Secrets

Disclaimer: I do not own the awesome Bleach; unfortunately, Kubo Tite does (darn you). If I did… he he… beware Hina haters!

It was the fifth night now and it was getting harder and harder to sneak to Hitsugaya's room unnoticed. Hinamori had managed to strike an agreement with the serious captain; Hinamori would be give him come of her blood and it would be purified, in exchange for letting him call him "Hitsugaya-kun." Initially, it had been Shirou-chan, but at that notion, the temperature had dropped to freezing point and Hinamori had quickly decided against that decision. Even now though, Hinamori called him "Shirou-chan" just to see his reaction since it was so funny when the normally serious vampire started throwing death glares at her like a child.

Suddenly, Hinamori felt the world spinning underneath her feet. Maybe she shouldn't have given so much of her blood last time. She was falling, falling, falling….

Hitsugaya scowled as he leaned against his bed's headboard. Despite the fact his wounds were entirely healed, he was still held captive here. He knew he couldn't battle against all of Heaven and he couldn't contact Hell either. Why? Because the princess (unfortunately for him) was not so idiotic as to not place a barrier to block any signals, mental or physical, from leaving the room while also confining him to his boring room. Then again, being here had its perks. For one, while Hitsugaya would rather die before admitting this, he had gotten used to Hinamori's presence over the last few days. Turns out she wasn't as annoying or naïve as he had originally thought she was.

Flashback

Hitsugaya licked the blood from his lips, fangs gleaming white in the darkness. Hinamori was leaning against the nearest wall as she tried to stay conscious. He had taken a bit more blood then needed, but who could blame him? It was blood of Heaven and did not fill very well as it was… too pure. Human blood did wonderfully because of how it was tainted. The more, the tastier and filling. Afterall, he was a vampire of Hell.

"Ne, Hitsugaya-kun?" Hitsugaya looked Hinamori, who was looking unexpectedly contemplative, eyes lowered and somber as her breathing steadied. "Why does Hell and Heaven always have to be at war?"

Hitsugaya just looked at Hinamori perplexed by the sudden question, before scowling. "And why ask? If you want to stop the warring, give up. It's impossible. Heaven and Hell have always been at war and will always be. If even great leaders have not succeeded, why would you? Don't be so naïve."

The vampire almost instantly regretted his decision when his sharp eyes caught the faintest glimmer of tears in Hinamori's eyes. He never felt good when a girl was about to cry since he never knew what to do.

To his surprise though, Hinamori just smiled ruefully. "I guess your right. How can I do something when countless others before me have failed? Even her…"

Hinamori's voice had trailed off at the end, but Hitsugaya still heard it. Even though it piqued his interest a little, he chose to ignore it and reply instead, " If you knew that from the beginning, why did you even bother to ask?"

The young princess was silent a minute before murmuring, "Why does this still go on?"

Hitsugaya heard this, but not say anything. Emboldened, Hinamori continued. "Why does all this carnage still go on? Neither of us is winning nor has been winning ever since it started. Why do we absolutely need to fight each other? Nothing is ever resolved in these fights; all they do is brew up more hate and conflict between us. It's just so wrong and I'm sick of it but…. I know I can't do anything. Because I'm just another princess.

Then, Hinamori smiled bitterly up at Hitsugaya's shocked face at her little outburst. "I know, I'm stupid right? I hate this war, yet the reason you're here in the first place is because of me. I'm such a hypocrite."

Hitsugaya could say nothing, not even when Hinamori got up to leave. Her outbreak of emotions had not only shocked him a little, but had left him with a question.

"Why?"

End Flashback

Hitsugaya groaned as he thought about that night. Dammit, why did that princess have to implement such stupid thoughts in his head? Up until now, he had just listened orders, obeying them since it was his duty. But now, he was questioning those orders. All because of that princess. She was seriously screwing his mind up; if he thought anymore, Hitsugaya had a feeling his brain was going to explode. And who could blame him?

Hitsugaya just sighed and decided to take a nap. It was morning still, even though all the curtains were drawn. It was too darn bright in Heaven. Oh well, not like he had a choice. It was his carelessness that had gotten him captured in the first place.

Hinamori felt herself slowly stirring. She was lying in her bed- Wait, what was she in her bed for? Confused, the disoriented princess tried to get up, but a spasm of dizziness hit her, sending her back to the softness of her bed.

