I'm back! And this is the first update I'm doing in 2013! I am so so so soooo sorry to keep you guys waiting too long. I was busy saving money at my recent intern job these past few months.
Unfortunately I got bad news. Since I work a majority of the day during the weekdays and my sisters continue to annoy me by hogging the only computer we have at home, I'm going to be having trouble in posting more chapters quickly than usual. So if I fail to update as soon as possible, it's my sisters' fault. Again, I'm deeply sorry!
If only I had my own laptop, then I'd be happy. *sigh...
Well anyway that's it for the sad news.
But AT LAST! I've finished Chapter 4 for this story!
Previously in the story, now that Naomi's plan successfully got Toshiro to say yes to the wedding, our favorite couple has no other choice.
Oh and by the way, I'm going to change a bit of info concerning Toshiro and Momo's background. For now, unless I somehow come up with an idea in the middle of writing this story, Toshiro is about to turn 15 and is in his junior year in high school (I know that in the previous chapters I made him a freshman, but I'm going to edit it eventually.), and Momo is around 19 years old and in her 2nd year of college.
Chapter 4: Wedding Day and Honeymoon
After coming home from visiting his grandmother, Toshiro went straight to his room and stayed there for the remainder of the day, wanting nothing but quiet and peace to drown his sorrows alone. That night was going to be known as the gloomiest night in Toshiro's life.
Hours have passed and Toshiro remained lying on his bed with his legs dangling over the side, staring at the ceiling and filled with remorse. The other reason why, besides the fact that he's going to be married now, was that he eventually found out the plan Naomi put out to force him to say yes.
"...What have I done...?" he lamented, "...My own mother scammed me..."
A while later, he heard a knock on his door. "Toshiro?" he heard the voice of his sister from the other side of the door. The door slowly opened and Miyuki stepped inside.
Finding her brother lying on his bed in lament, Miyuki came over to try and get him to cheer up somehow. "Hey little brother," she said with a smile as she took a seat beside him on the bed. She leaned a little forward to look at his face.
"What's the matter? Are you crying?" she asked out of concern.
"Don't be stupid..." Toshiro retorted with no energy, confirming that he wasn't doing any sort of crying.
Miyuki sighed and shook her head. "Come on Toshiro, lighten up." She placed her hand on his hair and gave it a small tousle along with an encouraging smile. "It's not everyday that you're the first prodigy in the whole town to be married first early. Congrats, Mr. Hitsugaya!"
She was hoping that her small little joke in addressing Toshiro as an adult man would get her brother to show enthusiasm, or to see the bright side in getting married. But to her disappointment, Toshiro remained lying down and frowning, not amused or appreciating her comment.
She tried again. "Hey, why are you so gloomy? I think Momo's the perfect bride for you. What's there to be afraid about?" she said, "It's not like you have something embarrassing that you're scared of her finding out. Like, do you remember when you first discovered that she wet her bed when she was younger? I remember how you teased her constantly about it."
Again, her attempt to cheer him up failed. Not even an enlightening memory of the past seemed to work in bringing Toshiro up to a good mood. Miyuki then had to give a sigh of defeat.
At this time, a knock came from the doorway again, this time followed by a new voice.
"Hey, mind if I come in?"
Standing at the the doorway is Jushiro.
Miyuki's eyes met Jushiro's as she said with a shrug from her shoulders. "I tried Dad. But I think it's worse than I thought," she said regrettably.
"I see," said Jushiro, "Why don't you go down and see if your mother needs help Miyuki? I'll try talking to him."
At his suggestion, Miyuki willingly agreed with her dad. She got up, left Toshiro and headed to the door. Before passing him, Jushiro patted his daughter's shoulder, reassuring her that everything'll be alright and watched her walk out.
While Toshiro remained lying on his back, Jushiro came and sat on the desk chair and brought it beside the bed, so he can have a father and son talk. Understanding his son's feelings right now, Jushiro wanted to have the chance to help his son.
