Hello all! As I am currently taking a little break from writing Prince of Tennis stories, I've decided to start writing a Bleach fanfic! This will be a multi-chapter story about my favorite couple from Bleach, Toshiro Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori. I originally planned to post this story up a few days later, but since I'm in a good mood because it's a special day for me today and I'm anxious to do it, I want to put it up early for all HitsuHina fans!

This story was inspired from the Korean romantic comedy movie, 'My Little Bride' (one of my favorite movies!). Of course for this version, I had to make several changes with the plot since our couple is somewhat different from the one in the movie.

By the way, I had a tough time choosing what picture to use for the cover image. Like it? Image provided courtesy of HitsuHina Fans Club photos page. I'm thinking of maybe changing it somewhat in the middle.

But why I am I still talking here? Right now sit back, relax, don't sit too close to the computer while reading, and enjoy the first chapter of My Little Groom!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or the plot of 'My Little Bride' or the names of Toshiro and Momo's family members which I've got permission to use from the author who created them(further explanation will be at the end!)in any way! If I'm lying, may lightning strike me dead right now!

(Silence...)

Hey look! I'm still alive! See? Believe me now? Good! Now cue the title and on to the story!

My Little Groom

Chapter 1: The Big News

One of the big things in life that every male or female will or may face in their future is the big moment when she or he dedicates their life to the one person they love and their lives would change from the moment they say "I do."

Yes, the big thing I'm talking about is marriage.

For many girls, it is considered the happiest moment of their lives. You're wearing the beautiful white dress of your liking and dreams and come to the pinnacle of the moment, walking down the aisle of a church and go to the man they will call husband forever. That man will be the one they will spend the rest of their lives with, someone who loves her for being her and not by appearances or type she is.

However…there are times when marriages will not be the kind you'd want, for sure.

Why you ask? And what kind of marriage do I mean? Well, the easier way to explain this kind of problem is by showing an example of one. That's what brings us to our story.

...

An airliner was flying in the air, on its way to Japan with its passengers inside. Among those passengers is one girl named Momo Hinamori. She is currently 20 years old and a college student with raven black hair tied in a bun and chocolate brown eyes. Now Momo who is originally from Japan of course had left her hometown and went on overseas to California. The reason why is because Momo's major in college is art. A year and a half ago, after Momo successfully graduated from high school, she was given a great opportunity to study at one of the best art schools in Los Angeles, California. It was difficult when she had to say good-bye to her family and friends, but she eventually got the courage and left on her path.

But now, less than two years after she left home, something came up and Momo was now happily making her way home.

As Momo sat through the plane ride, her mind was full of excitement for being back home again. She couldn't wait to see her family when she arrives, and all her friends from school and outside of school. However, there is one particular person in mind that she is most anxious to see out of those large group of friends. And in her seat, Momo was now looking at a picture she holds in her hand of that person. The person in the picture wore the uniform of a junior high student, has white hair and turquoise eyes. He was staring at the camera with a sullen frown on his face. The reason why is because he's not a fan when it comes to taking pictures of yourself (especially when you're forced to pose for your mom).

Looking at the picture of her friend gave Momo nostalgia and she chuckled to herself at old memories of her childhood.

A woman who sat next to Momo couldn't help but notice the girl looking at the picture and had a quick glimpse of the boy. "Your little brother?" she inquired.

Momo looked at the woman and shook her head. "Oh no. He's an old childhood friend," she corrected with a quick smile, "We practically played together since we were little."

Then she and all the other passengers heard the pilot's voice through the speakers.

"Attention all passengers, we are 5 minutes away from reaching Tokyo Airport. Please fasten your seat-belts and have your seats turned to their upright position as we prepare to land."

Hearing this announcement made Momo excited. "I'm nearly home," she said with enthusiasm, "I can't wait to see everyone!"

...

Meanwhile, 20 minutes away from where she is right now, the airport in Tokyo was full of people as usual. While a plane was on its way to landing at the airport, there were a lot of people waiting in the terminal waiting for people they know to arrive.

