Epilogue

Chapter 26. A New Day Has Come

I do not own Bleach.

Hitsugaya leaned against the wall in his office, staring out into the distant horizon from the confined space of his building's division.

Hinamori was to be released from the hospital whenever she woke up.

Since the sun was about an hour away from rising, he guessed that she would be out of there in 50 minutes, for she was always one of the very first to awake in Soul Society, that is, except for today.

Hitsugaya was convinced that the main reason she woke up so early was because she loved to see the sunrise. And as he stood there, by the window in his office, Hitsugaya began to think that he, as well as many others should follow her lead.

Sunrise was the symbol that represented the start of a new day, and the start of a new beginning, when one could start over, and try again.

A new day…ohhh

A new day…ohhh

Hinamori had woken up about two hours before the sun rose.

She knew that the members of the 4th division probably would not be awake yet, and she was not about to be rude and wake anyone.

She glanced out at the sky, it was early Spring now, the dark sky was violet and still dabbed with stars. The silver moon was waxing and half-full, bathing the world below in a pale river. The night was slowly transforming into day, the day that she knew she would be released from this hospital, so the night before she had lost about 3 hours of sleep.

She had been awake and eager for one hour so far and still had two more until the sun came up. But she just loved the sight of the silent world before morning.

Nothing stirred, aside from a small flitter or flutter in the shadows.

And nothing made a sound, aside from the faint scuttling and ruffling among the undergrowth.

And since she had so much time to kill, she let her mind be filled with the sweet and treasured memories of the past she had shared with the one she loved so much.

I was waiting for so long

For a miracle to come

Everyone told me to be strong

Hold on, and don't shed a tear

Everything came back to her that morning, every battle that she had ever fought, won and lost.

She remembered the times that she had been defeated, every time from the Arrancar, and all the way back to her first training practice at the Shinigami Academy.

The dark shadows of betrayal that had overcome her, her former taichou and all of his plots and ambitions, and intensions. Yet with each of the battles she had lost, she had won two in return.

Almost everyone thought that she had it easy; apparently, they thought that becoming fukuutaichou was simple for her.

And they were dead wrong.

She had worked herself to the bone to obtain her current position; it had not in the slightest been easy.

But, she had always had one person by her side, who she could always count on to be there for her, no matter what.

All this time, she had been waiting for someone; she had just never been quite sure whom.

All this time she had been searching, waiting for him.

Through the darkness and good times

I knew I'd make it through

And the world thought I had it all

But I was waiting for you

As the golden sun flooded over the awakening world below, Hitsugaya stood up straight from leaning, and made his way towards the door.

He walked through the early shadows of the Seireitei streets his hands tucking into his sleeves and his arms folded across his chest. Only a soft breeze and the distant chorus chant of the birds sounded as he made his way to the 4th division. When he finally arrived at his destination, he did not enter, for he was sure that no one was awake yet.

He continued to stare up at the brightening sky as he leaned back against the building behind him. But then, he saw that there were dark clouds hovering in the distance, slowly being blow towards the sun by the wind. The sharp tang of rain was on the wind and Hitsugaya prayed that it held off until Hinamori was released.

As time ticked by, the sun grew brighter and brighter and Hitsugaya began to wonder if the storm would manage to break out at all. As he stared out at the awakening city, the aqua-eyed boy failed to notice that inside the building he leaned against, a door was being opened, and a girl was stepping out.

As movement caught his eye, Hitsugaya turned around to see Hinamori stretching as she walked out of the medical building and gazing up at the sun, not noticing him.

The way the sunlight showered her, made her look attractively beautiful, her charm stunned him for the first time, and at that moment she turned in his direction, eyes sparkling, and the two exchanged smiles.

Hush, now,

I see a light in the sky, oh

It's almost blinding me

I can't believe

I've been touched by an angel with love

A small river of stray tears began to stream down her face as he walked over to her.

She was not sad, she was happy, overjoyed, and so she cried.

Then, as Hitsugaya stood by her side, the first few raindrops descended from the blue heavens and dripped onto the world below. Although the drizzle had taken its dark cloud with it, the sun still shown brightly above. She stood by him and gazed up at the strange sky, clouds accompanying sunlight as the droplets fell, all at the same time.

As the rain came down, it refreshed everything, and everyone it touched, cleansing them of old sins and letting them start anew.

It washed away all regrets and fears, all sorrow, sadness, and worries, and made room for new ones, later on.

Let the rain come down and wash away my tears

Let it feel my soul and drown my fears

Let it shatter the walls for a new sun

A new day has come

Hitsugaya placed his hand on her head, shielding her from the cool rain that steadily poured blissfully from above.

He wondered where it all came from. How could such delicate, weightless clouds hold so much water, and have it spill out all at once in multiple locations? And when it rained, why did the water come down as individual drops, and not an overwhelming wave? Why did it not showered them as if it were an ocean current, or like a glass that had been tipped over, instead of like a sprinkler?

