Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Bleach series in any way. All copyrights go to Tite Kubo. I do own is my OCs.
Author's Note: Thank you all for reading the previous chapter. Special thanks goes to xMidnight-Spiritx and eye of destruction who reviewed. Without any further delay, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
LEGEND
"Talking." "Thinking. / Dreaming. / Flash Back." Character Narration.
After Years Apart
Chapter Four: The Never Forgotten Day
"Will I ever see you again?"
"I don't know."
Suddenly holding out his dragon plushy to her, she asked, "Your Hyorinmaru."
"Keep it, but promise me that when you come back, you'll find me," he said. "I'll wait for you here."
Smiling at the three year old boy, she accepted his gift and rewarded him with a soft kiss on his forehead. "You're so sweet. Arigato."
"Momo-chan! It's time to go!" her mother called out.
"Hai Okaa-san!" she replied before turning back to him. "Well, it's time for me to go."
Slowly nodding with agreement, the boy watched her get into the car. Rolling down the window shield, the girl put her face out and started waving him good bye. As the car drove away, he suddenly started running after her. "Don't forget me! Always remember the house that has the peach tree, Tobiume!"
"I won't! I'll miss you!"
"Bye! See you soon!"
"Yeah! I promise I'll come back to you! Just you wait!!!"
By the time he ran out of breath, the boy watched the girl disappear from his life. "Good bye Momo..."
"Toshiro, don't worry so much. She'll come back soon," his mother said as the boy turned around to walk to his waiting parents.
"When is soon?" he asked.
"I'm not sure."
"I miss her already."
"I know Toshiro, I know," she said as she bent down to his level to give him a warm hug.
"Let's go home now okay Toshiro?" his father said.
Slowly nodding with agreement, the three year old child held onto each of his parents' hands and started walking home. By the time they got there, all he remembered was the loud honking noise of a truck and himself in a pool of his parents' blood. "Okaa-san! Oto-san!" the boy called out as he tried to shake them awake. "SOMEONE HELP THEM!"
His emerald-teal eyes shot opened as he quickly sat up in bed, panting and sweating from the nightmare. Placing a hand to cover the right side of his face, Hitsugaya began taking deep breaths before calming down. "It's only a nightmare..." he said before he pulled the blanket sheet off of to the side, allowing him to get out of bed.
Headed towards the window, he opened the blinds to see the peach tree standing there with the gentle breeze of the wind ruffling through its leaves and fruit. Thoughts about the departure as he calls it only gave him the feelings of bitter sorrows. Sighing with defeat, he walked to his dresser drawer, pulled out a few pieces of clothing and headed over to the washroom to take a cold shower.
AFTERNOON, HINAMORI'S HOUSE
Hitsugaya pressed the button on her doorbell to alert the Hinamori family to answer the door. He could hear the running footsteps of the raven haired girl coming to the door. By the time she opened the door, Hinamori said, "Ah, Hitsugaya-kun. I was expecting you."
Ruffling through the back of his white hair, the young prodigy looked away from her gaze. "Yeah," Hitsugaya replied. "Um, where are your parents?"
"Ah, they couldn't make it. They said that they have to work overtime, but they do send their regards."
"I see. Well, umm...let's get going."
"Yeah..."
WALKING TO THE GRAVE CITE
As Obaa-san was watching the two teenagers walking side by side, she hoped for Hinamori to somehow brighten up his mood. Hinamori on the other hand, didn't need Obaa-san to tell her that. Just by looking at the white haired boy, she could tell something's slightly different about him. It seems like he's feeling somewhat depressed at the moment. "Um, can I ask you something?" she asked.
"Hn?" he replied.
"Why me out of all people?"
It was when he stopped taking another step. Stopping with him, Hinamori suddenly continued, "You don't have to answer that question if you don't want to Hitsugaya-kun. I'm sorry for asking you such a weird question."
"I really don't know," he finally replied.
"You don't know?" Hinamori repeated as the two resumed walking.
"Even though we only have known each other for a few weeks, it feels like I've known you for a long time."
"Souka?"
"For some reason, I felt like telling a lot of my personal matters to you."
"I guess it's because we're becoming closer friends, right Hitsugaya-kun?"
"Maybe..."
"So um, about your parents...if you don't mind me asking."
"The day when she left my life is also the day when my parents died."
No wonder he pushes everyone away; he's trying to be strong on his own. "Oh...I'm sorry about that."
"It's okay. As we were going home, a truck just happened to pass by. The driver probably didn't notice us and continued driving. Then they were hit. As for me, I was protected by their bodies and managed to survive somehow."
"That's such a terrible thing that happened to them."
"I know. Maybe that's why I'm waiting for her; I wanted to tell her about this incident so that she can help me feel better."
"Hitsugaya-kun suffered all this time," Hinamori thought. "For ten years, he waited for her and in the process, he's been coping with the loss of his parents. That's so much to handle even for him. No wonder he didn't have a lot of time to make friends. He had to grow up so quickly to support his Obaa-san."