"Come on, you can let it all out to me," he encouraged Toshiro, "What's on your mind right now?"
There was a few seconds of silence before Toshiro spoke. "Dad…am I really going to get married…?" he moaned.
Jushiro gave a reluctant nod and a half smile. "Yes…I'm so sorry that we're forcing this on you," he said with a deep apologetic look.
Toshiro sat up and gave a depressed look at his father. "Dad…what am I going to do? How will get along with my life?" he said, "And I still haven't even gone to college yet…"
Jushiro continued to give his son encouragement. "Now I'm sure nothing will be that much different once you've married. Why for now and for the while, don't imagine Momo as your wife. Think of her as if you've got a new older sister."
Despite his advice, Toshiro still has one problem that will haunt him throughout his education. "But what about school? If everyone finds out…I'll never live through the humiliation…I'll be mocked throughout the rest of my high school life..."
Jushiro came closer and patted Toshiro's knee. "Don't worry about that," he reassured, "Your grandmother and I will take care of that. You remember that your Principal Yamamoto is a good friend of the family. Besides being my old teacher, he was your grandfather's old military comrade as well."
Toshiro looked at Jushiro, seeing a little ray of hope in his situation. "He was?" he asked to make sure.
Jushiro gave a confirming nod. He then reached up and patted Toshiro's head. "Cheer up Toshiro. I'm sure things will be settled after a while. And don't forget, you're not the only one who is worrying about this wedding. Why I'm sure Momo is about worried as you are."
...
Speaking of which, Toshiro was not the only person who's wallowing out his own sorrowful depression on that night, just as Jushiro predicted. At the same time in a club restaurant (on Rangiku's recommendation), Momo wanted to spend time with friends, seeking advice and encouragement. With Toshiro agreeing to the marriage against his will, Momo now has little time left before she changes from being single to a married adult.
So far since she had arrived, Momo had spent a long while sitting there, staring at the table with a look of depression on her face just like Toshiro.
Rangiku however, saw this sudden news in a different point of view. "Take a look ladies," she announced proudly to the other ladies, looking over at Momo, "This girl here will soon be a married woman, the wife of a 15 year old boy." Obviously she thinks Momo's soon-to-be love life is sweet and romantic and upon hearing the news that the wedding is going to be held soon, Rangiku used the opportunity to host this drinking party celebration with some friends.
Rangiku continued mesmerizing Momo's future. "Oh and pretty soon after she's married, we may even get to see some adorable kids!"
After what she said, Momo looked at Rangiku with sad puppy eyes.
"Rangiku, that's too much…" she whined, "And I thought you'd comfort me, not make me feel worse…"
"Oh relax Momo, I was only having fun," said Rangiku.
However Nanao included, "But it is true. You are the first out of all of us ladies here to be married first."
Reminded of the reason for being in a depressing mood tonight, Momo returned to facing the front and gave a deep sigh.
"I can't believe it…Me getting married…" she continued to whine, "...I'm still in college...and my husband is still a high school student. Whoever heard of a wife with a husband who's younger than her?"
"Ah cheer up!" Rangiku encouraged, "It's not everyday that a woman gets to be married! Here, this calls for a drink!" She offered Momo a cup of sake, which the girl immediately refused. "Rangiku I told you I never drink," she said, probably for the 20th time since she's known Rangiku.
"Oh you are a party pooper," Rangiku pouted, "But oh well. Here's to Momo, the new bride!"
The rest of Momo's females friends raised their glasses to toast Momo's new life. "Omedeto," they said. (Omedeto = Congratulations)
Still unhappy, Momo ignored the cup of sake that was in front of her and resumed back to her pouting. "What have we gotten ourselves into...?"
(A/N: Okay since I'm so anxious to show the good stuff about what happens after they're married in the future chapters, let's skip ahead to the big day!)
...
The big day had finally arrived for the Hitsugaya and Hinamori families. It was the day that the parents were really looking for to for a long while yet for their children, it was the day they were dreading to see. Yep, wedding day.
