Hey it's been awhile! Sorry about not updating and all…kind of busy these days ^^; Well, Enjoy!

NOTE: UPDATES WILL TAKE LONGER BECAUSE OF STUDIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

ミ コ ト • Mikoto


Chapter 4: Stirring Up Trouble

Previously:

I can't avoid that question forever…

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.

"Heh, this is perfect." smirked one of the two.

"They wouldn't even know who did it…they wouldn't even see it coming."

Momo Hinamori and Toshiro Hitsugaya walked down the straight path before them in silence. The skies were a peachy color and the clouds were a light pink, like sweet candy floss. (Cotton Candy) Momo's mind was whirling with thoughts of various things and Toshiro kept staring at the pavement, wondering when he should try asking her that same question again.

~Toshiro's POV~

What is she thinking about? What's going through that mind of hers? I have a mountain of things to ask her…but, what if she tries to avoid it again? What if she doesn't reply back? Or am I just being too soft on her?

Should I talk to her? This silence is slowly killing me. He glanced at her.

Momo, why won't you tell me anything?

~End of Toshiro's POV~

~Momo's POV~

Toshiro…what are you expecting from me? Are you expecting me to just, tell you everything, and then, everything would be normal again? Or…are you expecting me to lock myself in my room, and never talk about my past again? She gave him a small worried look and bit her lip. I REALLY want to tell you…I want to tell you but…actually, what is stopping me? No one made me swear not to tell anyone…oh. I know why, it's because I want to tell him, but deep inside me, I don't want to tell him about the past. Bringing it up again…would probably make me break down.

Toshiro…Gomenesai.

~End of Momo's POV~

They both looked up at each other at the same time.

"I-"

"Listen-"

They both immediately closed their mouths.

"You first." said Toshiro.

"No, really, you go first." replied Momo.

"Ladies first, Momo." His eyes narrowed.

"Youngest always gets there say before oldest." whispered Momo.

Hitsugaya sighed. "I was just going to ask how your day was today."

Was that really it? "Oh, um…It was fine. Well, for my first day that is."

Hitsugaya kept his gaze ahead of him. "Oh."

"Can I ask you something?" she looked at him, curiously.

"Seeing as how you just did, yes."

"What were you thinking about before? Outside the infirmary?"

He paused. "I was…"

"?" she waited patiently.

"I was thinking of what I should have for dinner tonight." He replied, flatly.

Hinamori was disappointed at his answer. "Really?" It seemed like he was deep in thought, though…

"Yes, really. What about you?"

"E-Eh?"

"What were you thinking of? Inside the infirmary?" he shot the question back.

"Ano…Uh…ee to... I was…a-also thinking about what I should have for dinner!"

He raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And that's it! Ahaha, isn't that strange? We were both thinking about the same thing!" she scratched her head.

"Momo, just face it. You're not a very good liar."

Hinamori's head hung low. He's so right… "A-Anyways, let's change the subject; this topic of conversation isn't exactly interesting."

She really doesn't want to talk about her thoughts…why is she being so secretive with me? "Okay…" he replied.

They strolled pass countless houses and it seemed as if they had been walking forever.

Instead of changing the subject, they went all quiet again.

I can't help but get the feeling that someone is watching me… Momo gazed around. Hitsugaya was staring right at her. "Lil' Shiro?"

"…" he continued to stare intently at the innocent girl. I'll just have to…force it out of her.

"Um…" she fidgeted a bit.

He walked over to her, fast. Hinamori quickly took a few steps back and she could feel her back lightly hit the cool wall behind her. Her eyes widened as he slammed his fist at the wall above her head. His glare was serious. Dead serious. Hinamori had never seen him look at her like this.

"Hinamori." He muttered her name under his breath. It wasn't 'Momo' or 'Bed wetter Momo', it was just 'Hinamori'.

Momo shivered at his icy way of saying her name. He sounded so cold, so threatening.

"I will ask you these questions…and you will answer them." His gaze never faltered, his voice had no hint of fear, this was a different Toshiro Hitsugaya.

Momo stood there, paralyzed. She didn't know what to do or say.

"…Why did you leave, where did you go, what did you do and why come back, why only now?" his deep turquoise eyes pierced into her, making her feel…vulnerable.

"I-I-I…"

His eyes narrowed.

She gulped. "Toshiro, I…"

They both suddenly heard a 'click' and for a moment, they saw a blinding flash of white light.

"Nani?" Hinamori looked around.

Hitsugaya turned his head sharply. He managed to spot someone speed around the corner.

"Shimatta!" He immediately sprinted after the mysterious person.

The mysterious person was a fast runner; they dashed through a small alleyway, jumped over a few fences and ran around another corner.

"Not so fast!" Hitsugaya trailed after him. His eyes focused on the running figure before him. That uniform! It's the same as mine…this guy; he's not planning on doing what I think he's going to do, is he?

