Heya! How's life? Sorry for the delay…but be excited! This chapter is super awesome! (Like my name! Get it? :D) I'm joking, it's actually not SUPER awesome…if it's not as good as my other chapters then sorry again! ^-^;
[By the way…it's quite a long chapter- to make up for the wait :) ]
ミ コ ト • Mikoto
Chapter 3: The Disappearance
Previously:
After sharing the bento, Hitsugaya couldn't help but ask the question that's been bugging him for so long.
"Momo...why did you leave?"
"Hm? What are you talking about, Lil' Shiro?"
"All those years ago...where did you go? And why didn't you come back until now?"
"…" Hinamori stayed silent. She didn't know how to respond to that. Momo wanted to tell him so badly because she abandoned him, making her feel guilty, plus, he deserved to know what happened. But she couldn't bring herself to say it. She couldn't tell him the truth because she simply didn't want to recall her past memories. Hinamori froze. If she didn't want to tell him, then what was she supposed to say to him? Momo couldn't bare to lie to Toshiro, she had already hurt him too much. What do I do…?
"Momo?" Hitsugaya stood up and walked in front of her view.
I should just tell him but…
The young boy with the wild hair and turquoise eyes waved his hand in front of her eyes. "Hinamori?"
I really shouldn't be so selfish…
"BEDWETTER MOMO!"
Momo flinched and blinked several times.
"Geez, you still daydream like you used to." muttered Toshiro.
I haven't heard that nickname in years! "…Ne, Toshiro?" Momo looked up at him. This is a perfect chance to avoid telling him!
"What is it?" he glanced at his childhood friend.
"You just called me 'Bed wetter Momo' even though I'm in High School now, right?"
"Yeah, so what?"
"Lil' Shiro! I'm in High School. HIGH SCHOOL! And you're calling me an embarrassing nickname from childhood!" she stood up and faced him.
"I could say the same thing. Every corner I turn, I hear you shouting 'Lil' Shiro' everywhere! I'm in High School too, you know!"
"But I have a right to call you that!"
"What 'Right'?" he glared at her.
"Well…I'm older then you by a couple months and you're shor-"
He cringed at the word she was about to say. Short.
"I AM NOT SHORT!"
Momo just remembered that Toshiro had grown taller and wasn't as short as the last time she saw him. Hold on a second…he may have grown taller, but he still might be shorter than me! She raised her hand above Hitsugaya's head to see how tall he was. She gasped at the 'Shocking' result. "Lil' Shiro! I can't believe it!"
"Is it just me, or are we talking about my height a lot more these days?" he muttered, slightly annoyed.
"You're one centimetre taller than me!" I guess that takes away one of my 'Rights'…
"It appears to be so."
"Wow, Lil' Shiro!" she smiled at him and started to play with his strangely spiky hair. "I'm going to have to call you 'Big Shiro' now!"
"Agh! Momo cut it out! I keep telling you, I'm not a kid anymore! And 'Big Shiro' sounds lame!" complained Toshiro.
"Then, I'll just stick with 'Lil' Shiro', ok?" she started to laugh.
"It's just Toshiro!"
The school bell rang, signalling that lunchtime was over.
"Well, I'll race you back to class, Lil' Shiro!" she smiled and quickly turned to run.
"…It's Toshiro and I'm not racing." He started to walk back to class.
Momo ran into the classroom and shut the sliding door behind her. Safe…but I can't avoid that question forever. –she thought.
Toshiro walked down the hallway casually. She completely dodged the question. I know that it's not really any of my business and she probably doesn't want to talk about it, but I can't help but be curious. How can I get this information out of her?
He opened the classroom door, calmly and went to his seat next to the window. His head leaned on his hand and his mind was focused on the clouds outside the boundaries of the window, but his eyes were glued to Hinamori's back. The students heard their Sensei walk in and class begun.
•
During Class…
I can't focus on my work at all! Nearly every single thing I was thinking about was written on my study book because I didn't realise that I was unconsciously writing it down! Then, the teacher came by and thought I was writing a poem! The girl who was named after a peach rubbed her temples. She quickly erased the words on her book and stared down at the empty blank page. What should I do? Since my house is near Toshiro's house, there's no doubt that he'll walk home with me. If he does…I just know he'll ask me the same question again! I need more time to think…I got it!