THE GRAVE SITE
After a long moment of praying in silence, Hitsugaya turned to the raven haired girl and said, "About before, thanks for listening Hinamori."
"It's really nothing," Hinamori replied. "I'm just glad to be a part of this. You know, getting to know your family better."
"Hn."
"Why don't we eat now?" Obaa-san asked as she held out a box of homemade meat buns. "It's dinner time already."
Smiling at the elderly woman, Hitsugaya and Hinamori each took one and thanked her. Sitting in front of his parents' graves, the three ate dinner together. "Mmm, it's delicious," Hinamori said. "Obaa-san, did you make this?"
"Yes I did Momo," Obaa-san said. "It feels good to cook for once."
"Hai."
"When Toshiro was younger, he wasn't responsible at all. He was rather a child like everyone else. Then again, it's probably her who made him that way."
"Her?"
"I'm sure he told you about her. The girl he was waiting for."
"Oh..."
"She would always pull him away from us to go off on their adventures on their own; from the backyard to the park. They would always come back late in the day all dirty and exhausted. After a good night rest, they would start that cycle all over again. It always happens right after she finished school. Toshiro would always wait for her."
"Obaa-san, you make it sound like I loved her," Hitsugaya said.
"But you did. I remember during dinner with her family and ours, you said to her that you loved her and always will no matter what."
Feeling the burn in his cheeks, Hitsugaya said as he heard Hinamori giggle, "Obaa-san, I was a child back then! Hinamori!"
"Ah gomen Hitsugaya-kun," Hinamori said. "I think it's cute."
"Tch..." he retorted as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"You sounded so serious at the time too," Obaa-san said.
"Can we get going now?" Hitsugaya said as he stood up from his seat. "We've been here long enough. The sun's about to set. Hinamori's parents told me to bring her back before five."
"Oh alright then Toshiro, let's go," Obaa-san said as she slowly stood up.
"Let me help you Obaa-san," Hinamori said as she walked along side Hitsugaya's grandmother.
"Arigato Momo, you're so sweet," she replied.
"Hai..."
HITSUGAYA'S HOUSE
"I'll take Hinamori home," Hitsugaya said to Obaa-san.
"Alright then, have a safe trip," she said as she waved good bye.
"I'm only going to be next door."
With that said, he and Hinamori left to walk over to her house. "You know you don't have to walk me home," Hinamori said.
"I know, but your parents gave me a call last night," Hitsugaya replied.
"My parents did?"
"Yeah, they wanted me to watch over you and make sure that I escort you home."
"Ah, I see."
"However, your parents are rather strange."
"Strange?"
"They were giggling in between our conversation."
"I heard Toshiro-kun invited you to see his parents," Ms. Hinamori said.
"Really? That boy must be comfortable around you by now," Mr. Hinamori added.
"I guess...besides, we're only friends," Hinamori replied.
"Hm, maybe their relationship might bloom if this keeps up," Ms. Hinamori said.
"Eh? You mean you think he's slowly falling for her?!" Mr. Hinamori exclaimed. "That's fantastic!"
"But Okaa-san...Oto-san. Hitsugaya-kun and I just met," Hinamori said.
"Nonsense. I think the reason he asked you out is to go out on a date."
"Mou..."
"Ah, don't worry about my parents," Hinamori said. "They just thought we both are interested in each other."
"Oh..." Hitsugaya replied. "Come to think of it, Obaa-san has been happy about me hanging around Hinamori."
"Well, thanks for walking me here," Hinamori said as they arrived at the front doorstep.
"It's nothing."
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow at school."
"Yeah."
"Good night Hitsugaya-kun."
"Night Hinamori," Hitsugaya said as he slowly left the premises.
After watching him leave the front yard, Hinamori smiled and entered the house. "I'm home Okaa-san, Oto-san!"
AN HOUR LATER, HITSUGAYA'S HOUSE
Obaa-san picked up the ringing phone and answered the call. At the time, Hitsugaya just finished taking a shower. "Obaa-san, the bath's ready," Hitsugaya said as he was drying the side of his hair with the towel.
"Ah, hai...hai. I understand. I'll send him over right now," Obaa-san said before she hung up the phone.
"What's wrong Obaa-san?"
"Toshiro, can you pick up Momo from the Kurosaki clinic?" she asked.
"Kurosaki's place? What is she doing over here?"
"Apparently, her parents got into a terrible car accident and died while they were at the clinic."
Suddenly, he felt his heart skip a beat. It's like a re-run of a terrible movie; this time, the events has happened to her.
KUROSAKI CLINIC
By the time he arrived, all changed, he found Kurosaki sitting along side the crying Hinamori in the waiting room, patting her on the back. "Hinamori..." Hitsugaya said.
Hearing the sound of his voice, Hinamori slowly looked up at the concerned white haired boy. She couldn't hide it from him. He already saw her in this condition. She suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and started crying loudly on his shoulder as she called out his name. "Hitsugaya-kun!"
He honestly didn't know what to say or do. Looking up to see Kurosaki standing in front of them, Hitsugaya asked, "When?"
