A Light in the Darkness

It...couldn't be. She couldn't be...dead?! The constant whining of the electrocardiograph grew louder in his ears, permeating his senses as the room seemed to shrink around him. Time slowed to a stop, and there was only him...and her. He bolted upright, swinging his legs off the edge of the table and stared at her in disbelief. Hinamori lay still, her face at peace. She would have looked asleep if it wasn't for the piercing sound and the incredibly pale color her face had become. White noise began to surround him, drowning out the high-pitched whine. "It...c..c..." all that came out was a guttural choke.

Matsumoto broke her commune with the floor to glance at the incredulity in her captain's expression. He looked like he was about to break. His mask was gone. For a fleeting moment, she felt his desperation until the panic started to fade from his face. For that one moment, she saw the despair of a man who just lost everything he had ever held dear. She waited for him to do something…anything. His eyes now showed no trace of the hope that had glinted from them when he woke. They were lifeless. The icy power they once had had melted into nothing. "Taichou...?" she ventured.

He gave her no response. The small captain merely stared, transfixed, as if time had suddenly stopped. Matsumoto spoke, more forcibly this time, "Taichou...!" Histugaya twitched. He didn't fight the numbness that had already begun to snake throughout his body. He couldn't...he didn't want to. His head swam. He felt dizzy. This had to be a joke—a dream. He was still inside her mind. It was an illusion. Just another illusion. It just...had to be...

But deep down, he knew that he was really awake. This was reality. He was back, but she...wasn't. He clenched his fist, pressing it into the surface of the table harder and harder until his nails dug into the palm of his hand. Why hadn't she followed him?! Was she still unconvinced? He had showed her, hadn't he? Everything. The first time he had wanted to show anyone his real feelings...especially her, yet she still hadn't acknowledged him. I told you to follow me now! I wanted you to!
...I needed you to...
...You can't leave...
...not again...

As he reached for her, he pitched forward and had to brace himself to keep from collapsing off the table and onto the floor. At this, the frozen scene came to life again around him. Somber Fourth Division attendants helped stabilize him on the table, but Hitsugaya took no notice. All he could see was Hinamori's body. All he could hear was the whine of the machine. He had failed her again. God, how many times did he have to endure his own uselessness when all he wanted to do was keep her safe?! Was this all he could do? All he was capable of? A captain's power... What good was it if it couldn't even save the life of the girl he loved?!

He didn't realize he was being taken from the room until the rolling table was halfway through the huge double doors. Suddenly, something tingled his senses like a distant flame, small and faint, but he recognized it immediately. Adrenaline surged through him, evaporating the numbness. A desperate hope, maybe, but all he knew was that he couldn't leave that room. In one fluid motion he sat up and pushed the astonished Fourth Division staff members out of the way as he sprang from the table.

"Unohana-taichou!" he shouted over the din of rising voices. "Send me back! You've got to send me back! I can reach her! She's not gone yet!" He knew nothing. Only that he had to get to Hinamori. The shouted orders to restrain him had no sound against his deaf ears. He had almost reached her until he found himself struggling to break free from Renji and Kira, each on one of his arms, slowly pulling him back to the doors. Hitsugaya fought back. He wasn't going to come so far for it to end like this. "HINAMORI!"

...Beep...

All traffic in the Omega Room stopped. A hush fell over everything as bewildered faces turned slowly to watch the one jagged peak pass along the solid, straight line of the electrocardiograph screen. A heartbeat. She was alive. He knew it. Hitsugaya took advantage of his captors' brief astonishment and wrenched his arms free. He was the only thing that moved in that room as he flew toward her.

He reached her table and took her hand in his. He mumbled something over her the remaining shinigami failed to hear. Then, he was thrown backward, as a shockwave slammed him into a rolling cart nearby; a loud crash as various utensils hit the floor. What the...! He would have been shot clear across the room had he not braced himself at the last second. What the hell...was that?! In all the years he had been a captain, he had never once dealt with an illusory technique so advanced and so powerful.

...Beep...

The sound jerked him out of his momentary stupor. His feet remained firmly planted on the floor where he stood, and he hesitated a moment more. At first he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but no...she was...glowing. A soft light, barely visible in the pure white room, radiated from her body.

...Beep...

Hitsugaya could feel it. Her reiatsu...it was getting stronger. "Hinamori...?"

...Beep...

The air in the room shifted, as if everyone took a deep breath at the same time and held it there, waiting. Hinamori still lay as she was, unmoving, but something was different. Even ten feet away from her, it was clear as day. Color had flushed back into her face. Hitsugaya made it halfway to the table, and his heart almost leapt into his throat when he saw her. The expression of peaceful slumber had changed...and she had started breathing again. Her brow was furrowed just as it used to be when she learned a new kidou technique, and couldn't quite get it right the first time.

...Beep...

...Beep...