Waiting in that same terminal is a certain person, a boy to be exact, who is connected to Momo. While he was waiting for a plane to arrive, he was sitting on one of the chairs in the waiting area and looking at a letter he received a week ago from a friend to pass the time.

He read the last paragraph on the letter which had the big news that caught his and everyone else's attention when they read it upon its delivery.

'...And guess what? I got some good news. It just so happens that there's a change in plans and my professors has allowed me to resume studying in Tokyo. Yes, I'll be coming home soon! I'm sure you and the rest of the family will be happy when I come home. I'll see you soon Lil' Shiro!

Love,

Momo'

When he finished reading the letter again, the boy looked at a picture that came with the letter when it was sent. His friend had sent a picture of herself studying at her

He sighed, "That girl…She never changes."

But in secret, he actually did miss his friend. When she had told his and her families that she is to going to study overseas, he had first shown his disapproval and acted sullenly about the news for a while. But it was even difficult when he watched her leave.

A voice spoke over the intercom, "Attention, Flight 20 from LA, California is now landing at Gate 8."

When he heard the announcement, the boy put the letter he was reading into his pocket. Then he got up from his seat and started making his way to the said gate.

"That must be her," he said to himself.

...

Once the plane from California had finally landed and docked, the passengers came out and filed out into the busy airport. When Momo entered the terminal, she

"Ah…it feels good to be home," she said pleasantly.

Now the first thing she did was search area with her eyes, hoping that she may spot someone she knows who is there to pick her up. "I wonder who's coming?" she asked herself, "I know I told Mom and Dad that I'd arrive at this time."

Unsure of who is coming to see her, Momo started to walk a little further into the terminal, hoping to find the person who's supposed to meet her while she does so. After a minute or two however she didn't got any luck.

As she continued her search, Momo's eyes then noticed something amongst the crowd of people walking past her. She can see the back of someone with white hair walking about a few feet ahead of her. Momo can tell it's a male by the body shape, but then noticed the person stopping in the middle of the way and looked down at his feet. Then he is seen crouching down to one knee, making it look as if he's feeling sick or feeling something wrong.

Concerned, cause that's exactly what Momo is thinking when she saw him, she walked over and stood right behind the white haired man. "Ano, excuse me Oji-san, are you alright there?" she politely asked with worry.

Right when she said that, the owner of the white hair, who was actually crouching in order to tie his shoelace that came loose (obviously unnoticed by Momo), then got up and turned around to show his face and a startling surprise to Momo.

The person Momo mistook for an old man is actually a boy who looked as young as 14. In fact, he has the exact same features matching with the boy in the photo Momo was looking at recently on the plane.

"Who are you calling 'Oji-san', idiot?" the boy said curtly with a frown on his face, "Did your vision become worse in California?"

The boy was none other than Momo's childhood friend from the picture, Toshiro Hitsugaya. He no longer looked the same as he was in the picture. One is because he is wearing casual clothes that consists of a black polo shirt and gray pants. The second difference is that his hair is now spikier than before.

When he showed his face, Momo gave a gasp. "Oh! Lil' Shiro, it's you!"

In return, Toshiro's brows furrowed. "Hey, hey, hey. I thought I told you that I don't like to be called Lil' Shiro anymore," he said sternly.

Instead of heeding Toshiro's statement about addressing him, Momo enthusiastically ran over to him and nearly knocked him over when she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and engulfed him in a huge hug.

"Lil' Shiro! Oh I'm so happy to see you!" said Momo happily. Toshiro showed the opposite of happy. "Hey! Let go of me already Bed-Wetter!" he retorted hoarsely.

Momo wasn't aware that her hug was a little too tight until she heard Toshiro's strained voice. She pulled back and gave him a pout.

"Mou Lil' Shiro, I haven't seen you for months and this is how you greet me when I come home?" she whined, "You haven't changed a bit." But inside, Momo was glad that Toshiro hasn't changed too much since she left. "It's the same as always. I call him Lil' Shiro, and he'd call me Bed-Wetter. That's the Toshiro I know."

She then wanted to check something out of curiosity. She placed her hand on top of Toshiro's head and brought it towards her to compare their heights.

