Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! All copyrights of this series goes to Tite Kubo.

Author's Note: Wow, I've only posted the prologue to this story and I've received quite a bit of reviews. Awesome! Special thanks goes to Mei-tan, icyangel27, Shiro022097, AznInvasionGirl, tanithhh, BLEACHISAWESOMEANDIMAWESOME XP, KnowledgeandImagination, cool!!!!!!!!!!!!, becomeafan, Neko-cheung, Kaye. Shirogane, athfdrizzle, applestoapples, chococat450, Pieps XD, The Sweet Peach, serenity095 for your support. Anyway, I've kept you all waiting long enough. Here is the beginning of Part I: Hope and Friendship. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking." Voice Message.

The Healing Heart

Part I - Hope and Friendship

Chapter One: Roommate

Momo blinked a few times before his comment registered in her mind. "W-What?"

Without another word from the white haired boy, he resumed his focus to look at the outdoor scenery through the window. After a few moments of silence, the peach girl lay back against the bed and let out a sigh of defeat. "Talking to him was a bad idea after all," she thought.

Since it is going to be a while before her grandmother arrives, she turned to the counter (which is set in between the two beds) and looked for something to read. Her eyes soon met with a thin silvery coloured flip cell phone. It must have belonged to him. Suddenly, she heard the sound of the slide door opening. Hinamori turned her head to the side to see Isane returned with a tray of food in her hands. She walked past the raven haired girl and placed it on the small arm table next to the boy's bed. "Hitsugaya, it's time for you to eat," Kotetsu said.

"I don't want it," he quickly replied without looking at her.

Isane let out a sigh of defeat. This is not the first time Toshiro Hitsugaya has refused to eat his food. "How are you supposed to fully recover when you don't consume your daily nutrients?"

All of a sudden, he quickly changed his attention to the tall woman and shot her with a dangerous icy glare. Even from Momo's distance, she could feel the bitter coldness from him. "Even if I recovered, what good it will do?" the eleven year old boy snapped. "It's not like I have a place to return to."

In response to his retort, Kotetsu then fell silent and lowered her head. With one look at the taller female, she then altered her attention to the white haired boy. What is the significance behind his words? "Hitsugaya, you have a great life ahead of you," Isane explained. "We, doctors and nurses, have done everything they can to keep you alive to this day. So please...don't make things more difficult than it already is."

"Well, thank you for taking care of me up until this moment in time," Hitsugaya said. "However, there is no more reason to look after me any further. So, if you can please excuse me, I have to go back to my usual business, rotting to death over here."

"Y-You shouldn't be saying such comments. W-What will your folks say if they heard you intentionally doing these things to yourself?"

Upon hearing that comment, the white haired boy sent her one more glare. "Well, I'm sorry to tell you Kotetsu, but all my folks are not amongst the people of this world anymore. So, I don't get the privilege to hear their lectures."

With his words said, Hitsugaya picked up his cell phone from the counter and began shifting his body towards the side of the bed. Knowing what he is trying to do, Isane went around and pulled out his wheelchair to the other side of his bed. The nurse tried offer the boy some assistance, but he just brushed her away. Once Hitsugaya successfully sat on his movable chair, he slowly made his way towards the door. Isane called out to the white haired child's name.

In response, he stopped for a moment and glanced back. With a very annoyed expression shown on his face, he retorted, "Didn't I already told you before? I don't need any help! Now, stop pestering me and leave me to die in peace!"

Toshiro threw a fist at the button, allowing the automatic door to open. After, he wheeled his way out of the room, leaving the nurse and the raven haired girl alone together. Kotetsu placed a hand over her elbow and let out a sigh of defeat. "What am I supposed to do with him?"

"Um..."

Remembering that the peach girl is in the room also, Isane turned to the young patient and apologized, "Oh, I'm very sorry you had to hear all that Hinamori."

"No, it's alright," Momo replied. "Um Isane-san, I know this is none of my business, but...did something happen that caused him to be this way?"