Momo glanced at the Teacher. She rose from her chair and put her hand up. "Ukitake-Sensei."
What is Momo doing? -wondered Hitsugaya.
Ukitake turned around and looked at the young teenager. "Yes, Hinamori-San?"
"I'm not feeling so well…can I head to the Infirmary?" asked Momo, innocently.
Ukitake put his hand to his chin and thought for a few moments. "Since today is your first day, I'll let you slide out of the afternoon session, this time. You may go."
"Hai, arigato." Momo walked out of the classroom, towards the Medical Room.
Momo knocked on the door lightly. "You may come in." replied a gentle female voice. Momo stepped into the room and saw two older women. One had long silky black hair with dark grey eyes. She had a kind expression on her face and she wore a white coat. The other woman had short silver hair and wore a pale blue uniform.
"Um…is this the Infirmary?" Hinamori stepped outside to check the sign. Definitely the right room…
"Ah, welcome. Yes, you're in the correct place." smiled the mature woman with black hair.
The girl in the pale blue uniform introduced herself. "You must be the new transfer student everyone's talking about! I'm Isane, the school nurse."
"I see…nice to meet you." replied Momo, a bit nervous.
"I'm the school doctor. My name is Retsu Unohana, pleasure to meet you." She smiled yet again.
"Pleasure to meet you, too!"
"Well, since you're here…what can we do for you?"
"Um…I just came to lie down for a while; I'm not feeling too good." Momo lied, trying to sound like an unwell person. Uh-oh…I don't think they're going to buy my lie…
Unohana paused for a few seconds, examining Momo. "What was your name again?"
Momo gulped. "Momo Hinamori."
Unohana looked at her with dark kind eyes. "Of course you can lie down. Here." She pulled open some curtains to reveal a comfy bed, it was coloured a creamy white.
Hinamori lied down and Unohana tucked her in. "Have a good rest."
Hinamori nodded and Unohana turned to face Isane.
"Isane, let's go get those new herbs I was talking about before."
"Oh, yes ma'am!" they started to head out the door. "Hope you feel better soon!" Isane said, while walking out.
Unohana walked out but then popped her head through the doorway. "By the way, Welcome to Shino High School, Hinamori-San." Then, Unohana shut the sliding door.
Momo sighed. "Phew…" After she heard their footsteps fade away, she relaxed and started to think of what her answers would be to 'Why did you leave? Where did you go? And why didn't you come back until now?'
Unohana and Isane walked down the school corridor.
"Um…Miss Unohana?" started Isane.
"Yes?" Unohana smiled at her, warmly.
"What new herbs? We were talking about tea and coffee before…"
"I just said that to give us a small excuse to leave."
"?" Isane looked at her mentor, confused.
"It was obvious that Hinamori-San wasn't actually ill. She just needed some time alone."
"Oh…I see."
"Ah, Isane. The next thing you need to learn is…"
"Hm?"
Unohana waved her index finger at Isane. "How to find out if people are faking an illness or not, understand?"
"Hai, Miss Unohana."
•
Later, the school bell rang. School was over for the day.
Hitsugaya grabbed his ebony black bag and out it over his shoulder. I guess I'll go see how Momo is doing. Might as well walk home with her, since we both live in the same area. He walked down the stairs, remembering some things. Voices started to echo in his head.
'Lil' Shiro!'
'Would you miss me if I disappeared?'
'Momo...why did you leave?'
'All those years ago...where did you go? And why didn't you come back until now?'
'My name is Momo Hinamori; it's nice to meet you all!'
'M-Momo…'
'Geez, you still daydream like you used to!'
'Momo…where are you?'
Hitsugaya went silent. He walked over to the window and stared at the shining sun outside.
-Flashback-
The morning mist was starting to clear and the sun was high in the blue skies. Birds chirped and sang peaceful melodies to one another, dogs chased stray cats, mothers went grocery shopping on this lovely fine weekend and little, young Toshiro Hitsugaya slept in until Ten o'clock. Hitsugaya stretched and yawned after having a good night's sleep. He lazily walked to the bathroom and brushed his teeth.
"Hm…today I'll go buy some peaches and head over to Momo's place."
