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

Author's Note: Tired of waiting? Well, I have good news; I'm here with another update. Yay! Special thanks goes to my reviewers: WhitePrincessOfHope, icyangel27, AznInvasionGirl, cool!, KnowledgeandImagination, BLEACHISAWESOMEANDIMAWESOME XP, chococat450, athfdrizzle, applestoapples, Mei-tan, becomeafan, i-is-animefreak, Neko-cheung, Kaye. Shirogane, Pieps XD, and Epoch95. Thank you for your support! xD Without any further delays to keep you waiting, here is chapter three. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking." Voice Message from Toshiro's Older Sister, Miyuki Hitsugaya.

The Healing Heart

Part I - Hope and Friendship

Chapter Three: Friend

Momo woke up in the morning to the bright sun rays shining onto her face. She tried to turn her body to the side only to soon sit up and let out a yelp. She totally forgot about the cast on her right leg. "You're so noisy," said a voice.

The raven haired girl turned her head to the side to see the white haired boy already wide awake and playing with the buttons on his silver cell phone. She tilted her head forward, feeling bad for making him upset. "I-I'm sorry to wake you up," she apologized.

Suddenly, there is a gentle knock on the door. The peach girl turned her head to the side to see who is there while Hitsugaya merely ignored it. The door opened to reveal the black front braided haired doctor entering the room. At the same time, her assistant nurse also entering the room while pulling a shelf cart. "Good morning Hinamori," Unohana greeted.

"Ohayo Unohana-sensei, Isane-san," Momo greeted back, watching the doctor walk to her bedside.

"Morning," Kotetsu replied. Pulling out the small table at the side, she took a tray of food from the cart and moved it to the table. "Here's your breakfast."

Hinamori smiled. "Arigato."

With a nod of agreement, the tall woman then turned her attention to the white haired boy. Picking up the last tray of food from the cart, she carried it over to him. After pressing a few buttons on his cell phone, Hitsugaya felt her presence. Raising his head and turning it to the side, he asked, "What do you want?"

"Please Hitsugaya, don't act that way," Isane replied. She placed the tray of food on the side table. "Now, put your phone down for a bit and eat some breakfast."

Just as he is about to retort, Toshiro noticed behind Kotetsu is the smiling face of Doctor Unohana. However, despite it being a mere smile, it's sending him chills up his spine. With a flick of his finger, he closed his cell phone and put it down on his lap. Hitsugaya then sighed with defeat. "Fine..."

With that said, he slowly shifted his body to the side and began eating in silence. Isane sighed with relief and turned to her superior. "I'm sorry Unohana-sensei for making you come here."

She shook her head in response. "It's alright Isane," Retsu replied. "I might as well do a check up on him while I'm here anyway."

"I understand."

When Momo finished her morning meal, she placed her empty bowl down on the tray and placed her hands together. "Gochiso-sama!"

While Kotetsu took her tray away, Momo turned her attention to Hitsugaya, who also just finished eating his breakfast. Just after Isane took his tray away, Unohana approached him and said, "It's time for your bandages to be changed."

Slowly turning his body to the edge of the bed, he began to unbutton his pajama shirt. Once he is stripped of his upper clothing, Isane and Unohana got to work on changing his forehead and waist bandages. As Hinamori watched, she noticed a different expression on the boy's face. For the first time in front of her, he is expressing his sadness. The peach girl could only imagine the agony he's experiencing. He is always being constantly reminded of the dramatic events of that night.

As they were changing his bandages, Toshiro could suddenly hear the shrieking tires ringing in his ears which soon followed by crushing pieces of metal and the crashing broken glass fragments. But when he started picturing his bloody family in his thoughts, Hitsugaya raised his hands and wrapped them around himself. He leaned forward, desperately trying to stop the shaking that possessed his body. Upon noticing his reaction, Hinamori became concerned for him.

Isane and Retsu gave him some distance by taking a few steps back. Letting out a sigh of defeat, the tall nurse turned to her superior. "Unohana-sensei, should we give him an anesthetic?"

She slowly shook her head. "There is no need for that. From the looks of things, he is able to handle it just fine."

"I see..."

Once the shaking finally ceased, Toshiro placed his hands on his lap. He has finally calmed down. Stepping up to him once more, Unohana asked, "Are you feeling a little better?"

With a glance at the woman, he turned his gaze away. Once again, he has exposed his vulnerable side to others. He said, "What do you think?"