Hitsugaya ran like the wind after the unknown being. He was so close to the guy, he reached out and nearly grabbed his collar, but then, he saw the man in front of him, toss something. The item gleamed in the sunlight. Another person appeared out of nowhere and caught the thing that was thrown. Hitsugaya realized that it was a camera. But, he decided to ignore that for now, and find out who the guy in front of him was. Just as he was about to see the student's face, they elbowed him in the jaw, causing Hitsugaya to stagger back, while the student ran off.

"Kusou!" Hitsugaya cursed and rubbed his jaw. That guy…is dead.

The student and the other student who caught the camera had gotten away from Hitsugaya successfully. They laughed evilly together.

"That was a close one, he almost had me." smirked the one who was running.

"Ha, you were just lucky that I was there, otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to get that camera out of his reach." replied the other.

"Yeah, yeah. Just make sure you don't lose that camera. Otherwise it would ruin the plan."

"I don't need you to remind me that."

"Whatever."

"Lil' Shiro!" Momo came running after him. Toshiro was leaning on his knees, catching his breath. "Daijobu desu ka?"

"Yeah…I'm fine. But they got away." He stood up straight.

"Eh? What's so bad about that? All they did was take a picture." She tilted her head.

"…Don't you get it?"

"Get what, Lil' Shiro?"

"You mean you didn't realize?"

"Ee to…?"

He turned to face her. "Haven't you realized that I had no friends in school? Until you came that is, everyone was surprised."

He recalled back in the classroom. "Friends?" The whole class said in unison. They couldn't believe their ears. And they were all thinking the same thing: THIS GUY HAS FRIENDS?

"Did you hear that? Hinamori-San called the 'Cold' Hitsugaya 'Lil' Shiro'!"

"That's not the point! Hinamori-San gave that guy a nickname! And we all know how cruel that guy is! How can a Cold as Ice Demon like him, be friends with a Warm-Hearted Princess like her?"

It hit all the students like a rock. "Could he be forcing her to be his friend?"

"They all like to make trouble for me, just because of my hairstyle and because of my facial expression. Even though they are both normal and natural. Geez, that's why my so-called nickname is the 'Ice Demon'."

"Y-You mean you're being bullied? Just like when we were little?" she questioned innocently.

"Hai."

Hinamori's hands were clenched into a fist and her body was slightly shaking. Her fringe covered her eyes, so Hitsugaya couldn't see her facial expression very well.

"Momo? Is something wro-"

Hinamori stood up straight all of a sudden, with her right hand pointing up to the sky. "I've decided! From this day on, I'm going to be standing up for you, I'll show those cruel people that you're actually just a sweet little boy with strange hair!" she shouted with determination in her voice.

"…Strange hair?" he glared at her.

Momo paused. "Ahahaha…" she scratched her head. "I mean-unique hair…But anyways, as long as I'm there, they won't dare to say mean things to you Lil' Shiro! After all, that's what big sisters are for, right?"

"Hmm…if big sisters are always meant to be there for the younger ones…then, again I ask, where were you all these years?" he tilted his head and folded his arms.

"Uh…" she sweat dropped.

She twirled around and ran. "Bye Lil' Shiro, catch you tomorrow!"

He sprinted after her. "You're not going to get away from me so easily, it's a simple question and all you need to do is answer it!"

"Maybe another time Lil' Shiro!" she giggled.

"Urrgh! Stop toying me around!" he ran after her and he was starting to catch up to her.

Momo continued to laugh. It felt like the good times when she and him would run up and down the street, playing tag with each other, or helping with errands.

"Hey, stop!" he called after her.

She smiled, that sweet child-like smile at him. "No way!" she sang.

They continued to run up the hill, they ran past houses, around the corner and decided to take a shortcut through the park. They passed the playground section, kids swooshed down the slide; little children swung on the swings, young ones hit each other with sticks and others would run around playfully.

Toshiro grabbed Momo's wrist and pulled her back.

"!" Momo gasped as she lightly fell on Hitsugaya. Hitsugaya held her firmly close to him, his head rested on her shoulder; she could feel his steady breath on her skin. His lips were so close to her neck.

Hitsugaya panted slightly. "I said…stop…"

Hinamori felt her cheeks flush pink. "L-Lil' Shiro…?"

A weary smile formed on his face. "Finally, I caught you." He huffed quietly.

She gulped. She had never been this close to him before, unless if she counted that time when…

"Now, answer the damn question…Okay? If you do, I won't ever pester you about it again, Momo."

"B-But…" a chill went down her spine as she felt his fresh breath on her neck.

"…"

Then, they both heard a child's voice. "Mummy, why is that boy with the funny white hair trying to kidnap that nice-looking girl?"

"Ssh, don't say that so loud Kazuki, it's very rude." scolded the mother.

"But Mummy, look!" pointed the boy.

Hitsugaya froze. That kid, is talking about us…right? Curses! He immediately released his childhood friend. "H-Hinamori, let's go." He grabbed her hand and led her back to the main street.