After Hitsugaya had finished his morning things, he went to the grocery fruit market and brought some fresh pink-ish orange peaches. Little Toshiro calmly walked down the street and some other kids just stared at him. He could hear their small voices whispering behind his back. "Why does he have white hair?" whispered one.
"I don't know, probably because he's bad luck. Remember? His Grandma died a couple of months ago." said another in a hushed voice.
"You might be right about that! Last year, his only friend's parents passed away in an accident." agreed a small boy.
"Hey, loser!" a bigger boy called after Toshiro.
The boy with the white as snow hair continued to walk and ignore the older kid. This made the older one angry; he stood in front of Hitsugaya to block his path. He had other kid's surround Hitsugaya so he couldn't go anywhere.
"I'm talking to you!" the older boy glared down at the small kid. Toshiro returned a sharp icy glare back.
"Who does he think he is? Looking at Ryuto like that! He's got some nerve!" muttered one of the children surrounding young Toshiro.
"What?" replied Toshiro, as he glared at Ryuto, his eyes unwavering.
Ryuto smirked. "Buying something for your girlfriend?"
"None of your business, moron."
"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?" snapped Ryuto, furiously.
"I don't have to repeat myself to the likes of you." He said, flatly.
"YOU-! AT LEAST I DON'T HAVE A CRY BABY GIRL FRIEND!"
"Pfft, at least I have one…unlike you." He lied.
"Grr! You twerp! Guys, do it!" yelled Ryuto.
All the other kids started to throw objects at the lone boy and Hitsugaya stood there, letting himself get hit.
"Haha! I have the upper hand here!" laughed Ryuto, evilly.
Rocks, stones, dirt, twigs, balls, toys, scissors and other objects flew by Hitsugaya. A soccer ball was thrown at him and he caught it with his free hand. All the kids stopped throwing items and went silent. "Why'd you all stop throwing?" questioned the boy who was so up himself.
"We…we ran out of things to, um, throw." replied another big child.
"WHAT?" Ryuto glanced at the quiet Toshiro. He had some bruises and a small cut on his left arm that was holding the bag of peaches.
"Is that the best you can do?" Hitsugaya looked up at all of them.
"Uh-oh…" one of the bigger kids started to tremble.
"WAH! I WANT MY MUMMY! HE'S SCARY!" cried another.
"S-So? What are you gonna do?" asked Ryuto, trying to act tough.
"…This." replied Toshiro, quietly. He put the soccer ball down in front of his feet and brought his right foot back behind him. Without breaking a sweat, he kicked the ball with a lot of strength and the ball went shooting towards Ryuto. The black-and-white ball smashed into the side of his head, hard. Ryuto crashed into the other kid, who bumped into the next and the next. They all went down like dominoes.
"Ugh…" groaned Ryuto. All of them were lying on the ground in pain.
Toshiro continued walking onwards. "Hmph. Not even a challenge."
When he finally reached Momo's house, it was noon. He knocked once. No reply. He rang the doorbell and waited. Nothing. He knocked countless times. "Momo? Momo? You alive?" No answer. He opened the door. It's unlocked… He walked in and examined the first floor. Everything is the same as always. He tiptoed into the kitchen and checked the fridge and cupboards. Some leftovers and snacks… He turned on the tap in the sink but no water came out. Strange… He walked into the storage room. Dusty and dark…I'm guessing she doesn't clean this room. Toshiro found the light switch and flicked it on. The room still remained dark. No electricity as well, huh? Hitsugaya walked up the stairs and looked around. Her parent's room was empty because no one sleeps there anymore; her bathroom had nothing but a sink, a toilet and a bath tub with a shower inserted in it. Not even a toothbrush…? Soundlessly, he paced down the corridor and paused before her bedroom door. The door was plain white and she had a sign shaped as a peach. In pink letters, it read 'MOMO'.
Toshiro glanced down at the plastic bag of peaches and smiled a bit. Slowly, he put his hand on the doorknob and turned. He was expecting Hinamori to be inside, sitting on her bed and brushing her dark chocolate hair. "Momo? If you're in there, I'm coming in." he opened the door and saw that no one was inside. Toshiro ran into the room and gazed around. Her bed sheets were folded back neatly, her closet was empty, he desk had been cleared except for a small pale blue envelope. He looked out the window and saw that the sun was starting to set.