She gave him a small smile. "Now, let's finish changing those bandages of yours."

Momo let out a silent sigh, relieved that her roommate has recovered from his mental condition. It is still hard to believe that one dramatic event can cause so much pain and suffering. She could only hope that the white haired boy somehow is able to get over his past and concentrate on living a bright future.

"Here you go Hinamori."

After being handed a bowl of sliced peaches, Momo smiled at the nurse. "Thank you Isane-san and sorry about making you bring all the food to me."

"Don't worry about it," Kotetsu replied. "Besides, it's my job to make sure that you're happy and comfortable during your stay here."

Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. The two girls turned their heads to the side to see the slide door open, revealing a young nurse. "Sorry to disturb you Kotetsu-san, but Unohana-sensei needs your help right now."

"Alright then, I'll be there right away." With a short bow, the nurse quickly left the room. Isane turned to the raven haired girl. "I have to get going now. If you need anything else, I'll send someone to get it for you."

Momo nodded with agreement. "Arigato."

After that, Kotetsu left the room and closed the slide door behind her. Even though only a few seconds have passed by, the peach girl already started feeling bored. She let out a sigh and turned her attention to the side. It is when she noticed a small television hooked up in the top corner of the room. Knowing that she is able to be entertained for a while, Hinamori looked on the small table beside her to find a remote lying there. Just as she extended a hand out and tried to pick it up, her fingertips soon made contact with someone's hand. Recognizing who it belongs to, she raised her head up to see Hitsugaya also reaching for the electronic device. Suddenly, Momo pulled her hand away and started smiling at him.

"You can have it. I don't feel like watching television anymore."

It is when the white haired boy started giving her a weird look. Nevertheless, he picked up the remote, pointed it towards the television, and pressed a button to turn it on. After only a few seconds of watching, Hitsugaya began flipping channels with the remote. From time to time, he would stop for a moment to see if a particular channel interest him, but not long after, he changed to another one. It went on for about two minutes until he stopped on a nature show. Glancing to the side, he noticed the raven haired girl is fully intrigued by it. Judging by the expression on her face, she likes watching these type of programs. After a brief moment of thinking, he put the remote back on the side table and resumed his attention to the television.

At that moment, Momo glanced over and noticed. Even though he has been acting selfish to everyone, Toshiro does show some courtesy. She let out a faint smile and returned to watching the program. "Rangiku-san's right," she thought. "Hitsugaya-kun is a nice person if you overlook his rude attitude."

"I wouldn't be too surprised if a bunch of horny thugs kidnap and try to rape you," he suddenly commented.

Without another moment to think, Hinamori turned her attention to the white haired boy and pouted, "Mou Hitsugaya-kun, that's a mean comment to say! Also, is it even normal for a child like you to be knowing about stuff like that?"

It is when he glanced at her. He placed his right elbow on the arm table and rested his chin in the palm of his hand. With a stern look, Toshiro retorted, "Uruse..."

For the next few seconds, the two roommates glared at one another, totally forgetting that they were supposed to be minding their own business and watching television. The first time he met her, the impression he got from her is one of a pure innocence and happiness: a trait that his sister once possessed.

Suddenly, Toshiro adverted his gaze from the peach girl as thoughts about Miyuki Hitsugaya flooded in his thoughts. Momo noticed the change in his behaviour and became worried. Placing a hand down on the mattress, she leaned over to one side and asked with concern, "Ar-Are you alright?"

Realizing that he just showed his depressed face in her presence, the white haired boy quickly turned his back towards her. At that moment, he began wincing in pain while clutching his hand on his left arm. He has forgotten that it is in the middle of healing.

"Do you need me to call Unohana-sensei or Isane-san?" Hinamori asked.

"I'm fine," he finally replied.

"Are you su--"

Hitsugaya quickly sat up and turned to her. He suddenly yelled, "I said I'm fine!"

Momo fell silent. She really didn't know what to say to him. All her efforts to try to be friends with him have been all pushed away through his miseries and his stubbornness. Placing her hands on her lap, she lowered her head.

While Toshiro is about to go back to watching television, he suddenly stopped all movements. His eye twitched at the familiar feeling. Letting out a soft growl of frustration, he glanced back at the girl. Just as he suspected; it appears that he made her very sad. If he continued to sit there and do nothing, she might even start crying.

