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: Wow, so many reviews! I would like to thank you all for your support! Special thanks goes to Lil' Evil Angel, Kinaia, xMidnight-Spiritx, eye of destruction, sara, Janet, Tyreal777, IzumiHyuuga, and FrozenIceCream for reviewing! (Virtual cookies for you all. Yum!) Without any further adieu, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking. / Dreaming. / Flash Back." Character Narration.

After Years Apart

Chapter Six: All the way from America

"Shiro-chan," Momo said. "Why do you carry that plush toy with you all the time?"

"Ojii-san gave it to me," the little boy replied as he held onto the dragon plushy tightly in his arms. "He passed away when I was still a baby."

"Souka, does it have a name?"

"Yeah, it's called Hyorinmaru."

"Hyorinmaru? Wow, for someone like you, you're able to pronounce complicated names without a problem."

"Oto-san said that I'm a young genius or something."

"A prodigy?"

"Yeah..."

"I see."

"Why can't I be a normal child like you?"

"Oh come on Shiro-chan, it's not that bad being smart."

"Easy for you to say; my parents expect a lot from me. They keep telling all their friends about my achievements."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. It can't be helped that they are proud of you."

"Maybe a little too proud."

"Don't be so negative Shiro-chan. Ah, I know. Let's make a promise."

"A promise?"

"To always love yourself for who you are."

"What kind of a promise is that?"

"Just promise okay?"

"Ah hai..."

"Speaking of love, who do you have someone you love?"

"My parents...Obaa-san...there's also you."

"Me?"

"Yeah, you're my closest friend."

"Aww, that's so sweet Shiro-chan."

"Even though we're just kids, I have a feeling that we're going to be very close."

"Close?"

"Yep."

"Close as in someday we'll get married to each other?"

"Hn, maybe who knows. Ha, wait a minute, how do you know stuff like that?"

"Oto-san and Okaa-san keeps telling me to marry you someday when I grow up."

"They're pretty pushy parents, aren't they?"

"Yeah, they are sometimes. I even wonder why I'm related to them."

"You said it; the same is with my parents."

Opening his emerald-teal eyes, Hitsugaya slowly sat up from his futon, taking a deep breath. "Another dream..." he said before he turned to the sleeping raven haired girl sleeping peacefully next to him.

It has been two weeks since Hinamori started living with the Hitsugaya family. Though she has her own room, he sometimes wonder why she keeps sleeping with him. Is it because this room's warmer than hers? The fact that he's sleeping with a girl is supposed to bother him, but for some reason, he doesn't seem to mind if Hinamori's the one sleeping with him.

"Shiro-chan..." she muttered in her sleep.

Turning to the plush toy that is wrapped in her arms, Hitsugaya said, "Tch, she really does still sleep with her plushies."

As he was getting out of bed, something just came into his thoughts. Suddenly stopping to take another look at the blue dragon plushy, all the memories started coming back to him. "Hyorinmaru, Momo..."

BREAKFAST

"Good morning Obaa-san," Hinamori said as she entered the living room to see her eating breakfast. "Eh? Where's Hitsugaya-kun?"

"He's outside watering the peach tree," she replied.

"Huh, doesn't he have soccer practice this morning?"

"Not today."

"Oh...did he eat breakfast yet?"

"Not yet."

"Okay then, I'll go out and give it to him," Hinamori said as she carried the plate of meat buns and went outside.

OUTSIDE

"Oi Hitsugaya-kun!" Hinamori called out to the white haired boy who is watering the peach tree.

"Hinamori," Hitsugaya said as he half turned towards her.

"Obaa-san told me you haven't ate yet," Hinamori said as she showed him the plate of meat buns. "So eat something."

Taking a meat bun from the plate, he put it in his mouth as he continued watering Tobiume. "Mou, Hitsugaya-kun, you shouldn't be eating like that!" Hinamori said. "What if it falls to the ground?"

After turning off the hose, Hitsugaya took the meat bun from his mouth and removed it so that he could reply back to her. "It won't Hinamori. Stop looking out for me like I'm a child. I'm already old enough to take care of myself."

"But Hitsugaya-kun..."

"Hinamori, that's enough. I know you want to repay me after all I have done for you, but there's no need for you to look out for me."

"I have to look out for you. I don't want you to think I'm just a decoration for your house. I'm a human too. So please, let me help you."

Suddenly his emerald-teal eyes shot a very icy glare at the raven haired girl, stunning her with fear and hurt. "Then do me this favour: leave-me-alone!"

Looking down onto the ground, she felt guilty of what she has done. "I-I'm sorry. I must be a bother to you to get you angry like this. I won't interfere again...Anyway, I should go to school now. I'll see you later."