At this, Hitsugaya couldn't stop the smirk that spread across his face. He closed the distance between him and the table and spoke, "Hinamori."

...Beep...

"I know you can hear me."

...Beep...

"Open your eyes. You're free."

Her fingers twitched.
...Beep……beep…beep…beep…

The electrocardiograph sprung back to life into a constant rhythm as her pulse assumed a steady tempo. The faint flame he had felt before was growing. Her reiatsu…It's getting stronger. "Momo," he urged, "open your eyes…" Her face twitched and he took her hand.

She's going to be alright. Those words kept flashing inside his head. He wouldn't let them fade. Hitsugaya had already convinced himself that there was no stopping it now. She had to come back to him. She would. And he was going to be right here, waiting for her. "Momo…wake up."

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Hinamori opened her eyes, slowly. "Momo..." They fluttered a moment as they adjusted to the light in the room. She could hear a familiar voice growing steadily louder. "Momo...wake up." She could see the owner of that voice. A boy with white hair…he was leaning over her. "You overslept, Momo."

"Sh...Shirou-chan...?" she said, a little groggy.

"Hey! Get outta my bed already, will ya?!" Toushirou shook her. She sat bolt upright.

"Sh…Shirou-chan!" Hinamori hugged the sheets in front of her. "Wh…what time is it?"

"It's time to get UP. Granny's calling us for breakfast." Toshirou pulled the sheets back toward his side, exasperated with her for not moving.

Hinamori looked as if she was about to cry. "I...I'm sorry, Shirou-chan. I guess I accidentally fell asleep..."

That look on her face erased his annoyance with her and he immediately started fumbling. "Hey...hey! C'mon...don't cry or anything." Toshirou rolled his eyes and scoffed. He hated it when girls cried. "You couldn't help that you had a nightmare..."

Hinamori sobbed into the sheets clutched in her hands. "I...didn't...mean..." She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see little Toshirou, his hair tousled and a mess, staring at her with...concern?

Toshirou placed his other hand on her other shoulder and reluctantly said, "It's OK. I...I'm sorry I yelled..." After all, this had been the first time she had sought comfort from him due to one of her nightmares. "Let's go have some breakfast, 'kay?" She had only vaguely realized it then. Her Toshirou was there for her. He was her light, always there to protect her from the darkness…always there…

He was…he is…he's here.

"Momo..." She heard that voice again. "Momo...wake up."

But I'm already awake.

"I'm right here. Everyone's waiting."

I know...I can hear...?

"Momo?"

Shirou-chan...is that you?

"Wake up."

I'm trying...It's still so dark...

"Wake...UP."

With those words a jolt of pain shot through her arm. But whatever it was it had done the trick. She gasped, and her eyes flew open. The blinding white light seared her eyes and made them tear. She was on a table, her surroundings a fuzzy mesh of inarticulate shapes. She could hear voices but could not yet make out the words. Standing next to her, barely visible against the stark white walls of the large room...a young man with white hair dressed also in white... gazing down at her...concern on his face.

"Shi...rou-cha...ah!...Hitsu...gaya-kun…?" Her voice was a mere whisper, having grown hoarse with disuse. It was him. But was he real? Her vision was a little blurry; her eyes still adjusting to the light.
"Aa," he answered in confirmation. "We've been waiting for you." He smirked. "You overslept...Momo..."

Minutes seemed to pass without regard, as everyone waited. They heard whispers, nothing more until Hitsugaya stepped aside allowing them all to see. Hinamori was alive. There she was, still lying there, but awake and aware.
It was like an immense weight was lifted and the air immediately seemed lighter. Renji felt like he could breathe again. Kira was about to pass out from the anxiety. And all Matsumoto could do was smile, but on the inside she was bursting. Taichou, you did it. You saved her.

Hinamori made a weak effort to sit up. Gentle smiles spread across faces lining the room. Unohana was the one to speak, "Hitsugaya-taichou…I think it's time we moved Hinamori-fuku taichou to a more comfortable location. She needs to rest."

"Of course." Hitsugaya helped her lie back down on the table as the attendants scurried around, detaching the machines and making preparations to move her.
"You may come too if you wish." She held out the black layrobe he had arrived in. Without a word, Hitsugaya, icy mask securely back in place, approached and slipped his arms into the open sleeves. He nodded his sincerest thanks to her before falling in line behind the already-rolling table and out of the Omega Room.

Wow. Hi. So I know it's been awhile since I've updated this story... SO sorry!!!!!! m(. .)m

Truth is, I've had this chapter done for months, I just never got around to editing it. I'm finishing up my masters thesis at the moment, so I can only tackle one writing project at a time! I promise, though, that this story is not over yet, and I will update again once I'm done with my dissertation. Thank you so much for reviewing and showing your support! I really appreciate it! And sorry, again, for the long wait...