As expected, the couple's mothers planned everything for the wedding and reception with much excitement as their children are finally going to be married as they wanted.
For the wedding, the parents made sure to invite only friends they know and none from the school to avoid Toshiro's classmates to know of the wedding.
About an hour before the ceremony will begin, in the room where the bride is getting ready, Momo had finished putting on her dress and is waiting with a huge load of anxiety. With her is Rangiku, her maid of honor and Rukia, her bridesmaid, both who have willingly volunteered to be a part of the service.
As Momo sat in front of the mirror playing with her veil, Rangiku spent a while admiring Momo in her wedding dress. "Wow…You look so pretty," she said in awe, "Boy now I wish I was getting married."
"I don't think that'll make me feel better Rangiku," Momo said with a sad sigh.
...
Elsewhere in the lobby of the church, Toshiro was grumpy rather than excited on his own wedding day. He wore a brand new tuxedo that includes a white tailcoat, pants and shoes, a white dress shirt with a light blue vest worn over it, a black sash worn around his waist, and a light blue bow tie.
After standing for about an hour in the lobby with his parents and grandmother and Momo's parents to greet the guests with a forced smile on his face that gave him torture, Toshiro needed to be away from the crowd in a secluded area so he can release some stress that's been building up since the beginning of the day.
After finally giving himself a break from the painful smiling he had to do, Toshiro sighed heavily. "…That woman…" he moaned with frustration, "I can't believe my own mother scammed me into this." He certainly hasn't forgotten or forgiven his mother for tricking him into this wedding.
Since he's a close friend, Sojiro was invited to the wedding as well and wore his own suit for the occasion. He was standing beside Toshiro as he listened to the groom complain.
"Well she sure got you there I'll say," Sojiro couldn't resist saying, with an amused smile while Toshiro shot him an icy stare, "But hey, at least smile a little. This is your own wedding remember?"
Despite Sojiro's encouragement, Toshiro couldn't find the reason or the will to liven up his gloomy expression and kept a frown on his face.
Then Sojiro brought up something that is sort of off the topic. "And get this, who would've thought that they had arranged for your honeymoon to take place exactly on the day of the class's trip?"
That was something Toshiro had almost forgotten until Sojiro brought it up now. After being hit with realization, Toshiro nearly slapped his head hard with his own hand to the forehead. "Oh crud you're right...the field trip..." He gave a groan as he ran his hand through his hair. "Geez...how am I going to explain to the teacher that I can't go tomorrow because I'm going on a freaking honeymoon?!"
The field trip Toshiro is talking about is for his and Sojiro's class. The whole class was told that they will be touring some mountain for experience and a time to let off some pressure before tests come. And to be reminded of this event that he has to miss, Toshiro had completely forgotten about telling his teacher about the reason for his absence on that day.
But fortunately at the right moment, Jushiro came to give good news. "Don't worry," his father reassured, "Principal Yamamoto has spoken with your teacher earlier and said that you are excused for a family business. Your coach was also informed so you don't have to worry about practice on that as well."
This brought a little shed of relief to Toshiro that he gave a small grin at the corner of his mouth. "Thanks Dad."
Jushiro patted his son's head and went off to greet more guests at the front while Toshiro returned to his sulking.
"Hey Toshiro, you could've at least tell the guys on the soccer team about this? I'm sure they would've like to come and see your wedding," Sojiro insisted while they were on the subject of the soccer team.
"Absolutely not," Toshiro said firmly, "If they find out, then the whole school finds out. And if the whole school finds out, then I'll be the laughing stock of the entire school."
"Okay, you got a point there," said Sojiro, nodding in agreement.
Filled with too much pressure since one, he's going to be married in any moment now, and two, he'll be now carrying a huge secret from his school and half of society that he's a married man on his shoulders, Toshiro is now pushed to the point where he will make a last minute desperate act to end all this.
"That's it...I have no other choice," he declared. He then turned to give Sojiro a firm, serious look. "Sojiro...you're the only one who can do this. I need you to do it."