He didn't even bother to watch her go back into the house to get her school belongings. Sensing her presence as she quickly left the house, he realized what he has done to her. He mentally slapped himself for this. "Idiot, now look what you have done. You're supposed to confront her yet you pushed her away. What's wrong with you?"

CLASS 2-3

"What's wrong Hinamori-chan?" Matsumoto asked. "You don't look happy today."

"Oh no, I'm not sad Rangiku-san," Hinamori replied, trying to cover up her sorrows from a while ago. "I'm alright really."

"Okay then, but if there is anything that is bothering you, I'm always here to listen to you."

"Hai, arigato."

"By the way, why isn't taicho with you? Don't you two usually walk together to school now?"

Before she could answer that question, Hinamori noticed his presence as he walked into the room. Noticing the raven haired girl lowered her head with guilt, Matsumoto turned to take a looked at the white haired prodigy. "He's reverting back to being an ice prince."

"Eh, you can tell?!" Renji asked.

"He looks pretty normal to me," Kira agreed.

By the time he walked over to his desk next to her, Matsumoto put her hands on her hips and started scolding him. "Oi taicho! Why didn't you walk with Hinamori-chan to school today? What if she got kidnapped or something?"

He is already feeling all snippy and he doesn't need another person to get him in a worse mood than he is now. "What do you mean Matsumoto?" he snapped, giving her a glare. "I'm not her bodyguard or anything. She can take care of herself."

"You're right; you're not her bodyguard. You're her boyfriend!"

Just as the air of the room felt like a storage room freezer, the students of class 2-3 turned to the angry prodigy. "Matsumoto, cut-it-out. Just because we live together, doesn't mean that."

"Now class settle down," Unohana said as she watched the students go back to their seats. "Hitsugaya-kun, that means you too. I may not know what you're mad at Matsumoto-chan for, but we have a lot of things to over today. It's time to start class."

Knowing that she has a point, the white haired boy closed his eyes to take a breath, releasing himself from all the built up stress. The icy like room soon returned back to normal. "Hai, Unohana-sensei."

Once the bell rung notifying the students it is lunch time, Hinamori watched some of her friends leave to eat their lunches outdoors. "Hinamori," said a voice.

With a blink of her eyes, she turned to the concerned black haired teenager. "Eh, what is it, Rukia-san?"

"Are you coming or what?"

Suddenly remembering that Hitsugaya will be there, her sorrows soon returned. "Ah, don't worry about me. I'll join you a little later, okay?"

"Well if you say so. Just don't skip lunch, you know it's not healthy for you."

"Hai!"

Once she left, Hinamori took a deep breath and soon started leaving the classroom. "I guess I'll eat lunch alone somewhere else," Hinamori said as she stepped out into the schoolyard.

Just as she was walking past the front entrance of the school premises, Hinamori stopped walking to look into the eyes of the familiar person standing there waiting for her. "You are..."

SCHOOLYARD, LUNCH TIME

"So taicho, did you do something to get her upset?" Matsumoto asked.

Just when he was about to take another bite out of his unagi, Hitsugaya turned to the strawberry orange haired student and asked, "Hah?"

"Don't hah me! Something definitely happened between the both of you."

The memory of him having an argument with her this morning had been in his mind this whole time. "That's none of your business."

"So something did happen between the both of you."

"Oi Toshiro," Ichigo said. "You better say sorry to her."

"You don't need to say that twice," Hitsugaya thought.

He got mad at her because he was afraid; afraid of what may happen if she remembered him, his three year old self. If she did, how is their relationship is going to change? Is it for the better or for the worst? Either way, the young prodigy knew now, there's no use thinking thoroughly about the situation. He has to apologize to her first before he can move on.

Suddenly feeling something slap against his back, Hitsugaya's eyes turned to the red headed teenager with an icy glare. "Oi, what was that for Abarai?"

"Be a man and apologize to her already!" Renji said. "Look, here she comes."

"Eh?" Matsumoto wondered. "She seems to be with someone."

With everyone suddenly turning to the strawberry orange haired teenager, Orihime asked, "What do you mean Rangiku-san?"

"She's with some boy who is a bit taller than her."

"Wait, is she going to get picked on again just like last time?" Ichigo asked.

"Oh no Ichigo. It looks like she knows him."

"He doesn't look normal," Renji said. "He's not wearing our school uniform. Also, he doesn't look like he lives here."

"That's called a foreigner Renji," Yumichika replied.

"Tch, I know that!"

"Oi Hinamori-chan!" Matsumoto called out, waving to the two people to approach them.

"Ah Rangiku-san," Hinamori said cheerfully. "Everyone."

"Who's the guy next to you?"

"Ah, gomen nesai. This is my long distant cousin and former classmate in my old school when I was still living in America. His name's Kurito Granger."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all," he replied.