If there is one thing he hated the most, it is being in the presence of a depressed girl. He would always feel guilty as if it was his fault (even though most of the time, he has nothing to do with it). After contemplating what to do, Hitsugaya suddenly apologized to Hinamori, "Don't be upset, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to yell at you like that. Besides, you were only concerned about my health."

Noticing he is trying to comfort her, Momo turned her head to the side to see him gazing away from her. She let out a content smile to show that she is cheered up. Picking up her fork from her snack bowl, she stabbed it through a slice of peach. Holding it out for the white haired boy to see, she said, "Here, have a slice of peach. It's good for you."

He took look at Hinamori, then looked down at the peach, and then to the raven haired girl again. Finally, he raised his right hand out and accepted her offer. He ate the fruit slice from the fork. Once he is finished with it, Toshiro handed the utensil back to her. "T-Thanks..."

"No problem," Momo said. "You can have some more if you like. Besides, I don't think I can finish it all by myself."

He gulped. Ever since he started staying at Seireitei Hospital, he hasn't been getting his proper nutrients (ignoring the fact that Unohana sometimes forces him to eat). So, it's expected that he would be craving for food at a time like this. "Well, since you insist, I could eat the rest for you."

With that said, Hinamori handed the bowl over for Hitsugaya to eat. She has a good feeling from her recent act of kindness that she has finally gotten through to him. To her, it marked the beginning of a long and everlasting friendship.

When Dr. Unohana and Nurse Kotetsu came back to check up on their two patients, they found them silently watching television. Neither of them noticed their presence. "This channel's boring," Hitsugaya complained as he placed an elbow on the arm table and placed his right cheek on the palm of his hand. "I have already watched this episode about three times already."

"There's nothing wrong with watching re-runs," Hinamori said.

"I know there isn't wrong with it," he replied. "I just don't want to start memorizing the dialogue."

The peach girl turned her attention to the white haired boy. "M-Memorizing dialogue? Sugoi, are you really able to do that?"

"It's quite possible if he concentrates," interrupted a voice.

Momo turned her head to the other side and jumped at the sudden presence of their doctor and nurse. "Unohana-sensei, Isane-san! You were here all this time?" Hinamori asked.

Isane nodded with agreement. "We're sorry. We didn't mean to scare you."

"No, it's alright. Besides, it's healthy to get scared once in a while."

As the two girls continued their conversation together, Retsu has her full attention on Hitsugaya. Upon noticing her, the white haired boy crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow at her. In response, she walked to the side of his bed and let out a content smile. He looked over to the side to see that she is watching Momo. "It's nice to see that you're getting along well with her," Unohana suddenly said.

"She's alright," he quietly replied. "At least, she's better than my last roommate."

"Isane-san, I need some help going to the washroom," Hinamori said.

With a nod of agreement, the nurse walked to the side to pull out her wheelchair. After placing it on the edge of the bed, the peach girl slowly transferred seats and got herself comfortable. Holding onto the back handles, Kotetsu pushed her into the washroom which is located near the door.

Once they are gone, Hitsugaya picked up his cell phone from the side table and flipped it open. He pressed a few buttons before a voice message played back its recording.

Hello? Is this thing even on? Oh shit, it's recording! Eh, hey Itoto-chan! It's me again! I just wanted to know how is your first day in the sixth grade going so far. As for me, school at West Rukon Junior High has been pretty normal. Nothing much has changed except for the fact that we have a new transfer student joining us. She looked like a nice person. Maybe we can become good friends! Yes, I shall talk to her later. You should make a few new friends too Toshiro. I noticed that you never really hang out with anyone. Friends are good for you; they're the essential part of life. Aw, crap...I just remembered that I have a quiz coming up. Damn it, the teacher's giving them out in the next few minutes! Gotta go. Bye!

Suddenly, he closed his cell phone and placed it on his lap. Taking a moment to close his eyes, he began thinking to himself. For now, he will follow his sister's advice and allow his new friend to help cope with the troubles he has been experiencing since that dark day.

Japanese Word Translations

Ohayo - Good Morning, Sensei - Teacher/Doctor, Arigato - Thank You, Gochiso-sama - Thanks for the Food, Uruse - Shut Up, Sugoi - Amazing, Itoto-chan - Little Brother

Author's Note: Well, at least Hitsugaya is finally moving in the positive direction. Although it may take a while for him to fully recover from his miseries, he has Hinamori at his side. xD Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review! Thanks.