If Momo's out, she should be home soon… He picked up the envelope and turned it around. There was a tiny chibi drawing of Hitsugaya and in fine dark blue writing; the envelope read 'Toshiro'. It's addressed…to me?
Carefully, he opened the envelope and unfolded the slightly crinkled paper. Hitsugaya stared at the words.
'Toshiro, Thank you for everything. Take care and Goodbye.'
"…What? What does she mean by 'Goodbye'?" Realization hit him like a brick. She had only asked him yesterday, 'Would you miss me if I disappeared?' He dropped the bag of peaches and dashed out of Hinamori's room. Hastily, he ran down the stairs and burst out the front door. Hitsugaya ran everywhere he could think of as fast as his legs would go. Every room was empty because she packed it all away and the only reason why she'd do that is because she's leaving. He continued to run and gather up all the logic together in his head. She also turned off the water and electricity supply because she knew that she wasn't going to be back anytime soon. Toshiro checked the playground area. No Hinamori. Momo asked me if I would miss her and I said no…she wrote down 'Goodbye' instead of saying it to me herself. She must have been in a rush, plus, she probably didn't want me to get involved…Do I miss her?
•
An hour of running passed and Toshiro was exhausted. He slowly dragged himself back to Momo's house. I can't believe it…she's actually gone. He sat down on her soft spongy bed and stared at her hazelnut brown desk. Ten minutes passed and Toshiro picked up the envelope again. He didn't realise before that there was something else inside it. Inside, was the spare key to Hinamori's house. Momo must have taken the other key…since she left me the spare key; I'm guessing she won't be coming back until…a very long time. A sad smile formed on his lips. "That means I'll be alone again…maybe I was always meant to be alone…"
•
He picked up the peaches, locked the front door and walked back to his place with his head hung low. He dumped the peaches on the table and crawled up the stairs lazily. Weakly, he opened the door to his room and collapsed on his bed. For hours he stared up at the ceiling. I don't know why but…my chest…is hurting. What's with this sudden pain?
-End Of Flashback-
Teenage Hitsugaya smiled to himself. Heh…I remember the day after her disappearance. I decided to wait for her, pfft, how ridiculous. Then, after about Three years, I finally realized that she wasn't coming back. And I tried to forget about Momo, but she always stayed at the back of my mind. Years later, she suddenly comes back…
He heard a door slide open, which interrupted his thoughts. Toshiro swiftly turned around. Hinamori was standing in the doorway. I just realized that I was standing in front of the Medical Room…
"Lil' Shiro? What are you doing here?" asked Momo, in her usual soft tone.
"…I came to pick you up. How are you feeling? Any better?" Toshiro asked with concern on his face.
"Ah, souka. I'm fine, no need to worry!" she gave a reassuring smile at him.
Hitsugaya nodded, relieved. "Well…do you, uh…want to walk home together?"
Just act normal…or at least try to… -thought Momo. "Hai! It'll be just like the old times!" replied Hinamori, cheerfully.
Hinamori's reply made Hitsugaya actually smile for one. "Yeah…"
Behind the corner were two unknown people watching both of them. Little did Hitsugaya and Hinamori know of what troubles they could stir up…
"Heh, this is perfect." smirked one of the two.
"They wouldn't even know who did it…they wouldn't even see it coming."
To Be Continued…
-End Of Chapter-
Japanese Translations:
Bento- Japanese Lunch Box
Ne- Used to catch someone's attention or 'Right'
Sensei- Teacher
Hai- Yes
Arigato- Thank You
Souka- I see (Or something along those words)
•
O.O I think…this is the longest chapter I have ever written. Well, I hope that your eyes don't hurt from all those words! (Once, I read too much manga and everywhere I looked, I could see words! On the ceiling, on the floor, on my sister, on the toilet….Er-hem, too much detail.)
Notice how I wrote 'Shino High School' instead of 'Shino Academy'? (Soul Reaper Academy) :D Oh and don't you think Toshiro is quite smart for his age? Coz I definitely think he is! ^-^
Ahaha ^^; , well, thanks for reading!
ミ コ ト • Mikoto
•
See that little button down there that says 'Review'? Much appreciated if you click it! ^_^