Sojiro only showed confusion as Toshiro got off his seat and sat his right foot on the spot where he was sitting so his leg was propped up.
"Huh? Do what? What are you doing?" the taller boy asked.
With his eyes fixed on his leg, Toshiro spoke, "...Do it right here...I need you to break my leg."
Sojiro immediately reacted with disbelief. "Huh?! But Toshiro-!" he protested.
"There's not much time," Toshiro cut him off, sounding urgent, "You can do it if you kick it directly at my kneecap hard as how you do in soccer practice. At least by doing that, I can't do this wedding with a busted leg. Now hurry up and do it."
Of course Sojiro obviously has no intention of injuring his friend, especially on the most important day of his life. He was reluctant and unwilling to do such thing.
"Toshiro, you've got to hold yourself together!" he urged, grabbing his friend's shoulders and giving Toshiro a shake, "You want to break your leg that badly? Well how are you going to explain to Coach and the team once you return to practice later? I'm sure Coach will be upset to see his best forward with a broken leg."
What Sojiro said managed to convince Toshiro to rethink his plan. "Yes...You're right. Then there's one other way..." he began, "I'll just have to make a run for it."
Sojiro couldn't believe hearing his friend eagerly planning to get cold feet. But before he or Toshiro could say anything more, they were halted when the boys saw Miyuki come over with her camera up and ready and went in front of the boys saying, "Alright boys, smile!"
Dropping what Toshiro was about to do before Miyuki showed up, both boys looked at the camera and pretended that nothing happened. Sojiro had a smile on, but Toshiro didn't have the enthusiasm to even smile and merely frowned. The reason why is because he is never a fan when it comes to taking photos of him and also because he's feeling quite depressed about this day.
"Hey, what's with the frown?" Miyuki complained, not satisfied when she saw her brother's face, "Come on, liven up a bit Shiro! It's your wedding day!"
"That's the thing," Toshiro mumbled.
Naomi then came over and patted Miyuki on the shoulder. "Alright Miyuki, why don't you go inside and take pictures of the guests?" she suggested, "Sojiro dear, why don't you go with her too?"
"Yes ma'm," said Sojiro, "See you inside Toshiro."
Toshiro gave a small grunt to respond as Sojiro got up and followed Miyuki into the wedding hall.
Naomi then sat herself beside her son and took a while to view him and pat invisible dust off his suit. "Now don't go getting cold feet on me now Toshiro," his mother instructed, "You don't want to disappoint your bride now right?"
"I cannot do this," Toshiro said plainly, "There's no way I can do this when I'm not even in my 20s. I'm just going to say in front of everyone during the ceremony that I can't do it."
It sounded as easy as that, but Naomi wasn't going to let her son get away with it that easily. "Now don't you get cold feet on me now Toshiro Hitsugaya," she said, firmly as any mother would, "Your grandmother has waited a long time for this time to come and you want to crush it all like that and break her heart?"
There it is, Toshiro thought, Mom used the guilt card on him. Reminded of how anxious his grandmother was to see his and Momo's grandfather's promise finally fulfilled, it proved impossible for Toshiro to call off the wedding.
He gave a heavy sigh of defeat and reluctantly mumbled, "I have no choice do I...?"
Pleased that Toshiro has accepted his defeat, Naomi brought her son for a big hug and letting out a delighted squeal. "Oh my baby boy is becoming a man!" she can finally and proudly say, "Mother is so proud of you Shiro!"
"Mom…stop squeezing me!" Toshiro yelled, nearly getting choked by his mother's tight embrace.
However a new thought came into Toshiro's mind. "On second thought, maybe if I'm lucky, she should just suffocate me so I'll pass out and won't be able to do the wedding."
Unfortunately Toshiro's hopes have failed. Because a while later, the ceremony was ready to begin, and he was still conscious and in perfect condition.
