Mind Reader
Disclaimers – I still don't own bleach - I'm being totally serious, see no witty comment or anything…
Okay, I had to tweak the Bleach storyline a little, mostly the fact that Momo is still in a coma at this point. Call it artistic license… or, you know, just messing up the story a bit…
Toshiro was feeling strange.
And not just because of what he had seen in Suì-Fēng's brain. His head hurt, and his slim frame had ever so slightly started shaking. He thrust his hands into his pockets, clenching his jaw in an attempt to stop the pounding in his head, or at least lessen it. No such luck. He would just have to hurry to Mayuri's. There had been far too many distractions already. He pushed his speed to a run, darting amongst the bushes, faster and faster, until his vision blurred and his feet gave way beneath him He ended up collapsed against a tree. Damn it. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't seem to flash step. Sighing, he began the steady walk to the 12th Division.
After about 10 minutes of relative silence and painfully slow walking a noise, quiet at first but growing louder, could be heard. It was different to when Yoruichi and Ichigo had run past – this had a rhythm, although it was a rhythm completely different to anything Toshiro had ever heard before. Every beat of the music – was that what it was? – made Toshiro's head thump in agony. 'Don't worry', he told himself, 'it will soon go'. It didn't.
Instead it grew louder, centering itself around the third company barracks. Toshiro knew he shouldn't go, but if he continued he would have to listen to that noise for at least another 20 minutes until he got far enough away. And Hitsugaya was sure his head would explode if that damn music didn't stop. It would only take 2 minutes, he reasoned, and it would save him a lot of pain. Turning into the third division barracks he followed the noise to the recently deserted captain's office.
In the office, gathered around what appeared to be a stereo, was a large group. Of course Toshiro remembered to stay on the other side of the room as to not hear any thoughts – see, he was learning. When he entered everyone looked up ant Toshiro noted the faces. There was Lieutenant Kira (no surprise there), his own Lieutenant, Rangiku – Wait, wasn't she supposed to be doing paperwork? – Lieutenant Hisagi, Third seat Madarame, Fifth seat Ayasegawa and Lieutenant Abarai.
"What. Are. You. Doing?"
Toshiro had lost every ounce of patience he had ever owned. The noise was unbearably loud, and the steady thumping in his head had progressed to elephants.
"Oh, hi Captain! We're just listening to music – it's from the world of the living!" Rangiku grinned
"Yeah, it's great!" Renji chipped in
At that moment it was difficult for Toshiro to not crush every one of their smiling faces. He reserved himself instead to grumbling, staring at the open doorway behind him,
"Doesn't sound much like music to me"
"Oh, Lil'Shiro, it's just different!"
Whipping his head round at the sound at that voice, that voice that belonged to his childhood friend, he saw a slim figure step through the crowd.
"Momo, you shouldn't be up"
It was the first time Toshiro had seen Momo out of the hospital, and she looked scarily fragile – as if she could snap at any moment. The fences between them had been slowly mended by rigorous crying sessions (on Hinamori's side obviously) in the fourth division barracks, but an awkward air still hung around the two of them. I was hard to forget, after all, that she had tried to kill him not so long ago.
"Honestly Lil'Shiro, Unohana said I could leave as long as I was careful and returned for regular check-ups"
Hitsugaya's eyebrows twitched
"Don't call me Lil'Shiro. And I'm not sure this noise is good for you"
"Like I said, it's not noise LIL'SHIRO it's just different"
Rangiku, who had somehow managed to stay silent up to this point (and who was obviously pleased by what had passed between her Captain and Hinamori) grinned
"Yeah! But isn't it fantastic, right Hinamori?"
"Of course, although to be truthful I'm not even sure what some of this stuff means"
"Like what? Isn't everything pretty straight forward?" Rangiku frowned
"Well, yeah, but I don't get some of it, like this- "
Momo squinted at the CD case in her hands
"S&M"
"….."
Silence. You could have heard a pin drop. Hell you could have heard an atom drop. The group gathered around Hinamori could only stare, whilst Rangiku's mouth was dangerously close to cracking open with laughter. A bewildered Momo looked around at her friends who had suddenly become statues.
"What did I say?"
Rangiku shakily took the CD from her,
"I'll explain at our next slumber party"
All the males in the room had still not recovered. And probably wouldn't for several months. Finally Hitsugaya remembered where he was and cleared his throat, trying to control the faint blush that was creeping along his neck.
"I'll be going"
And with that he was gone. He walked through the third division in a daze, not really paying attention to where he was going. His headache was still very prominent, and the music was still playing. But no way was he going back in there. Whilst he tried to mentally re-boot himself from shock Hinamori ran after him.
"Wait Lil'Shiro!"
Hitsugaya shut his eyes tight. Please don't ask me please don't ask me please don't ask me please….
"I want to apologize!"
Please don't ask me please don't ask me..
"Lil'Shiro?"
Please I'll do anything don't ask me what S&M is
"LIL'SHIRO? Are you listening to me? I want to apologize again for not trusting you!"
Wait – she's not going to ask me! Thank God, no thank Zeus, hear that Byakuya? The fact she wasn't going to ask him on the wonders of S&M had made Toshiro giddy with relief. And who wouldn't? Pulling himself together he forced himself to turn to Hinamori with a serious expression.
"But Momo, you've apologized enough"
"Still….I'm so sorry…"
Her eyes welled up with tears and Toshiro grew concerned. After all, she was practically a sister to him. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he had the chance she flung herself at him, laying her head on his chest. Toshiro panicked. This was way too close! Her thoughts! But when the static arrived it didn't bring images with it, instead black swirls filled with clouds and darkness. His eyes widened in shock and he pulled away from Momo. Wasn't she recovering?
"Get back to the fourth division Hinamori"
"Honestly, I'm fine…."
She glanced up, and something in the Tenth division captain's face stopped her from arguing. Instead she wiped her eyes and nodded.
"I will Lil'Shiro….. and thanks"
She turned and hurried away. Toshiro stared after her. Those clouds could mean one of two things – either Momo was in serious trouble – or Toshiro's powers were fading. He prayed it was the latter. In fact he couldn't even bring himself to think of the alternative. He turned and started walking, only to be stopped by a shout,
"Wait Lil'Shiro! I forgot – what's S&M?"
The entire third division poked their heads out of their windows and stared at Hinamori. And it was only Hinamori, because upon hearing the question, Toshiro had suddenly recovered the will to flash-step, and had run away.
And there it is, longest chapter yet actually. Sorry for slow updating, GCSE'S etc. But I did it. For you. Because I love you. Yes I do. Seriously. Marry me?