Welcome to the third chapter!

From this point on, it will get a little sad. But don't worry, I'll make sure to give it a happy ending!

Also, I want to personally thank those of you who took the time to review. I really do love reading what you all think of my story!

And in regards to the mysterious guest reviewer who said that I made them start to ship HitsuHina, thank you so much for the wonderful compliment. To hear that even someone who didn't originally like the pairing is enjoying this fanfic... Wow, your review made my day. And don't feel bad about giving a longer review! Longer reviews simply allow me to indulge in your thoughts for that much longer, after all.

To everyone else who also took the time to review, I am really happy to have heard your thoughts as well! Hearing you all enjoy this fanfic really makes me want to continue updating it!

Anyway, without further delay, please enjoy chapter three!

Chapter 3: The Shinigami Encounter

Now that you were living with us, that house just felt so much more like a home. Sure, Oba-san and I had been living comfortably with just the two of us, but it was always quiet, calm. But with you around, it was like the house had suddenly taken on a new colour. You, with your bright smile and your warmth, turned our bleak house into a brightly coloured home.

And that was how we lived, for years on end, just the three of us. Yeah, you did have your other friends that you would see from time to time, but you always seemed just that much happier whenever you were at home with us… With me. And no, I'm not being bias.

…. Well, okay, maybe I'm being a little bias, but just a little.

Regardless, it seemed that the three of us had our happy little family. I remember being so sure back then that the three of us would just stay that way forever….

But then you decided to leave us…. To leave me… All alone, once again.

Flashback, and then you left

"Man, I'm tired. Can we please take a break? Please?" one of the neighbourhood kids pleaded as he sat himself down in the middle of the playground. You, me, and the some of the other children had been in the middle of playing a game of kickball when that kid just decided to stop playing. I remember it being a particularly hot day, so we all were pretty happy with the excuse to sit down. Looking back, I'm sure that everyone had wanted to take a break, but no one wanted to be the first to admit that they needed one. Fortunately, that one kid saved us all the trouble of hurting our pride.

"What should we do now?" you had asked as you sat yourself down as well. After all, we still had a few hours to kill before having to go back home.

"Hmm, what should we do…" one of the other kids ponder in response as we all followed your lead and sat down as well. We all sat together in silence as the other kids tried to think of something to do.

How about we just go home? I had thought at the time as I shot you a quick glance.

Sure, the other kids were no longer avoiding me, but it was still pretty obvious that they didn't like having me around. And the feeling was definitely mutual. The only reason why we even put up with each other was because of you. They, just like me, had grown to like you and enjoy your company. But, because you had made sure that we were a package deal, they had to put up with me being around too.

"Oh, I know!" one boy exclaimed as he had broken us all from our thoughts. "Hey, have you guys ever heard about the things called Hollows?"

"Hollows? What's a Hollow?" you had innocently asked as you tilted your head to the side in confusion.

"I heard from my Aniki that Hollows are monsters that roam the world of the living" that boy had continued as everyone was now directing their attention towards him. "He said that they're huge beasts with big black bodies and white masks over their faces. And that every night, when good souls like us are sleeping, these Hollows come out. And when they find us…" he paused for a moment for dramatic effect "They kill and eat us!" he yelled as his hand made out the motions of slashing claws.

"AHH!" a few of the kids had exclaimed in fright. However, neither of us had been one of the few. We had both sat in silence as we continued to look at the boy who was telling the story. Eventually, you spoke again.

"B-But, Hollows are only in the world of the living, right? So they can't get us here?" you had shyly asked the boy. I remember noticing a hint of fear in your voice as you spoke. Now, it wasn't as much fear as what the other kids were feeling, but it was there nonetheless.

"Oh, well, I guess I forgot to mention," that kid began a smug smile dominated his face. "Hollows can also come here, too."

I had frowned in response. "But you just said that they're monsters in the world of the living. Not monster in the Soul Society" I replied. At this, I remember seeing that boy panic as a result of not wanting to lose the power he had gained by scaring everyone with his tale.

"W-Well they come here, too!" he had shouted back as he tried to defend himself. "I just forgot to add that part, is all!"

"Sure, you did…" I had muttered just loud enough for everyone to hear. This had caused that boy's face to burn red as he glared at me. Ignoring him, I turned to face you. "Anyway, let's go home, Hinamori. It's getting pretty boring here."

You had simply nodded in response. Satisfied that you were coming too, I began to walk back home with you following behind me.

I remember not thinking much of the boy's tale at the time. To me, it just seemed pretty obvious that he was only trying to scare us. So, I had just brushed him and his story off as we walked back home.

It was probably because of how unaffected I was by the story that I failed to notice just how much it had affected you. That is, until later on that evening…

I remember being woken up in the middle of the night by the sound of you and Oba-san whispering to each other as something was being dragged across the floor. Being too lazy and tired to see what you two were doing, I simply rolled over as I tried to fall back asleep.

"I-I'm so sorry!" I heard you say with a strong sense of embarrassment in your voice. "I'm so, so sorry!"

"Shh, you'll wake up Toshiro, my dear." my grandmother had replied as she tried to calm you down. "And it's alright. You were just scared, is all. And it's normal for kids to wet the bed when they're scared. So there's nothing to be ashamed of."

Now that had woken me up. Slowly, I sat myself up and turned to look at both of you. There, in the middle of the room, was you and Oba-san standing opposite of each other. Looking down, I noticed Oba-san carrying your futon in her arms. While it was hard to tell with the lack of sight, I remember still being able to make out a faint dark puddle on it.