Everyone is now seated and the MC of the wedding came to the podium and spoke in the mic. "At this moment, we will have the bridal party enter. The groom will now enter first. Everyone please applaud as he walks in," the announcer spoke.
Everyone in the audience turned to watch the groom with applause filling the chapel. From his end, Toshiro gulped as he began walking alone down the aisle first. He felt much uncomfortable to be walking down and receiving large applause and comments from the audience as he passed by them.
"Darn it...I can't believe I'm doing this," he thought uncomfortably.
As he continued walking down the aisle, Toshiro took a short glance to the side and saw his sister and Sojiro among the audience, giving him a thumb up and mouthed "Good luck" before passing them.
...
Some time later, after the groom and the bridal party had entered and stood at their places in front of the chapel, the MC now spoke, "And now, let us all stand as the bride will now enter."
The organ began playing 'Here Comes the Bride' as everyone in the audience rose to their feet.
From the front, Toshiro gulped as the doors to the chapel opened so the woman who he'll be spending the rest of his life with slowly entered.
Many in the audience were in awe as they watched Momo walking down the aisle slowly with her father by her side, walking her down the aisle. From where he is, even Toshiro couldn't help but feel some kind of warming feeling inside as he looked at Momo in her wedding dress.
Pretty soon it came to the point where he was thinking such awkward thoughts in his mind.
"Wow...She does look rather pretty...Wait! What am I thinking?!" he mentally thought, "Get a hold of yourself Toshiro! You're doing this because you were forced to do so!"
He tried to mentally shake the thought out of his head until Momo reached the front. Her father now handed Momo over to her fiancé and the two linked arms and faced the pastor.
"We are all gathered here today to witness the glorious union of Toshiro Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori," he began.
And while the pastor continued the usual wedding speech, Toshiro and Momo continued looking ahead, both too shy to even look at each other. But once in a while, Toshiro or Momo would take a quick glance at the other but quickly resume attention to the front.
Heart thumping, few drops of sweat building on his brow, Toshiro thought the speech would never end, but finally, the pastor came to the vows, the climatic part of the ceremony.
"Do you Toshiro Hitsugaya, take Momo Hinamori to be your lawfully wedded wife, and be true to her in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
While he waited for the groom's answer, Toshiro felt his heart thumping hard against his chest and he nearly felt like he just lost his voice. A drop of sweat can be felt traveling down the side of his head. In his head, he just want to just say no so eagerly and willingly just as he wanted. However the face of his grandmother requesting him to marry Momo on that day appeared in his mind. His mother's reminder earlier before the ceremony about how much his grandmother anticipated for this day to come also wouldn't leave his mind.
As much as Toshiro wanted to say no, he then finally broke the suspense. He gulped and took a deep breath.
"I...I do."
Then the pastor turned and faced the bride and asked her the same question he had asked Toshiro.
Momo faced the same feeling Toshiro felt when asked this important question and took a little while before she answered. "...I do."
Here, the mothers of the couple have became teary eyed with joy.
Now with the bride and groom having to accept the vows, they proceeded with the ring exchange. And after they both placed a ring on each other's fingers, the pastor finally said, "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
The audience applauded for the new wedded couple as the music began playing once again. Toshiro then held out his arm for Momo to link her arm with and gave an expression that said, "Let's get this over with."
Momo gave a small smile as she linked her arm with Toshiro again and the two began their walk down the aisle together. As they walked, many of Momo's college friends cheered and tossed confetti in the air that showered upon the couple as they headed out the door.
When the wedding was finally over, it was time to send the couple off on their honeymoon. Both bride and groom were dressed in casual clothes and went outside with their families. Now neither one of them knows where their honeymoon will be, but they do know that their parents must've planned something. All they got from their parents when asking is that they'll be spending 2 days and 1 night at a special place.
"Mom are you even going to tell us where Momo and I will be going?" Toshiro asked for the 3rd time. Unfortunately like the previous times he's asked the same question, Naomi shook her head. "Nope! Don't want to spoil the surprise now do we?" she said playfully with a sly smile and a wink that Toshiro didn't feel comfortable with.