"About an hour ago," Ichigo replied. "I tried getting in contact with Momo, but apparently she wasn't at home."
"She went to my parents' graves...that's why."
"It's my fault," Hinamori said. "If I didn't go with you Hitsugaya-kun, none of this would have happened!"
Closing his eyes, Hitsugaya started slowly rubbing her back and forth with his free hand while the other is supporting her. "It's not your fault Hinamori. None of us would have ever known something like this would happen. Stop blaming yourself."
"Momo, do you have any relatives living here to stay at?" Ichigo asked.
Hinamori slowly shook her head. "Not that I know of..." After that, she once again resumed her waterworks on the young prodigy's shoulder.
"Is that so?"
"She's just like me now. She doesn't have parents taking care of her," Hitsugaya thought.
He wanted to do something to help her. Usually, he wouldn't even try to waste his time assisting others, but for some reason, she's a special case. "Obaa-san and I will take her in."
"Eh, seriously Toshiro?" Ichigo asked as Hinamori stopped crying to look at Hitsugaya.
"Hitsugaya-kun, you don't hav--" Hinamori said before she was interrupted.
"It's okay Hinamori. It's the least I can do. Besides, your parents took care of Obaa-san while I'm not in the house."
"He's so nice to me," Hinamori thought. How lucky she can be? "Hitsugaya-kun...arigato."
"Thank me later. Now it's time to go and rest for the night."
"Hai..."
"Oi Toshiro," Ichigo called out to the two teenagers who were about to leave the place.
"What is it?" Hitsugaya asked after he half turned to the orange haired teenager.
"Thanks for being generous."
"Tch, remember there's soccer practice tomorrow," he said as he walked home with Hinamori.
"Aw, Toshiro!" Ichigo exclaimed as he placed his hands on his hips. "Man, how annoying. Once he puts his shield down for one second, he freezes you up again."
HITSUGAYA'S HOUSE
"We're home Obaa-san," Hitsugaya said as they both took off their shoes and entered the house.
"Toshiro, Momo," Obaa-san said as she entered the front entrance.
"Hinamori's going to live with us if that's okay with you?"
"Of course, Momo...you're always welcomed here."
"Hai arigato," Hinamori said.
"We have a spare room for you to slee--" Hitsugaya said before he was interrupted by the sudden tugging on his shirt.
"Is it okay to sleep with you for the night?" Hinamori asked.
"Hinamori."
Looking away from the raven haired girl, Hitsugaya replied, "Okay then. It's just for tonight."
"Arigato..." Hinamori quietly thanked.
"Let's go to my room then."
HITSUGAYA'S BEDROOM
"Here's some night clothes you can wear," Hitsugaya said as he threw her a shirt and a pair of pants onto his bed, next to her. "I'm sure they will fit you because they don't fit me."
"Hai..." Hinamori said.
Noticing Hinamori's depressing mood, Hitsugaya sat down next to her and said, "Try to get some sleep."
"I know that," Hinamori said, "but it's so hard to deal with."
"I've been through that before," Hitsugaya said as he pulled her closer to him. Her head is now resting on his neck while his hand is gently placed on her soft raven hair. "I had a hard time eating and sleeping during the first few days without them."
"Thank you Hitsugaya-kun for everything."
"It's nothing Hinamori, go and get changed in the washroom while I change here," he said, letting the older girl to move freely once more.
"Hai..." Hinamori said as she picked up the clothes and left the room.
By the time she came back, Hitsugaya was setting up a second futon next to his. Once he finished, he crawled into his bed while Hinamori crawled into hers. "Hitsugaya-kun..." Hinamori said.
"Hm?" Hitsugaya asked.
"Thanks for looking out for me."
"Enough with the thank yous Hinamori. Go to sleep already."
"Ah, hai. Good night."
"Night."
Even though it is her first night without her parents, Hinamori still manages to fall into deep slumber. Maybe, just maybe her friend, Hitsugaya had something to do with it. "Arigato Hitsugaya-kun."
References
Arigato - Thank you
Hai - Yes
Okaa-san - Mother
Oto-san - Father
Obaa-san - Grandmother
Souka - Is that so
Gomen - Sorry
AznVKai: And that's the AU version of how Momo got to live with Toshiro and his grandmother. Hm, now that they're living with one another, it's only a matter of time until they remember that they're childhood friends. Please review and I'll be back next week with another chapter. Thanks.
Chapter Five Preview: My Sister, My Brother
"Ah look at this! It's so cute!"
Turning to where Matsumoto is, she saw her hugging a familiar object in her possession against her chest. "Wow kawaii," Orihime said. "What a cute dragon plushy."
"That's Hyorinmaru," Hinamori replied.
"Hyorinmaru, awww...what a cool name for a cute dragon plushy," Matsumoto said. "Who gave this to you?"
"A friend of mine."
"Friend? You mean your boyfriend or something?"
"Ah no, he's just a friend. The unfortunate thing is I don't remember his name or what he looks like."
"Since when did you have this?"
"I think it's about ten years ago."