Hinamori blushed slightly. "H-Hai…"

Hitsugaya didn't realize that he was still holding Hinamori's hand. She followed him, as he dragged her along. They stopped in front of Hinamori's house. "L-Lil' Shiro, you can l-let go of my hand now…"

"Huh?" he glanced down at their hands. He blushed, turned his head away and snatched his hand away. "S-Sorry about that."

She delivered a reassuring smile at him. "No worries, I didn't mind that much, besides we used to do that when we were little a lot!"

He blushed more. "N-No we didn't! What are you going on about?"

She laughed sweetly. "Don't worry; I'll keep it a secret between us."

"A secret? What type of secret is that?"

"Oh? Lil' Shiro, are you telling me to tell everyone in the school?" she smirked at him.

He shuddered. "N-Never mind!"

"Heheh, I'm just teasing!"

"Geez…"

She waved him goodbye and closed the door behind her.

He walked back to his place calmly, locked the front door and started to cook some plain dinner. His mind was focused on other things. Why…why does she refuse to answer? Could it really be that bad? He sighed. And I failed to force it out of her as well. Tch, if that stupid idiot with the camera hadn't interrupted…I would have had the answers! I was close, Kusou!

"…Crap. I forgot that I was cooking."

The so called curry rice was now; black, literally black and smoking like a chicken on fire. He groaned. "So much for eating something edible tonight."

Hinamori sighed. "Today, I successfully dodged the question. But, what about tomorrow…?" she stared off into the distance until she remembered that she had to finish unpacking. She found a picture frame of her and Toshiro when they were younger. It was Hitsugaya's birthday, 20th of December. Momo remembered back then.

C'mon Lil' Shiro, just smile for this one picture! –pleaded Momo.

Hmph, no way. Why should I smile for something as stupid as this? I mean, what are we going to do with a photo frame? –Young Toshiro replied.

Aw…but…it's your birthday…

I'll take a picture with you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to smile.

Hondo Ni? Yay! –she smiled.

The camera clicked just as Momo had patted his head while smiling and Toshiro had his arms folded glaring at the camera.

She had a smile full of sorrow on her face and she held back tears as she hugged the photo frame. "Toshiro…"

"Are you finished with the article? It's got to be ready by tomorrow, remember?" reminded the guy.

"I know, I know, don't rush me! I'm nearly finished with it." replied the other.

"Whatever you say." nodded the guy.

"Heh, after all, it was me and my brilliant mind who thought of this plan, so I can take as long as I like." grinned the other guy.

"Sometimes I hate you. Sometimes is now." muttered the guy.

"Haha, say what you want before I beat the living daylights out of you!" said the other confidently.

"Oh yeah? We'll see about that." smirked the guy.

"After I finish this thing of course." mumbled the other guy.

The following day…

"Ohayo Gozaimasu Lil' Shiro!" greeted Momo, happily as they walked to school together.

"Ah, Ohayo." He replied, sleepily.

They chatted about the weather and their sleep, and all that little conversational stuff until they reached the school gates. There was a huge crowd of people gathered around the notice/news board. All chatting and gossiping to each other.

"What's going on over there?" asked Hinamori.

"I don't know. But I may have an idea…" replied Hitsugaya.

"?"

Then, some random male student noticed Hitsugaya standing at the gate. He pointed at him and yelled so loud, everyone could hear. "Hey, look, he's here!"

"Huh?" blinked Hitsugaya.

"Eh?" Hinamori titled her head to the side.

The whole crowd turned their attention towards him and all gasped, chatted furiously or glared at him with eyes of hatred. "He's the one who…"

"I can't believe he did that."

"How could he do that to a new student?"

"What a ridiculous guy. You've got to feel sorry for the poor girl."

"What the hell…?" Hitsugaya pushed through the crowd. What is this about?

"W-Wait, Lil' Shiro!" Hinamori chased after him.

Hitsugaya reached the notice board. Those guys from yesterday, did they-? His eyes scanned for the 'big' news. But it looked like he didn't need to, since the article took up the whole board. His eyes widened. "This can't be…true."

To Be Continued…

-End of Chapter 4-


Japanese Translations:

Hai- Yes

Gomenesai- I'm (very) sorry

Ano- Um (Or something used to start a conversation/sentence)

Ee to- Um or Uh or something like that

Nani- What

Shimatta- Sh*t or Damn or Crap or…you know, all that stuff (Hope I spelt this right o.o)

Kusou- Damn it, crap etc. (Hope I spelt this right o.o)

Daijobu desu ka- Are you alright/okay?

Hondo Ni- Really?

Hey, it's been awhile everyone! ^-^

How's it going? I know, I know, I haven't updated in a long time. I just thought I'd finally update this chap to let you know that I was still alive. Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed it, some HitsuHina finally coming on I see *_* Well, that's all for now, until next time!

NOTE: UPDATES WILL TAKE LONGER BECAUSE OF STUDIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

ミ コ ト • Mikoto

See that little button down there that says 'Review'? Much appreciated if you click it! ^_^