"On second thought...maybe I don't want to know what she has in mind..." he thought.
Now Jushiro and Tatsuya came to Toshiro to say some things to him. "Now you two have fun," said Jushiro pleasantly, "It is your honeymoon after all."
Toshiro scoffed. "You guys forced me to do this wedding in the first place," he muttered, "I doubt that I'll have fun. Can't we just skip the honeymoon part?" He anxiously hoped that someone would say yes.
But unfortunately it wasn't going to happen. "Now young man, don't be rude," Tatsuya reminded fatherly, "Your mother and mother-in-law prepared hard to plan this honeymoon for you and Momo, don't let it go to waste."
Unwilling to get into a long lecture with his new father-in-law, Toshiro heavily sighed.
At the same time, the mothers wanted to say a few last words with Momo. "Now Momo, make sure to have a good time with Shiro," Naomi encouraged. Momo smiled and nodded. "Yes Aunt Naomi," she replied.
"Nuh uh, you can't call her that now," Miyako corrected, "You have to call her 'Mother' as well."
"Oh," said Momo in realization, then she looked at Naomi again and said, "Yes, Mother."
Toshiro then came to Momo's side and tapped her arm. "Oi, let's get going already," he said nonchalantly, "I want to get this over with." He certainly is impatient to get through the honeymoon as fast as he can.
"Alright, I'm coming," Momo responded.
After the two said good bye to their family and friends, Toshiro and Momo climbed into a taxi that will take the two to their honeymoon place. "Have a safe trip!" Miyako called out. Momo waved to their parents before climbing in the car first. Before he got in the car, Toshiro got a pat on the back from Sojiro and bid him a quick good-bye then got in and closed the door after him.
In his seat, Toshiro laid back so he looked like he wants to take a nap. "They could've at least let us know where we're going for our honeymoon," he said under his breath. "Well our mothers said that it is going to be a great surprise," said Momo, "There's no need to hurry."
"Yeah yeah..." Toshiro mumbled.
A long taxi cab ride later, the suspension was over, Toshiro and Momo arrived at the place where their honeymoon will take place, and it was someplace that the couple didn't expected. Once Momo woke Toshiro up after he fell asleep during the ride, the boy looked out and saw a rather unpleasing sight.
"I can't believe our moms booked us a night at a hot springs resort," Toshiro grumbled.
Yes like he said, they were at a hot springs resort somewhere near the mountain. They were now getting settled in their room for the night, and of course, there was only one bedroom. (But thankfully to Toshiro's relief, they will be sleeping in separate futons.) Toshiro was standing outside the balcony, staring out at the view with his chin resting on the railing and still acting gloomy.
After putting some of her clothes in the dresser, Momo then spoke to get Toshiro's attention. "Hey Toshiro, what do you want to do tomorrow? I saw from the brochure that there's a nice hiking trail to the mountain, where there's a temple on top. Want to try that?"
All Toshiro did in response was a grunt, a sign that he isn't interested.
"Hey, can I at least have a yes or no answer from you?" Momo requested.
Toshiro now came back inside and sat on a cushion at the low table and spoke this time, "...I'd rather stay here for the entire honeymoon until we go home."
Planning to spend the whole day in the hotel room as he stated, Toshiro picked up a book that he brought with him and started reading in peace. However Momo wanted to get him more involved with things she had in mind.
So she tried to get his participation again. "You know I bet at the top of the mountain it'll be a great place to watch the sunset tomorrow," she said, "Remember how we always watched the sunset when we were little Lil' Shiro?"
Again, Toshiro showed no interest and had his eyes still glued to his book. "So?" he said dully, "We've seen plenty of sunsets. And to be frank, I'm in no mood to doing outdoor stuff while we're here."
Momo gave a sigh and was disappointed that her plan to get him physically active failed. But just when she was about to call it quits, Momo came up with an idea. "Alright. Since we're here, why don't we do that then?" she suggested.