These questions had always lurked in his mind, but he had never actually given them thought until now, and he did not know the reason why they came to him now. As the rain continued to steadily shower them, Hitsugaya was beginning to think that his hand would not keep her dry much longer.

He was about to suggest going inside, but when he glanced down at her, her chestnut eyes were sparkling, as if she were enjoying the sky water. Instead of inside, Hitsugaya suggested sheltering under a nearby tree, and to his surprise, Hinamori accepted heartily.

She gazed up into his aqua eyes, and locked their vision.

She saw the determination to protect and the love only a true friend could have in those eyes.

Where it was dark now there's light

Where there was pain now there's joy

Where there was weakness I found my strength

All in the eyes of a boy

Hinamori shivered slightly at the cold water, and the next thing she knew, Hitsugaya had offered her to sit down.

She neatly curled her legs under her and knelt beside him, as he leaned back against the tree. The fact that his warm hand was no longer protecting her head, the wet girl switched positions and made her way over to the dripping tree and leaned back beside him.

He lay his arm around her and she cuddled closer to him.

She was aware that the light of the sun was becoming stronger and brighter, yet the rain did not cease.

Hush, now

I see a light in the sky, oh

It's almost blinding me

I can't believe

I've been touched by an angel with love

The cold chill of the rain seeped into her, drenching her hair, and trickled from every inch of her being.

Her once warm shihakushou was now soaked with the water that fell so ecstatically from the bright sky above. However, the warmth of her friend comforted her somewhat, but she lifted her head and looked out over the awakening world.

And the rain seemed to wash away all of her fears, regrets, and worries, and carry them away in an unseen tide.

She wondered if the rain did this to anyone else as well, this invisible cleansing of the mind, body, and soul.

Let the rain come down and wash away my tears

Let it feel my soul and drown my fears

Let it shatter the walls for a new sun

A new day has…

The wet girl tried her best to keep herself from shivering, for this would signal Hitsugaya that she was cold, whereas he would make her go inside.

She envied him, he had the ability of the snow and the rain in every season, and he never got cold. In fact, she could not recall even one time when she saw him shiver, aside from times when he thought about something or someone he hated.

But to her, he was like the rain. He washed away he troubles and fears, and he replenished every fiber of her soul with love.

When she was around him, her heart beat more calmly, and it was as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders.

Let the rain come down and wash away my tears

Let it feel my soul and drown my fears

Let it shatter the walls for a new sun

A new day has come

Suddenly, the sun burst from behind its cloudy cell, and the final shower of rain pattered down to the world below it.

Gently, Hitsugaya uncurled his warm arms from around her and she wished that he had not. Hinamori shivered and shook the water from her drenched body as she pulled away from her friend. The peace and the love they shared now made it feel as if the battle weeks before had never happened at all. She wanted to cry of joy again, but she stopped herself, for she was quite tired of crying.

And besides, that would only make him worry.

Hitsugaya slowly stood to his feet, and as Hinamori staggered after him, he reached out his hand. She carefully slid her hand in his; they fit perfectly, like a puzzle.

As he pulled her up, she saw the sincerity and affection only he could give her.

His eyes sparkled brighter than the sun to her, with feelings that no one else had to offer.

Hush, now

I see a light in your eyes

All in the eyes of a boy

The two of them walked away from the tree near the 4th division building, and it seemed that Hitsugaya was leading her back to the 10th division.

Light sprinkles of rain still drizzled and droplets clung onto the trees and rooftops, sliding off whenever they pleased to do so.

A feeling that she had never felt towards anyone else flourished inside of Hinamori as she walked along beside her friend.

I can't believe

I've been touched by an angel, with love

The day had breezed by faster than either of them could have thought, and Hitsugaya had to offer for Hinamori to spend the night.

I was far before dusk, but he did not like the thought of her out by herself when she was still recovering, who knows what could happen?

Said offer was accepted gratefully, and Hinamori neatly sat herself down on his couch. The dreariness of the outside world made her tired, and the lazy patter of a new rainfall drummed a hypnotizing lullaby.

The white-haired taichou sat down next to her, and before he knew anything more, she was asleep on his shoulder.

I can't believe I've been touched by an angel with love

Hitsugaya let her sleep soundly, and since it was so early, he knew that she would wake up very early as well, so he allowed his eyelids to close.

The steady humming of the rain was so distant, and Hinamori was so close to him, that he did not know if the beating sound ringing in his ears was the water, or her heartbeat.

Nonetheless, her soft breathing calmed him, and he listened to her deep inhalations.

"Oyasuminasai." He whispered.

And the night left the two friends together, sleeping peacefully like they had been once before.

Hush, now (oh)

A new day (oh)

Hush, now

A new day.

A/N: Sumimasen, was that chapter longer than all the others? Oh well, please let me know what you thought! Review!!

This is not the last chapter either!!

Haha yeah, ano...I am not sure if people normally do this but my epilogue has 2 chapters. So that means, the next chapter is the last!!

And once again, thanks to all who have stuck with me, read this far, reviewed and pointed out my mistakes, or simply told me that they liked the story.