" Ikkaku grinned. "Man, it's your lucky day!"

"Isn't it?" getting up eagerly, Daisuke suddenly announced, "Before that, I will impress you all with my wonderful piano playing and show you that I'm better than Hitsugaya!" Opening the piano, the boy sat down and began to play 'Sonatina in C Major' by Mozart. Having heard Hitsugaya play this famous piece as well, Hinamori sat quietly and listened.

Daisuke was well acquainted with his piece, but Hinamori felt that he played too heavily. There was no loud or quiet, and without the pedal the piece sounded plain. On the other hand, Hitsugaya played a much sweeter, richer sound. His hands moved gracefully on the keyboard, long fingers stroking the keys, coaxing the notes out.

Hinamori suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Since their argument, she had not bothered to practice the piano. It had reminded her too much of her piano teacher. Although her fingers longed to touch a keyboard again, Hinamori had refrained from fulfilling her wish.

At that moment the last chord sounded and everyone clapped. Hinamori joined in the applause, her hands clapping mechanically.

"See, I'm better than that Hitsugaya, aren't I?" Daisuke boasted. "I'm more worthy of you than him, Hinamori Momo!"

"No, you're not," Hinamori hissed angrily. "And you never will be!" Murmurs went round the room as the boy tried to regain his composure.

"Fine," he said at last. "But I still get your first kiss-on the lips!" Daisuke leaned forward and Hinamori instinctively took a step back, wishing that she could suddenly disappear. The boys were cheering in the background, but the girls booed; they obviously thought of her and Hitsugaya as a couple.

Before the two could make contact, however, Mrs. Hinamori rushed into the living room. Oblivious to what she had just interrupted, Mrs. Hinamori turned the TV on.

"Honey, you've got to listen to this!" she wailed.

Relieved that she wouldn't have to kiss Daisuke, Hinamori sat on the couch, and everyone followed suite. The girl couldn't help being pleased at Daisuke's scowl. Mrs. Hinamori seemed to have turned on the news.

"Today at 2:30pm the famous fifteen year old pianist Hitsugaya Toushirou was hit by a dark blue SUV that drove past a red light. There are no witnesses who saw the driver's face or the license plate. Hitsugaya Toushirou has been taken to the Red Cross Hospital and is currently staying there, unconscious. That's the news round for 5:30pm, have a good evening," said the reporter.

Hinamori could not believe her eyes. Hitsugaya had been hit? And on her birthday, too! Tears threatened to spill. "Guys, I'm going out!" the girl called. "You can do whatever you want while I'm gone. Gomen nasai." And with that, Hinamori disappeared.

The Red Cross Hospital was too far away for her to run. She could catch a taxi, but she didn't have any money on her. How about Shunpo? The girl tried running a few steps but nothing happened. Defeated, Hinamori sank to her knees. She had never felt this helpless before.

Hitsugaya suddenly appeared on the streets, hair blowing in the wind, eyes fixed on her. A golden shimmer outlined his body.

"In order to use Shunpo, you have to feel the absolute need to run," Hitsugaya said. This said, the boy began to disappear. Hinamori stood again, determined. If she didn't see Hitsugaya now, he would probably die first. She didn't want that! At once Hinamori felt lighter. She felt the desirable urge to run, to feel the wind whipping through her hair. Soon Hinamori was skimming her way to the Red Cross Hospital.

Five minutes later found Hinamori in front of the Red Cross Hospital. Wasting no time on dawdling outside, the girl rushed into the hospital and stopped at the reception.

"Excuse me, can I see a Hitsugaya Toushirou?" Hinamori panted.

"I'm sorry, but only close relatives are allowed to see him," the nurse said calmly.

"I'm his sister," Hinamori blurted out desperately. "I need to see him, please!"

"Hitsugaya Toushirou is on the third floor in the ward to the very right, but-" Hinamori was already gone, making her escape in the lift.

Hinamori crept into Hitsugaya's room. It was dark save for a small desk light. Tiptoeing to the boy's bedside, Hinamori watched him in silence. Hitsugaya was nothing like the person he was in his waking hours. His eyebrows were relaxed, his mouth slightly open. Hitsugaya looked peaceful and…vulnerable.

Vulnerable enough to get hit by a car, Hinamori thought sadly. A piece of paper pinned to the bed suddenly caught her eye, and looking, she started. "In Coma".

"No, Shirou-chan!" Hinamori cried. She fell to her knees, sobbing. "Wake up, wake up!" Hinamori yelled, beating her fists against his chest. She continued to cry even after the nurses had come in and dragged her away from Hitsugaya's sleeping body.

A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review!

Japanese Dictionary:

-chan, -san, -kun: -chan is addressed for girls or kids who are around the same age as the speaker. –kun, is the same, but for boys (or kids). –san is a polite form for both genders of all ages.

Baka: Idiot

Gomen nasai: Sorry

Shunpo: In this story, Shunpo is described as a flash attack, but in the anime/manga it means 'Flash steps'.

Shirou-chan: Hinamori's nickname for Hitsugaya. Although 'shirou' means 'white', 'Whitey-chan' would be more accurate in this case.