Toshiro looked up from his book and gave her a puzzled expression. "Eh?"
...
"Hey let go! I told you I'm not going!"
Toshiro continued to protest as Momo dragged him by his sleeve down the hallways of the resort. Both of them are dressed in yukatas that the resort provided and heading to the onsen. But immediately after Momo insisted they go there, Toshiro has refused to go but was still dragged out of their room by Momo.
"Oh don't be a baby Toshiro," Momo said like a parent would, "Since we're here at a hot springs resort, we may as well enjoy the attractions they have here."
"How can you enjoy it when we were forced to be married in the first place?" Toshiro retorted, "At the very least, I'll do whatever I please during this honeymoon!"
"What is wrong with hot springs that you don't like?"
"I hate places with heat remember?" Toshiro reminded, continued to try and pull his arm out of Momo's grasp, "Or have you forgotten the time I fainted that one time we went to the onsen because it was just too hot and steamy that one time?"
"Ah yes, I remember," Momo remarked with a laugh, having a short moment of nostalgia, "You still act the same as always when we were little. Every time our moms wanted to visit the hot springs and brought us along, you'd always complain as well back then."
"That's because I had to get dragged into the womens' bath as well that time because my mom didn't want me to go in the mens' bath by myself! Now you're trying to humiliate me again and make me pass out in there!" He tried pulling his arm out of Momo's grip but again proved a failure.
"Of course not! Come on Toshiro, it's our honeymoon. You should have time to relax and enjoy the resort," Momo encouraged, still not taking her hand off his arm as she continued to lead the way to the hot springs.
Relax was not what Toshiro is expecting to do at the hot springs. But unfortunately for Toshiro they have reached the entrance to the hot springs and saw two separate doorways for each gender to go through. "Okay Shiro, I'm going in this one," said Momo, pointing to the doorway that's labeled 'Women's Onsen' on the top, "You go through that one."
Toshiro scoffed but realize that he might as well go in and get it over with since he's here. He sullenly walked towards the doorway labeled 'Men's Onsen'. But just before he could walk in, he was noticed by the lady at the desk.
"Excuse me young man, I'm sorry but you can't go in there," she said to him.
Confused, Toshiro stopped and faced the desk lady and asked, "Huh? Why not?"
Momo was about to walk into the entrance leading to the women's baths when she heard the desk lady speaking to Toshiro and stopped to listen.
The lady then said, "I'm sorry but it's our policy. Children cannot go into the hot springs alone unless they're with a parent or guardian."
Those words that Toshiro dare not want to hear ever again struck him hard as if it was some words of offense he was hit with. He had assumed that right now he'd be ready and capable to go in the Mens' bath by himself at his age. "Excuse me?" he questioned, trying to keep his temper at bay, "Hey I may not look like it, but I am in high school!"
Hearing the problem, Momo knew she has to avoid him exploding out in anger. That was when she got a perfect solution. "Excuse me," she said to the lady, "I'm a friend of his. If going in on his own is a problem, then he can come with me into the women's bath."
Toshiro gasped in shock, never expecting Momo to suggest such a thing. "What?! There's no way I'll-!"
But his protest was unheard when the lady at the desk smiled then said, "Oh then that's alright. Enjoy your time at the hot springs!" Apparently since Momo appears to be older and responsible, she trusts Momo to take care of Toshiro.
However this was all the more reason for Toshiro to refuse going in. "Oh no! You're not getting me in there!" he immediately protested, "Are you insane?! I'm a male! I'm perfectly old enough to be on my own!"
"Well there's no other way," Momo said nonetheless, "Rules are rules. Come on!"
And before he could protest again, Momo wrapped her arms around his waist and dragged him towards the entrance to the women's bath while Toshiro struggled to break free.
"No! Stop! Let go of me! I'm not going in there! Momo!" he retorted but his efforts to run weren't effective.
Very Much Later...
After a much unpleasant time in the hot spring, Toshiro sat in their room with a frown on his face still.