"Wow! You now reach my neck! You have grown a little bit while I was gone have you Lil' Shiro?"

Toshiro tried his best to contain his anger at the remark about his height. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that," he muttered, "And of course I grew! Did you think I was going to stay short forever after one year?!"

Momo giggled and reached out to tousle his hair. "Of course not."

Toshiro was annoyed when she is messing his hair, a thing Momo usually does when they were little. He finally swapped her hand away from his head. "Sheesh…can we go already?" he said impatiently.

He then began walking towards the exit, causing Momo to grab her bag and follow him.

Along the way, Toshiro spoke unemotionally, "Oh and by the way, thanks for that informative letter you sent."

Momo gave a pleased smile. "Oh, you read it?"

"Yeah I did. You sure write a lot of annoying and lamentable things when you get homesick."

"Hey! Mou Lil' Shiro, you really hadn't changed!"

"I told you before, quit calling me Lil' Shiro!"

To get home, Toshiro and Momo boarded a bus that was headed towards their hometown. Toshiro sat beside her with his arms crossed and looked like he wanted to fall asleep during the ride to home.

As the bus left the airport, Momo wanted to bring up a conversation to pass the time. "I was really surprised to see you here Toshiro. I bet you came all this way to want to see me first."

"Please, I didn't come for you," Toshiro snorted, "Why would a student need to escort a college student home when she is old enough to travel by herself?"

Momo shrugged off his comment and said, "But still, are you okay to be here? Normally junior high classes don't end this early."

Toshiro turned his gaze to Momo. "Look let me make a few things clear okay?" he began, "First of all, I'm in high school now."

Momo gave a bewildered expression. "Seriously? High school already? How did that happen? Before I left Tokyo, you were in the 7th grade."

"Well that's because I skipped a few grades dummy," Toshiro said before he continued, "Second, we got the day off because it's our school's anniversary. And third, I was forced to come here by my mom. She claimed that I shouldn't hang around at home and be the perfect gentleman and escort you home."

Looking away from Toshiro, Momo gave a hidden giggle of amusement. "That certainly sounds like your mother alright," she confirmed. She remembered how fun Toshiro's mother would be whenever she annoys her son the funniest ways.

Toshiro let out a sigh of exasperation as he sank further down in his seat. He grumbled, "That woman…Here I am, wasting time, when I should be studying…The exams are coming soon and does she think that I can pass without studying?"

Knowing the stress a high school student can experience when it comes to exams, Momo completely understood his feelings. "Cheer up Lil' Shiro," she playfully encouraged. Then she remembered something that will help him do so. "Oh yeah! I got you a present."

Toshiro may be uncooperative, but for this he got a little curious and turned his head so he saw Momo bending over and digging into her backpack. She took out a wrapped present that she had wrapped on her own and held it out to Toshiro. "Here you go."

Toshiro, not wanting to be rude, took the present and slowly unwrapped it. When he pushed aside the wrapping, he then took out a turquoise scarf that's neatly knitted and held it out in front of him. "This is...for me?"

Momo nodded eagerly. "I made it myself while I was in the dorm," she said proudly, "I hope it fits you. Here." She willingly took the scarf and wrapped it around Toshiro's neck for him, making sure it's snug and not too tight.

Toshiro took a moment to view his scarf and remark mentally how proficient Momo is in knitting this piece of work. "You actually knit this?"

Again, Momo nodded. "How do you like it?"

"Is this so you can try and attract my kindness?" asked Toshiro suspiciously.

"Is it working?" she asked, giving him the eager eyes that no one would say no to.

Toshiro looked at his present again before saying, "…A little…for starters."

It wasn't really a proper answer Momo was expecting, but it was a positive answer from Toshiro nonetheless. That was enough to make Momo happy so she beamed back at him.

When their bus reached the station in the city, the two friends then took a taxi cab to ride home. After about another 8 minutes, the cab finally made it to the neighborhood where Toshiro and Momo grew up together and stopped in front of the house that the Hitsugaya family lives in.

Seeing the house brings back good memories to Momo when she came out of the taxi took time to remember the past times she came to visit Toshiro when they were little.