Taking a seat right next to the girl's bedside, the nurse let out a soft sigh and started explaining the past events which lead to the present. "According to a friend of his, Hitsugaya was a cheerful and kind person who is loved by everyone who knew him. He was born into a loving family and was raised to live a normal life until the events of one month ago changed all that. It was night time when it happened. Hitsugaya and his family were heading their way home from their trip to the amusement park when their car met with a speeding one at an intersection. Apparently, the person behind the wheel was drunk. So, he didn't notice that the streetlight turned red. When his father noticed the other driver, he tried hitting the breaks, but it was already too late. The two vehicles collided, causing a serious crash."

Hinamori placed a hand over her mouth, shocked by the news Isane is telling her.

"A few more vehicles got involved in the accident, but they managed to survive with minor injuries. However, their injuries are nothing compared to what happened to Hitsugaya's family and the drunk driver. They all died."

"Th-That's horrible!" Momo said.

Kotetsu nodded with agreement. "Yes, I know. Hitsugaya lost his family and has no one to take care of him. He is the only family member left alive."

"W-What was his condition back then?"

"When he was transferred to this hospital, Hitsugaya was in critical condition. Thankfully, with Dr. Unohana's assistance, his condition stabilized. On the other hand, it wasn't the same for his mental state. He didn't know his family had passed away because he was unconscious the whole time. When he did finally wake up, Hitsugaya was immediately informed. Since then, he wasn't the same. He loves his family dearly and to hear such unfortunate news, I don't blame him for losing himself."

"Poor Hitsugaya-kun...even after a month since it happened, it's still affecting him."

"He became a cold hearted child who stays isolated from reality."

"I see."

"Hitsugaya feels that he has no reason to live," Kotetsu explained. "As long as he continues to grieve over the loss of his family, the wound in his broken heart won't be able to heal his injuries anytime soon."

Toshiro looked through the large window to see the happy events that are taking place in the front of the hospital. Fully recovered patients were leaving the place with their loved ones; appearing all happy and excited to resume their daily lives once more.

"Hitsugaya," said a voice. Noticing the black braided haired doctor standing behind him from the window's reflection, the white haired patient didn't say a word and just listened. "Isane has told me that you haven't eaten yet. Please go back to your room and finish your meal."

Glancing down at the cell phone that is resting on his lap, he picked it up and flipped it open. After pressing a few buttons, he heard an audio message play back.

Hey Itoto-chan! It's me, Miyuki! I heard from Oto-san and Okaa-san that they're going to be working late. So, let's go out to that ice cream shop you always wanted to go to. Oh damn, the battery's running out. I need to recharge it when we get home. Well anyway, I'll wait for you at the usual spot. See you then! Love you!

Doctor Retsu Unohana closed her eyes and slightly tilted her head forward. She knows now is not a good time to be disturbing him during his moment of silence. All she could do is wait patiently until he finishes reminiscing.

Toshiro pressed a few more buttons before seeing a snapshot photograph on the small LCD screen. In the picture is a girl with chocolate brown hair and glowing green-blue eyes. Dressed in a school blue and white sailor outfit, she posed in front of the camera by showing her back while flicking her hair off to the side. Her best feature, a gentle smile is shown on her face. If only that nightmare never happened in the first place.

Letting out a silent sigh, he closed his cell phone and looked through the window to see the partly cloudy sky above him. "Onee-chan..."

Japanese Word Translations

Itoto-chan - Little Brother, Oto-san - Father, Okaa-san - Mother, Onee-chan - Big Sister

Author's Note: Poor Shiro-chan, he needs a hug. Yeah, he's quite the sadist...but then again, he's still experiencing trauma from that night. Things will get better...maybe. xD

On a side note, Bleach titles for Episode 273 and 274 have been announced! Yay, it's the battle and conclusion of the Hitsugaya versus Harribel fight!!! WOOT! There's less than a month until the episodes airs in Japan! I can't wait!

*ahem* Anyway, please review and sorry about the short chapter! It will be longer next time. Thanks!