Chapter 8: Affections
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! There's not really much to say but…have a good read!
Although time had stopped for Hitsugaya, life went on for Hinamori. Every weekday she visited the pianist, honing her Shunpo skills in the process. Apart from that, school seemed strangely dull without Toushirou. Hinamori lived sluggishly through the days, only looking forward to when she would see Hitsugaya Toushirou lying peacefully on the bed, sleeping as if he hadn't a care in the world.
Everyone was affected by Hinamori's melancholy behaviour, even the teachers. One day however, the girl's life took a turn for the better.
"Hinamori-kun, if you could spare five minutes, please see me after the lesson," Aizen-sensei said as the class packed up. "I need to talk to you."
For what? Hinamori thought. Is my history that bad?
"Hinamori-chan, we'll wait for you outside the classroom!" Inoue waved before dragging Rukia along with her.
"Ano, Aizen-sensei," Hinamori stammered. "What do you want to talk to me for?"
"Nothing bad, Hinamori-kun," the teacher smiled. "I've just noticed that your history is getting better. Have you been taking extra lessons?"
"Yes, with Hitsugaya-kun," Hinamori's face lit, then saddened as she remembered her piano teacher.
Aizen-sensei put a hand on his student's shoulder. "I'm sorry that Hitsugaya-kun was hit. He was a good student."
"He is a good student," Hinamori corrected her teacher fiercely. "Hitsugaya-kun's not going to die!"
"Of course he isn't, no," Aizen-sensei then turned serious. "Until Hitsugaya-kun comes back, why don't you take extra history lessons with me instead?"
"Okay," Hinamori smiled genuinely for the first time in the last month. "Friday, 2:30-4:30pm, right?"
"You still remember after all this time? I'm honoured," Aizen-sensei took a mock bow, laughing. Hinamori joined in, feeling more and more at ease with her teacher.
"Well then, I'll see you in two days time," Aizen-sensei said at last. "You're dismissed."
"H-hai," Hinamori said, then waved goodbye to her teacher. For the rest of the day the girl talked of nothing but Aizen-sensei. It seemed as if a great burden had been lifted off her shoulders.
After school
"Ja ne!" as Hinamori waved goodbye to the last of her friends, she took a few steps down the street leading to her house before turning around, frowning. She had almost forgotten about Shirou-chan! What had made her forget? Never mind. Effortlessly using Shunpo to get to the Red Cross Hospital, Hinamori entered and was greeted by the reception.
"Hitsugaya Toushirou, I presume?" a nurse asked, smiling.
"The usual, Kobayashi-san," Hinamori returned the smile. "Don't worry, I know where to go."
"You better," the nurse laughed as the lift doors opened, admitting the sixteen year old.
A few seconds later Hinamori stepped out of the lift and spotted a tall figure hovering above Hitsugaya's bed. Wondering who it could be, Hinamori ran into the room to see an orange-haired woman with a huge bosom. The two stared at each other for a moment before the orange-haired woman spoke.
"Are you a fan girl?"
"As if!" Hinamori snorted. "I'm Hitsugaya-kun's neighbour and piano student!"
"Hontou ni? I'm his piano student as well! I'm Matsumoto Rangiku; pleased to meet you," Matsumoto held out a hand and Hinamori shook it.
"I'm Hinamori Momo, pleased to meet you too." At that moment Hinamori saw a huge bucket with cleaning supplies slung over Matsumoto's shoulder. "If you don't mind my asking, what's that bucket for?"
"This?" the orange-haired woman glanced at the bucket. "I'm going to Hitsugaya-sensei's house to clean his place up. I've already procrastinated for a week," Matsumoto grinned. "And since I stole his keys for fun on that day…" she gulped hard. "I'm the only one who can get into his house now."
"I've got an idea," Hinamori said. "Why don't you give the keys to me? I can clean the house from now on."
Matsumoto glanced at Hinamori suspiciously. "I've just met you. How do I know you're not a thief of some sort?" she accused.
Hinamori thought for a moment. "Alright, can I come along with you, then?" she asked sweetly.
Matsumoto relented. "Alright," she answered gruffly. "But if you get into any funny business, I'll kill you." The woman smiled. "Let's leaved Hitsugaya-sensei in peace, then."
"Hai," Hinamori said, following Matsumoto out the door.
"Can you use Shunpo?" Matsumoto queried.
"Yes," the girl replied.
"I'll race you to Hitsugaya-sensei's house, then," with that said, Matsumoto disappeared, and Hinamori followed. The two raced down the stairs and out into the streets. Eventually Hinamori pulled ahead of Matsumoto and flew the rest of the way to Hitsugaya's house. A few minutes later Matsumoto joined Hinamori at the door, bent over, hands on her knees.
"How'd you get here so easily?" the orange-haired woman panted.
"Shunpo, but I run from the hospital to my house everyday, so I'm used to it. My house is just across the street." Hinamori said and pointed.
"Well, in that case…" Hinamori caught the keys and bucket in surprise. "Can you help me do my chores today? I'm really busy."
"Then you ran here for nothing, Matsumoto-san!" the girl protested.
"I needed some exercise," the older woman shrugged. "So can I trust you with this laborious task?" she grinned.
"You can count on me. In fact, can I take over for you?" Hinamori asked.
"Sure, you can keep that bucket. Ja ne and thanks!" Matsumoto waved before disappearing.
The girl opened the door and took a step back in surprise. This was not Hitsugaya's house. Or was it? Cobwebs were in every corner visible to the naked eye and all the curtains were drawn, making the place dark. Taking a deep breath, Hinamori entered and began her work.
Two hours later Hinamori finished. Wiping the sweat off her brow, the girl gazed with satisfaction at the spick and span house. But she didn't want to leave yet. Curious, Hinamori explored the house, passing through the kitchen, living room and toilets into the bedroom…where she found something interesting on the night-table.
I didn't see this before, Hinamori thought, holding the dust-covered present up. I wonder who this is for?
Then her eyes fell on the card beside the present: To Hinamori Momo, it read.
Eyes filling with tears, Hinamori ripped the present open. Inside was a small dragon plushie with red eyes, small, sharp fangs, a beautiful white mane and a maroon body. Hugging the dragon, Hinamori opened the card, which read:
Happy birthday Momo,
Sorry for all the trouble I gave you,
The dragon is for you,
Please take good care of her.
Hitsugaya Toushirou
"I'll call you Tobiume…that's such a nice name for a dragon like you," the girl choked, then knelt on the ground, sobbing softly. "Hitsugaya-kun…please come back…"
A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review!
Japanese Dictionary:
Shunpo: In this story, Shunpo means 'flash attack', but in the anime/manga, it actually stands for 'flash steps'.
-chan,-san,-kun: -chan is addressed towards girls or kids who are the same age as the speaker, and-kun is the same, but for boys (or kids). In this chapter (and perhaps others), however, you see Aizen call Hinamori 'Hinamori-kun'. Older men can call younger girls 'kun' as well…don't ask me why.–san is a polite form for both genders of all ages.
Sensei: Teacher (e.g. Aizen-sensei, literally 'Teacher Aizen').
Ano: Um
Hai: Yes/Okay
Ja ne: Goodbye
Shirou-chan: Hinamori's nickname for Hitsugaya. Although 'shirou' means 'white', 'Whitey-chan' would be more accurate in this case.
Hontou ni: Really