"...I can't believe I went through that..." he moaned mentally, "Going into the women's bath...How humiliating...Well at least our parents weren't with us this time...If Mom sees this, I might never hear the end of it..."
While in the bath, he had a horrible time sitting in the hot springs while several females were staring at him since he's the only male present. Some were giggling in amusement while some whispered comments he does not want to even know about. And the worse part is that he and everyone else was naked so he made perfectly sure to sit with his entire lower half of his body under the steamy water.
Momo even took the time to clean his back, much to his reluctance. He shuddered upon remembering the feeling of Momo touching and scrubbing his bare back in the hot springs.
"Toshiro, are you okay?" Momo's voice brought him out of his thinking, "You're not still upset are you?"
At this moment, he and Momo were now eating dinner that was brought to their room. From her question just now, Toshiro gave an unsatisfied frown.
"And what if I am?"
Knowing that he's still mopey since the hot springs, Momo sighed. "It wasn't that bad you know Toshiro," she said, "Just think of it like old times when the both of us had to take a bath together back then."
Toshiro nearly gagged on the sushi he was just eating but swallowed it without any damage. "That was when I was like 5!" he retorted, "And how would you know if it's not that bad? I was practically the only male being surrounded by females! It was absolutely humiliating!"
He then returned his attention to the side, muttering something in-distinctive to himself. While he wasn't looking, Momo only smiled in amusement, thinking back at the memories when they were kids that reminded her of today.
"He still hasn't changed since then hasn't he?"
Then finished with her meal, Momo put her chopsticks down and got up. "I'm going to go clean myself up. I think it's time we head to bed soon afterwards," she said, "Make sure to let the staff in when they come to take the dishes okay Toshiro?"
Toshiro waved her off and mumbled, "Yeah yeah..."
With that, Momo left the room to go to the bathroom, leaving Toshiro by himself. After she is gone, Toshiro looked like he was having a deep thought about something serious. Something that he doesn't want to tell Momo about.
...
...
Sometime during the night, Momo was fast asleep in her futon. Both she and Toshiro are in the same bedroom but are sleeping in separate futons.
But while she's sleeping, someone was up and gathering his things back in his duffel bag quietly so she wouldn't wake up.
Without turning on the light and relying on moonlight that's shining through the window, Toshiro had gotten up in the middle of the night and is now dressed to go out. He had finished packing up his belongings and zipped his bag closed.
"I've had enough of this honeymoon," he stated in a whisper, "There's no way I can do this anymore."
And for the last thing he needed to do before he forgets, Toshiro left beside Momo's futon an envelope with a note that he had just wrote inside, addressed to Momo. He took a moment to look at Momo and made sure she was still sleeping.
Then he picked up his bag and quietly got up and walked across the room to the door. Before he left, he turned and took one last look at his wife who is still sleeping. He does have a bit of guilt inside him for doing this, but he already made his decision.
"Sorry Momo..."
And with that, Toshiro opened the door and left, leaving the room quiet and dark once again.
Author's Note:
Uh-oh. Where is Toshiro off to in the middle of their honeymoon?
Sorry if it felt like I rushed through the chapter. I had difficulty writing this because I don't know all the details about weddings and honeymoon traditions.
Maybe if I have time I'll write a separate one-shot, an extended version of this chapter some time in the future. But I hope the scene with the hot spring trouble was enjoyable. I couldn't help but add in the part about Toshiro not allowed to go in because of his child appearance after recalling the anime omake when Rangiku brought Toshiro to Shinigami Health Land. That omake made me laugh. *snickers
Stay tuned for Chapter 5, where we see how this honeymoon plays out for the lovebirds!
Oh and one more thing, if you're a HitsuHina fan (which I'm sure you are if you are reading this fanfic!) and if you have a Facebook account, then feel free to join the HitsuHina Fan Club. I have joined and the club page has awesome members and tons of pics and you'll be able to share HitsuHina related news or comments. So go on and join!