"Sugoi, his Japanese dialect is good!" Matsumoto said.

"Yeah," Ichigo said.

"At least it's better than yours," Rukia replied.

"Shut up," Ichigo retorted.

"He's actually a Japanese American," Hinamori explained.

"So why are you visiting Japan?" Kira asked.

"I came to see how Momo-chan's doing after all this time," Kurito said.

"After all this time?" Matsumoto asked.

"You see, a while back, I heard from my parents that Momo-chan's parents got into an accident and passed away. My parents were worried for her. So we decided to take an emergency trip to Japan to search for her."

"Is that so?"

"By the way Momo-chan, where have you've been staying after all this time?"

"I've been staying at my neighbour's house," Hinamori said, slowly eying her way to the white haired boy sitting in the back of the group of teenagers, leaning against the tree trunk. Apparently, he isn't paying attention to the conversation at all. "Obaa-san, who lives there, allowed me to stay over. Actually, it's more like her grandson who made the offer."

"Souka? In that case, you don't mind if I come over, right?"

"Eh?"

Just when he said that, Hitsugaya's eyes looked up to look at him for the first time.

"Well?"

"I...eh, have to ask them first."

"Ah don't worry about it too much."

"Souka?"

Suddenly, all teenagers heard the school bell ring. "I guess it's time for you all go head back to class," Kurito said. "Momo-chan, I'll come back again later to pick you up after school. We can hang around later, okay?"

"Hai!"

"As for you all, Momo-chan's friends, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said as he watched the teenagers standing up and slowly walking back into the school.

"Ah yeah, hope we'll meet again soon," Ichigo said.

"Ja ne!" Matsumoto added.

"Bye Kurito-kun," Hinamori said before she joined the others.

As Kurito waved his friend a warm farewell, he didn't notice the pair of emerald-teal eyes of the short white haired boy looking sharply at him.

AFTER SCHOOL

Once the bell rung indicating that school is finished for the day, Hinamori rushed out of the classroom. "I can't wait to hang around with Kurito-kun!" Hinamori said cheerfully. "Hm, if I recall correctly, this is his first trip here. We should go somewhere nice!"

Dashing her way to the shoe locker room, she was stopped by the presence of her little brother, Hitsugaya Toshiro. Leaning against the side where her locker is, the boy had his eyes closed, head slightly tilted forward while his hands are stuffed into his pants pockets. He was waiting for her, she knew it. "Hitsugaya-kun..."

Upon hearing those words, the boy turned his body towards her. With a hand ruffling through his white hair, the young prodigy was busy trying to find the right words to say to her without hurting her feelings again. Opening his eyes to get her attention, Hitsugaya began saying, "Hinamori, about this morning...I-I'm sorry for getting mad at you. I was...um."

"In a bad mood," Hinamori finished his sentence. "Isn't that right?"

"Ah, yeah."

Giving him her warm trademark smile, Hinamori said, "Daijobou Hitsugaya-kun. I understand, it's not your fault. So, shall we get going?"

"She's so forgiving...like she always were," he thought. "Alright."

Hitsugaya and Hinamori then opened their shoe lockers and changed their shoes before heading out into the schoolyard together. By the time they were at the front gate, they found Kurito waving at the raven haired girl. "Oi Momo-chan!" he called out.

"Kurito-kun!" Hinamori called back as she ran up to him while Hitsugaya soon followed behind. "Did I make you wait for a long time?"

"Nah, I just arrived. Ah, who might this be?"

"This is my classmate, Hitsugaya Toshiro," she said introducing the white haired boy.

"Really? He doesn't look like a high school student; you look more like an elementary school student."

"I'm not a kid," Hitsugaya thought to himself.

"He's also the grandson I was talking about before," Hinamori added.

"Hm, so you're living with him and his grandmother," Kurito said as he took a glance to study the boy. "How interesting."

"What do you mean by interesting?" Hitsugaya asked.

"Oh no, it's nothing bad or anything. I just never thought that you and your Obaa-san would freely accept her into the family. You know, you only known each other for a few months." (A/N: Lies, Obaa-san did know Hinamori's parents. xD)

Noticing that the battle aura between the two boys are becoming more serious, Hinamori had to think of something fast. "Anyway, shall we get going? I need to stop by at my place and drop my school bag before going anywhere."

Turning to the raven haired girl, the two said yes and began walking to the Hitsugaya residence.

HITSUGAYA RESIDENCE

"Hm, so this is where you live," Kurito said, taking quick glances at each side of the courtyard as they walked through. "Pretty ordinary."

"Keep your comments to yourself," Hitsugaya thought as he glared at the Japanese American.

"Mou, stop saying stuff like that. It's rude!" Hinamori said.