"Y-You wet the bed?" I had suddenly asked, causing the two of you to notice that I was awake for the first time. "You actually wet the bed?"

Oh, the look on your face when you realized I was awake… That's one look I'll never forget.

"S-S-Shiro-chan?" you stuttered as you looked back at me with a mortified expression on your face. "Y-You're awake?"

"Of course, I'm awake." I replied. "You're bed-wetting woke me up."

You had said nothing in response as your face became a scarlet colour. It was obvious, even back then, that you really hadn't wanted me to know about your bed-wetting. Looking back, I don't blame you, considering how I acted in response.

Being the little brat that I was, there was only really one logical thing for me to do at the time: laugh. And boy, did I laugh hard.

"You actually wet the bed!" I exclaimed in a fit of laughter. "I can't believe you actually wet the bed!"

Since you were too mortified to speak, Oba-san replied in your place. "Now, Toshiro, that's not nice. Momo was just scared. And when kids get scared, they sometimes wet the bed. So don't go making fun of her."

"Oh, don't you go defending that bed-wetter!" I answered as I continued to laugh. Then, reflecting on what I had just said, I paused for a second. "Hmm, bed-wetter Momo… Now that does have a nice ring to it."

As though you had realized what had just crossed my mind, you finally spoke. "No! Don't you dare, Shiro-"

"Now, now, that's not very nice, Bed-wetter" I interrupted with a smug look on my face. "You have a nickname for me, so it's only fair that I have one for you."

"No! Please, Shiro-chan! Anything but that!" you had desperately pleaded in response.

I just smirked back at you. "Have a good night, Bed-wetter Momo" I replied before turning around and falling back asleep.

And that night marked the birth of Bed-wetter Momo.

Looking back, that really was a mean nickname to give you. As much as I didn't like being called Shiro-chan, a part of me still knew it was a way that you expressed your affection towards me. But, being the little brat that I was, I was too caught in how embarrassing the nickname was to realize that it really wasn't that bad in the first place. Not that I'd ever tell you that when you're awake, mind you.

Anyway, it didn't take long for that night to end and for the next day to arrive. And that day marked the beginning of the end of our happy little family.

"Hey, Shiro-chan, wait up! You're going too far!" I heard you plea from behind me. Being the little adventurer that I was, I had decided to go exploring the forest surrounding our house. And you, not wanting to be left alone, desperately followed after me.

"Hurry up, will you?" I called back as I continued my way through the forest and up the hill. "There's a clearing just ahead that I want to check out."

"But Shiro-chan…" I heard you whine as you were trying to catch your breath.

"It's just a little further, Bed-wetter. You can make it" I replied. I remember hearing you mutter something unintelligible to yourself in response. And, due to the annoyed tone of your voice, I had a feeling it something along the lines of being displeased with your newly acquired nickname. That thought caused me to smirk as I reached the clearing.

"Wow, is that a cave?" I heard you exclaim over my shoulder as you finally caught up to me. "That's so cool!"

I had said nothing in response as I surveyed the area. It was merely a small open field in front of a cave that lead into the mountain. This is it? I walked all the way up here for this? I had thought as I looked around in disappointment.

While I was disappointed with what we had found, you were ecstatic. Walking on ahead of me, you looked at your surroundings in awe as you advanced towards the cave. "Hey, Shiro-chan, isn't this place great?" I heard you ask as I was still looking around our new environment.

"Well, I guess it's-" I began but then stopped as all the blood drained from my face. Now that I was looking directly at you, I was able to see the Hollow that lurked inside the cave. While we had only just yesterday been described what a Hollow looked like, I knew right away that the monster behind you had to be one. That large black body and white mask was undeniable.

"Hmm? What's with the face, Shiro-chan?" you asked me as your bright smile began to turn into a frown. After seeming to realize that I was staring at something behind you, you slowly turned around.

Seeing the hollow creep up towards you, you had stood frozen in place from fear. I watched in horror as the beast came closer and closer to you. Once the hollow had finally reached you, it let out an ear shattering scream as it pulled back one of its arms in preparation to attack you.

"MOMO!" I yelled as I finally broke free of my trance and ran towards you. Even as I rushed forwards, I already knew that I wouldn't make it in time.

But then, just before the claws reached you, a figure in a black robe blocked the attack with a sword and sent the hollow flying backwards. Screaming in frustration, the Hollow charged towards the black robed figure, only to be cut in two as their sword made contact with the beast once again.

At the time, I couldn't have cared less about the battle between the Shinigami and the Hollow. Of course, I was thankful that the Shinigami had protected you, but once you were out of immediate danger, my thoughts were solely focused on getting to you and making sure you were alright. Because of this, I didn't even register the battle that went on. All I remember is that the hollow attacked and the Shinigami won. And that, after scolding us for wandering into a hollow infested area, the shinigami continued on their way.

You, on the other hand, had been mesmerized as you watched in awe the Shinigami defeat the hollow. As I was running towards you, I remember faintly registering the fire in your eyes as you watched the battle progress. And I know that it was that fire that lead you to your declaration the following evening.

"Shiro-chan, I'm going to become a Shinigami" you stated as we watched the sunset overtake the town below. You then turned to look at me with a determined look in your eyes. "I swear it, I will become a Shinigami."

I don't remember what we said to each other after that. In fact, I don't even know if I said anything at all in response. All I remember is the sense of dread building inside of me.

It was not long after that day that you took and passed the Shinigami entrance exam.

And then, with your acceptance letter in hand, you left...