Momo then walked around back to the trunk of the taxi to take out her bags but Toshiro beat her to it and had already opened the trunk door. "Don't. I got this," he said as he pulled out her bags.

"Are you sure?" said Momo, feeling a little bad that he's taking care of her stuff.

"I got it," Toshiro said again, "It's always the guy's job to take care of this."

"Why Toshiro, you're so sweet," Momo remarked.

"Don't start," Toshiro warned, "It's all because of my mom."

After he took out Momo's luggage, Toshiro closed the trunk and the taxi drove off. He then told Momo to wait outside for a bit and went past the gate and up to the front door of his house. After opening the door, Toshiro poked his head in so he can call out to those in the house.

"Mom I'm back! Tell Mr. and Mrs. Hinamori that Momo's here!" he announced.

After that, Toshiro returned to Momo and helped bring her baggage as both of them went up to the house together.

The first ones to run out of the house after Toshiro announced his and Momo's arrival are Momo's parents. Knowing that Momo will return on this day, they had gone ahead to the Hitsugaya home so that Toshiro can bring her there and the families will spend the afternoon together.

Miyako Hinamori, Momo's mother, was the first to come out after Toshiro announced Momo's arrival and immediately ran to her daughter with joy followed by her husband, Tatsuya Hinamori.

"Oh Momo! My baby's home!" her mother cried.

"Mom! Dad!" said Momo happily as she went and hugged her parents.

"My daughter! It's been so lonely without our girl here! Oh how we missed you!" Momo's father said and was near tears.

A second later Jushiro and Naomi Hitsugaya, Toshiro's parents, came out to greet Momo as well. They and the Hinamoris have been good friends for a long time.

"Well look who's here!" Naomi remarked, "Welcome home Momo!"

Momo bowed to Toshiro's parents and happily said, "Uncle Jushiro! Aunt Naomi! Thank you, it's good to see you again."

"You look well Momo," said Jushiro pleasantly, "Did you have a good trip?"

Momo nodded. "Yes I did thank you."

"Oh I see that my son has brought you here safely Momo. Did Shiro tell you how much he misses you yet?" said Naomi with a hint of tease in her voice. She has always been egging her son to one day get in a good relationship with the right girl and has Momo that top candidate in her list.

Toshiro narrowed his eyes at his mother and mumbled, "Mom..."

"Anyways, come in!" Jushiro invited warmly, "Grandma wants to see you too inside."

Momo's parents agreed as well and followed the Hitsugayas back into the house.

"Come on," Toshiro told Momo unemotionally as he brought her bags inside the house.

But before joining the Hitsugaya family inside, Momo asked her father for a quick moment alone just outside the door. "Dad, I want to ask you something. You and Mom sounded worried over the phone. Granny's not really sick is she?" she asked worriedly.

This was another reason why Momo had returned home from overseas. She had received word from her parents some time earlier before leaving California that Toshiro's grandmother has gotten sick recently, which of course worried everyone.

Mr. Hinamori looked at Momo with a strange look of uneasiness and held his daughter's hand.

"My daughter…I want you to brace yourself for what you're going to hear soon," he said with strong recommendation. Now Momo was clueless to the meaning of her father's warning, but she didn't thought about it too much as she followed her father inside the house.

Toshiro and Momo were now in the room of Toshiro's grandmother, his father's mother. Their parents and Toshiro's older sister, Miyuki, stood a distance from Grandma while Toshiro and Momo sat by her bed.

After greeting Grandma, Momo then took out her present for the elder Hitsugaya. She presented her a get well bracelet out of beads that included small images that she painted with her own hands and helped tie it around Granny's wrist.

"Here Granny. When I heard you were sick, I made this just for you. It will help you feel better," said Momo, "I hope you like it."

Granny smiled warmly at Momo. "Thank you Momo," she said kindly, "You are too kind to me after all these years. It always makes me feel like I have a granddaughter of my own."

"You are like my own grandmother to me Granny," said Momo in appreciation. She reached out and held the old woman's hand. "I always enjoy the times you take of me and whenever I visit you Lil' Shiro's family." Toshiro rolled his eyes and sighed when he heard her say the nickname he hates again.