"Hinamori-chan, you should rest and lie down for a while, 'kay? You have a slight deficiency of blood and while it's not much, if you don't take care of yourself properly, you'll get ill."

Hinamori looked to the side and saw her sister's smiling face.

"Ne-san!"

Sakura smiled gently like a mother at her younger sister's face. "You're finally awake, ne? I was starting to wonder if we had a Sleeping Beauty here."

Hinamori blushed slightly. "A-ano, how long was I out exactly?"

"Only about two hours. It wasn't too long."

"Oh, I see." The room was quiet a bit as Hinamori thought back to the cause. She better be more careful next time how much blood she gave Hitsugaya; what would happen if she collapsed in council? Speaking of council…. Hinamori's eyes widened as she realized something.

"Sakura-ne-san! I missed today's council of war! D-doushiyo? The Elders are going to be so mad at me! What do I do? I can't face the Council tomorrow, they'll think I'm weak-willed and make all the decisions without me! But they can't do that! If they do, imagine the number of our solders that could die! What am I going to do, Sakura-ne-san?"

Sakura just smiled as she waited patiently for Hinamori to calm down. Really, the girl panicked and was flustered too easily.

It's your fault though, a little voice whispered in the back of her head. Because of your selfish actions, your sister had to pay the price.

Sakura frowned inside a bit before deciding to ignore that voice, though not without a slight twinge of guilt. It was her fault that Hinamori was forced to grow up so fast. Why oh why had she decided back then to…

"Ah mou, what do I do? Sakura-ne-san, what would you do?"

Sakura redirected her attention back to Hinamori, smiling reassuredly at her sister. "Daijobou, I covered for you at the meeting. I told everyone that you weren't feeling too well because of the excitement of getting ready for a final battle. The Council now has the illusion that you are actively supporting the decision and are urging you to attend Council tomorrow so they can discuss their new plans."

Hinamori sighed in relief. "Arigato, Sakura-ne-san. I don't know what I could do without you. You would make so much of a better princess and leader than I would."

Sakura quietly replied, "That's not true. Look, the solders and people love you. Council thinks you're getting better at your role everyday and nobody opposes the legitimacy of your right."

"D-demo…" Hinamori trailed off before saying with newfound strength, "Sakura-ne-san is so much more talented at government than me! You know exactly how do manipulate things to go your way and everyone thinks that you could be the best princess ever. So why did you choose to become Head Healer only? Even though that happened, everyone still wishes for you to ascend so…"

Sakura did not say anything for a bit and an awkward silence fell over the two sisters, broken only be the periodic clank of the guards' armor as they paced outside, barring outsiders from the royal room.

"I better take my leave. Please do feel better," Sakura said in a clipped tone as she gracefully swept out of the door, her cloak billowing elegantly behind her and her long dark blue hair swaying gently as she walked away.

Hinamori did not look up at all. In truth, she had not meant to say what she had just said. She knew she had sounded like a brat, but it was the truth. While they may act like they loved her, Hinamori was not so dumb as to not realize the people and Council both wished that Sakura were the leader and princess. She knew that from the whispers that faded every time she rounded a hallway or the gossiping she had heard as a child from the maids about what a refined lady Sakura was. While she never mentioned it with her sister, Hinamori was secretly jealous of Sakura. When she entered a room, Hinamori needed pomp and fanfare for anyone to acknowledge her presence. Otherwise, she would just blend in. The minute Sakura entered though, everyone fell silent, as if in awe of her presence. It did not matter if she was in some rag. Even in clothing like that, she still managed to look beautiful.

I wish that I were Sakura-ne-san. So beautiful…so perfect… It's not fair! Hinamori thought to herself. She was the type who could command anyone's respect while it had took everything for the Council to even listen to her. Sakura had had the Council listening to her since day one. She was unbelievable, and yet she only had settled for Head Healer. Hinamori was sure that Sakura could manage to find a way to end the way; afterall, she wasn't called the tensai of the century of all royalties for nothing.

Realizing moping was not going to get her anywhere, Hinamori slipped out of bed, dressed, and went to the bedroom where Hitsugaya-kun was. It's pretty late now. He's probably hungry, Hinamori though grimly as she quietly tiptoed to her charge's room.

At least someone needed her.

Yet unbeknownst to her, someone's eyes were on her. Unbeknownst to Hinamori, her secret had already been found out. Afterall, secrets never do stay secrets for long.