"Ah I'm sorry, I'm just not used to seeing the Japanese culture," Kurito apologized. "My family's actually quite rich. So, we're usually surrounded by all the luxury and fame."

"Is that so?" Hitsugaya replied.

"Yes."

Once Hinamori opened the front door, the three teenagers soon found themselves in the presence of Obaa-san and a few other guests. "Eh, father, mother, what are you two doing here?" Kurito asked.

"AHHH!!" his mother cried out as she leaped into the air and pulled Hinamori into a loving embrace. "Momo-chan! It's been a while since we last saw you!"

"Ah, yeah. It's a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Granger," Hinamori said.

With his arms over his chest, Kurito asked, "Mother, you still haven't answered my question."

"Now Kuri-chan, don't use that tone with me especially when we're house guests to the nice elder. She's been so kind to let us stay here and wait for Momo-chan to come home from school."

"In other words, you ran off from the hotel to go to her former house only to meet her."

"Exactly!"

Sighing with defeat, Kurito replied, "I told you that I would go look for her on her own. What if you got lost?"

"Ah don't worry! As long as my husband's with me, I'll be just fine!"

"Geez, sorry about that Momo-chan."

"It's okay..." Hinamori said.

"Why won't you stay for dinner tonight?" Obaa-san asked as she turned her eyes to her grandson. "We would love to get to know Takashi's and Miyako's close friends, isn't that right Toshiro?" (A/N: In case you didn't know, Takashi and Miyako are the names of Momo's parents. Made it up.)

Knowing that she is implying, Hitsugaya gave the Granger parents a short bow.

"So this child is your grandson?" Mrs. Granger asked as she pointed at the boy.

Before the elder could say anything, Kurito's mother squealed as she pulled Hitsugaya into her embrace, catching him by surprise. "Aww, you're so adorable! You're such a cute little kid!" she exclaimed while didn't notice a struggling Hitsugaya, trying to break free.

"Thanks for the dinner. It's really good," Mr. Granger said.

"Why thank you, my grandson is the one who did all the cooking," Obaa-san replied as she and Hitsugaya began gathering the empty plates together on the low dinner table.

As the two members of the Hitsugaya family left the family and Hinamori alone in the living room to clean and wash the dishes, Mr. and Mrs. Granger turned to the raven haired girl. "They're nice people," Mr. Granger said.

"Yeah, they are. They've always looked out for me," Hinamori said, "especially now."

"Momo-chan, I know this is a little sudden and all. If you don't mind, we would like you to..."

Upon hearing the rest of the sentence, it left the young girl stunned and lost for words.

"Thanks again for letting us stay over for a little while," Mrs. Granger said.

"It's really nothing, please come again soon," Obaa-san replied.

"Ja ne Momo-chan," Kurito said.

"Ah, yeah. Ja ne," Hinamori replied back.

"Remember what we told you, okay?" Kurito said before he and his family left the residence.

Overhearing the conversation, Hitsugaya turned to the raven haired girl and asked, "Are you supposed to do something for them?"

She didn't know how to respond to him. She really didn't, but if she does not say anything, it would only worry him. "Hitsugaya-kun, can we talk in your room?" Hinamori asked.

Noticing a sad expression on her face, Hitsugaya nodded with agreement. With that done, the two teenagers went into his bedroom.

HITSUGAYA'S ROOM

After closing the door behind him, Hitsugaya turned to the raven haired classmate who is sitting next to the kotatsu table. Sitting right across from her, the white haired boy asked, "So what did you want to talk about?"

For a brief moment, Hinamori gave it some thought. How is she going to say it in front of him? "Hitsugaya-kun..."

"Hm?"

"Kurito's parents want me to go back to America and live with them."

References

Souka - Is that so

Ojii-san - Grandfather

Oto-san - Father

Hai - Yes

Obaa-san - Grandmother

Arigato - Thank you

Taicho - Captain

Sensei - Teacher

Gomen nesai - I'm sorry

Sugoi - Amazing

Ja ne - Good bye

Daijobou - I'm alright

Baka - Idiot / Stupid

AznVKai: Now before you start throwing vegetables, daggers, juice boxes, knives, (and other flying objects) at me, this fan fic will have its HitsuHina ending. Don't worry so much about it, okay? Anyway, please review by pressing the nice and pretty green button below after reading the chapter seven preview. Thanks! (runs away) GAH!

Chapter Seven Preview: The Last Day Together

"I'll never forget you Hitsugaya-kun," Hinamori said as she left his side and began to join the Grangers.

"Hinamori," Hitsugaya suddenly said, stopping the raven haired girl from walking any further.

Turning around to look at the white haired boy one last time, Hinamori asked, "What is it Hitsugaya-kun?"

"Hinamori I..."