Grandma then turned and faced Toshiro. "And Toshiro…the more I look at you, it's hard to believe that you're becoming a fine young man. Why it won't be long now until you grow into an adult and live your path as a responsible man. I doubt you won't even have time to spend taking care of your old granny when that time comes."

"What are you saying Grandma? Of course I'll continue to take care of you," Toshiro stated, "I'm your only grandson after all. It's the male's duty to look after his family."

His grandmother lightly chuckled and patted his hand. "Ah yes…And I'm sure with that confident attitude of yours, you will make a perfect husband who will protect his wife and love her with all his heart."

"Lil' Shiro a husband? That would almost be too impossible," Momo then said for fun.

Toshiro shot her a glare. "Cut it out", he retorted, "Once I'm older, I'll definitely be a strong reliable man to even take care of my own family, considering if I get married that is, which I doubt will never happen."

"Why of course you will," Grandma encouraged him, "All nice handsome men will eventually get married to a pretty girl."

Toshiro knows that his Grandma can sometimes be right in what she says, but he still has his doubts and dislike about marriage.

But while Tosihro and Momo were talking to Granny, when the subject about marriage life was brought up between them and Grandma, they didn't notice that both their fathers were giving each other looks of concern while the mothers had hidden smiles behind their backs. It's as if they know something that Toshiro and Momo have yet to know...

Okay ignore them for a moment and let's get back to the main characters here.

"Momo, Toshiro, come sit in front of me, both of you," the elderly woman now requested.

Toshiro and Momo did as she asked and brought their seats closer to the bedside so they would both closer to Grandma and in her front view.

After a short pause, Grandma started, "Now Toshiro, you probably already heard this story before, but Momo hasn't. Momo, your grandfather and Toshiro's grandfather, my husband, were old friends for a long time, even before both your parents were ever born."

Toshiro, who has heard this story before, nodded and knows what happened next. "And they both served in the army together. I know," he said.

Granny nodded. "That's right. And before they married to me and Momo's grandmother, your grandfathers made a pact with each other. They had promised that one day their children would marry."

Then Toshiro noticed something a little off. "But Grandma, both Grandpa and Momo's grandfather only had sons," he mentioned.

Again, Grandma nodded. "True. And that is why…the pact will be passed down to the next generation," she stated.

Then she reached out and held Toshiro's hand and Momo's hand with her own.

And with the sound of yearning in her voice, Grandma said, "Toshiro…Momo…both of your grandfathers have sadly passed so soon before they fulfilled their promise to each other. And so...I only hope for you two to help fulfill your grandfathers' promise as they would've wanted it."

After she said this, Momo and Toshiro were left confused and unaware of the point in Grandma's request.

"Huh?" was the response from Toshiro.

"Granny, what do you mean by that?" Momo asked eagerly.

Since Momo and Toshiro have yet to figure out the fact that's easy to figure out, Miyuki shook her head in disappointment and decided to give the big giveaway hint to her oblivious brother.

"Psst! Hey little bro, Grandma's saying that you have to marry Momo!" she whispered.

No one said a thing for the next 5 or 10 seconds until the shocking fact finally sank in to Toshiro and Momo's heads and left utterly speechless until it hit them.

"M-Marry her?!" "Marry him?!" both of them exclaimed in unison.

Author's Note: I know what some of you might be thinking now. "WHAT?! Momo and Toshiro are getting married now?!" Right?

Surprised? I thought so. ^^

But there you have it, the big news that awaits for our young couple. What will Toshiro say? What will Momo say? Are we going to be hearing wedding bells any time soon?

To find out, read the next chapter, when it comes out! So until then, review, favorite, follow, whatever you decide, PLEASE pick one!

One more thing! I'd like to take a moment to thank AznVKai. The names of Toshiro's mother, Momo's parents and Toshiro's sister all came from her stories and since I suck in making up names for OCs, I got her permission to use the names in this story. So thank you AznVKai!

Well, gotta go now! Got a lot of people wishing me happy birthday and I want to spend the day celebrating being a year older now in some way. Until next time, this is Skylark Dragonstar, signing out!