Melting the Ice

Here's chapter 2 and things get a little more complicated but that's all I'm going to say haha, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Bleach doesn't belong to me.

Chapter 2: Avalanche

There was a lot of information swirling around in her head, as she regained consciousness, moments here and there, some recent and some from long ago. Fighting side-by-side with Matsumoto when she'd rejoined the battlefield, finding Aizen's body when he'd fooled everyone into thinking he'd been killed. And she could've sworn she'd heard Unohana and Hitsugaya's voices recently. But the moment that hurt the most that her mind kept replaying was suddenly being stabbed from behind. At first she didn't even know when she'd been pierced or who had pierced her. The most immediate thing was the sharp, burning pain bursting from her chest and seeing her own blood fall.

But then she'd felt his icy reiatsu, the way he'd carried her in his arms, all of it so familiar but she didn't understand what was happening. Why was it happening? It was over so quickly she couldn't even process it all. The last thing she remembered before falling unconscious was seeing his striking teal eyes looking down on her in pure shock and fear. She hadn't even heard his answer to when she'd asked why he'd done it.

Her hand went to her chest where his blade had been, not even a scratch remained. She was completely healed of it, if only her mind had been healed as well. Hinamori slowly sat up, her body still feeling weak, and looked around the room. Ah yes, she was recovering, that would mean she was currently under Unohana-taichou's care. It was so quiet out, where was everyone? What time was it? While she had no means of telling time, looking out the window showed that a full moon was out. It was either very late at night or very early the next morning.

"I wonder where he is..." she thought out loud but then shook her head as if to dismiss the very thought. "He's probably asleep plus he probably wouldn't want to see me right now anyways." with no one around to talk to she voiced her worries out into the darkness. She flopped back down against the pillows and looked up to the ceiling.

She shut her eyes trying to fall back asleep but her mind didn't make it easy for her. Just as she started drifting off, that intrusive thought invaded her mind again. The memory of the agonising pain of his cold sword piercing her felt so real that she jolted up, screaming like she'd actually been stabbed again. Both hands raced to her chest but once again there was nothing there. Her whole body was trembling and tears left her eyes, her heart was racing. Breathe Momo!

The room was silent save for her heavy breathing, her vision blurred from her tears. It took a few minutes but she eventually calmed down. Why did it have to be this way? She wiped away her tears. She didn't want it to be like this but the more she thought about it, the more a part of herself deep down was trying to deny what she was feeling.

Shiro-chan.

Things were complicated enough as it was between them. He'd told her to forget about it back when she'd tried to apologise for blaming him and accusing him of being responsible for Aizen's "death" but, it wasn't so easy for her. Even now she still felt guilty for doing that to him. He was the most important person in her life and she'd raised her blade against him, yes she'd been manipulated but, that did little to ease her shame.

And now worst of all after what had happened between them that landed her in the hospital this time made her consider something she thought she never would.

Part of her was afraid.

What would she say to him if he came to see her? What would he say to her? Would he explain what happened? Did she even want to know anymore and what if she didn't like his answer? What would that mean for them? And probably the most important question of all:

Was she afraid of him?

The fact that she couldn't answer 'no' immediately worried her. Hinamori covered her ears and shut her eyes trying desperately to silence the intrusive and painful questions swirling around in her mind. She didn't want to think about this anymore.

"Hinamori-fukutaichou." a calm, warm voice caught her attention.

"Unohana-taichou." she looked up, wiping away her remaining tears.

"You've finally woken up, I'm glad. I'm sure Hitsugaya-taichou will be just as glad." Unohana walked in and stood beside her bed, noting how troubled she looked and the confusion on her face. "He's been your most frequent visitor. He was never far from your side for very long." she smiled when Hinamori looked surprised, "I'm sure after so much time, you must have a lot of questions." Hinamori nodded in response. Where would she even begin asking?

Xxx

It was near sunset when Hitsugaya decided to head back to his room, he'd more than reached his limit. Operating on an already low amount of sleep paired with intense training and he was ready to collapse on his futon and sleep even if it was only for an hour or two.

Just as he'd closed his door he felt her presence right outside. He sighed. If it's not one thing it's another.

"Matsumoto, whatever it is I'm sure it can—

"It's about Hinamori, sir. She's awake." his vice captain spoke from the other side of the door.

What?

He froze on the spot. It was good news undoubtedly, but a heavy feeling of unease settled in him. He'd unconsciously been avoiding thinking about what he'd do when this day finally came. He had to go see her, that wasn't up for debate but what would he say to her? How could he even begin to apologise for what he'd done to her?

He'd dismissed Matsumoto but remained rooted on the spot. He clenched his fist, he felt like he couldn't move. She's finally awake, you have to go see her. This is what you've been hoping for, for weeks, backing out isn't an option. His mind was occupied with too many thoughts.

The following evening he'd walked into the office and found Matsumoto at her desk, actually working. She stopped writing and turned to him as he sat down. He still hadn't gone to see her and she could tell. She put her brush down.

"Taichou, you can't avoid her forever." she folded her arms on the table.

He leaned back in his chair and sighed. He wasn't in the mood for this conversation. He very much knew that and was already giving himself hell for not going the second he'd found out but talking about it wasn't going to change that.

"Matsumoto, don't..."

"I went to see her this afternoon, she's doing well but, she's definitely waiting." she saw him shift in his chair. Her captain had never been one to talk about feelings or about himself in general but she could could always tell when her words got through to him, and this had been one of those times. He'd go see her, if not tonight then very soon after.

Feeling very proud of herself for finishing a whole stack of papaerwork, she stacked them neatly then reached into her bottom drawer and pulled out a bottle of sake. Hard work deserves a reward, she thought to herself. She did this for two reasons: one, it had been too long since she'd had a drink and was long overdue especially since she really had worked hard and two, it was the perfect excuse for her to be out of the office for a while while her captain did what needed to be done and had the space to do so.

She greeted her captain in a sing-song voice before heading out. It was going to be tough for them but they needed this.

He'd waited until the very last second, until he was certain it would just be two of them awake and talking. Of course the medical teams were always on standby whenever they were looking after a patient but still, late nights meant fewer people around.

He'd walked down the familiar hall he'd walked almost everyday for weeks to get to her room. When he got to her door he'd stopped and thought, it was now or never. He'd already come this far and he was determined to see her, he wanted to see her.

He opened the door and stood in the door way, still not ready to walk in. He looked inside and there she sat on her bed, her body facing away from him, she was looking out the window but she was aware of his presence.

"Hinamori..." he said her name but couldn't say anymore. She turned to face him, her soft gaze meeting his own.

"Hitsugaya-taichou..."

And let the drama begin. What will she say to him? What will he say to her? Not to mention they're already off to a rocky start. Stay tuned for chapter 3.

Well that's it from me-

Until the next chapter:

Ketsui Tasogare :-)