Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! All copyrights go to Tite Kubo.
Author's Note: Special thanks goes to my wonderful reviewers: becomeafan, icyangel27, tlg, MoonLightView, pinkbuddy36, Neko-cheung, KnowledgeandImagination, HyourinmaruIce, Kaye. Shirogane, Koneko144, lil'sayuri-chan, athfdrizzle, satomika, RebelAngel91210, serenity095, Samantha, NeonCookies O.o, applestoapples, bengara-koushi, livebankaishowcode002, strawberriespeaches, girlslikeboys, redpandagirl (x5). Thank you for your support. Without any further delay, here is chapter six. Enjoy!
LEGEND
"Talking." "Thinking."
The Next Greatest Treasure
Chapter Six: Stolen
Toshiro was supposed to be doing his daily paperwork during this time, but his thoughts are interfering with his actions. He is too busy thinking about the thief girl, Hi no Tori. "If Princess Higashi really is that thief, then what's her true motive for being here?" he thought. "There has to be an explanation for her actions."
"Ah Hitsugaya, you're supposed to be doing your paperwork!" Matsumoto exclaimed upon entering his office.
Placing his arm down, he gave her a stern look. "I don't need you to tell me that. What exactly are you here for? Weren't you supposed to be watching Momo and Princess Higashi?"
"Daijobou, the Trio Knights are taking care of them," she replied as she placed a tray of today's snack. "In the meantime, your beloved girlfriend has asked me to deliver some food to you."
"Thanks, but I'm not really hungry at the moment."
All of a sudden, a grin appeared on her face. "Are you sure about that? The snack that Hinamori asked me to bring you happens to be your favourite snack."
Upon hearing that, Hitsugaya gave her a glare. She just had to say that in order to get his attention. Being friends with him for so long, she knows him too well. "Just go away, Matsumoto."
She smiled and started leaving the room with her hands together on the back of her neck. "Sure, whatever you say, taicho."
Once she is gone, Toshiro leaned back against his chair and let out a sigh of defeat. Sometimes, he wonder why he's able to tolerate with the woman.
Hitsugaya picked up a slice of watermelon and began eating it. Thoughts about the thief girl returned to his thoughts. "Even if accuse her being that thief, how do I prove her guilty?"
Just after he took another bite out of his favourite snack, the door slammed opened as one of the Trio Knights ran into the room. "Hitsugaya-taicho! It's urgent news!" Izuru exclaimed, holding a piece of paper in his hand.
"What is it, Kira?" Toshiro asked, setting his food aside for a moment.
He handed him the note to read. "Hi no Tori has declared that she's going to steal the Fountain's Tear from the Yamazaki family tonight. The family has requested for our assistance."
"Alright then," he replied. "Please get Ichimaru in here. I'll talk to him about it."
"Hai Hitsugaya-taicho!"
With that said, the blond haired teenager left.
After quickly eating the rest of his watermelon slices, the gray haired captain came into the room. "Did you call for me, Hitsuga-" Ichimaru asked while watching the younger captain wipe the juices away from his mouth with his wrist. "Ara, it seems like I'm interrup-"
Toshiro shot him a glare. "Shut up Ichimaru, I just finished eating watermelon, that's all."
"Yes little captain, so why did you call me up for?"
Hitsugaya then held up the piece of paper that Kira has gave him a while ago. "Hi no Tori has threatened to steal a precious treasure from the Yamazaki family."
A grin appeared on his face. "I see; you want me and the Trio Knights to take care of this matter. In the meantime, you, Ran-chan, and Nagara-kun are to take care of the two princesses, am I right?"
"That's not the only reason. There is something I need to confirm while I'm with them. It's about Hi no Tori's identity."
"Is that so?" His grin turned wider, having a very good idea where he's getting at. "You're suspecting that the Princess of the Higashi Region is Hi no Tori."
"More or less..."
Hitsugaya then gave him a look. "You already thought about this, didn't you?"
"It's part of a Captain's duty to be several steps ahead of the enemy. Don't worry; I know exactly what you intend to do, Hitsugaya-kun."
He let out a sigh of defeat. "You better not mess up, Ichimaru."
"Do you really think I am capable of doing such a thing?"
"I think you're capable of doing a lot of things that seems unimaginable," the fifteen year old captain explained. "You knew from the start that Aizen was up to no good and decided to stay close to his side until the final moment."
"I had to or else he would have suspected me."
Toshiro folded his arms over his chest. "Either way, you like to plan things ahead of time."
"Just like you...and within a few years, you may be able to match wits with me," Gin pointed out. "For now, you still have a lot to learn about the world of royalty and riches."
The white haired captain gave him a stern look. "And that's coming from someone who was originally born into the lower class."
Gin smiled. "At least we both have some sort of mutual understanding."
"As long as you don't cause trouble for Matsumoto, I won't go after you."
"Yes, little captain," the older captain said as he began heading towards the door. "Now will you please excuse me, I shall go inform my dear followers, Izuru, Abarai-kun, and Hisagi-kun about our assigned task for tonight. In the meantime, be sure to protect your princess girlfriend with your life. Oh yes, be sure to look after Ran-chan for me, you know what she has a tendency to do during the night."
"Oh don't worry about that, she'll be working for her jug of sake for tonight."
"Ou, you're so strict."
"Just get out of here."
"Yes and bye bye!"
With that said, the gray haired captain of the Royal Guard left the room, leaving Hitsugaya alone in his barracks again. Leaning back against his seat, he let out a sigh of defeat. "Damn it, I could use another slice of watermelon right about now."
"Ou, what a pretty pendant you got there," Ume said after taking a look at the treasure that Momo presented for her to see. "Where did you get such a thing?"
The two princesses are sitting in the living room for their afternoon tea time. "I actually got it custom made from one of the Seireitei jewelery makers that my father introduced me to," Hinamori explained. "He told me that's the place where he usually gets all the nice things for my mother."
"I see; is this yours?"
The raven haired princess shook her head. "It's for Toshiro."
She raised an eyebrow. "Toshiro, you mean that white haired captain who is your boyfriend?"
Momo nodded with agreement. "Yes, he's the one."
"Why are you giving him such an expensive gift?"
Hinamori took a moment to put the dragon shaped pendant back in its small box. After closing the lid, she replied, "Actually, tomorrow's his birthday and I wanted to give him something nice for the occasion."
"That's pretty sweet of you."
"Thank you."
"I can see that you really care about him even if he's...a commoner."
"I don't care if Toshiro is a commoner or not. He loves me for who I am and I love him back for the same reason. That's all that matters to us. Because we both think that way, we're...planning to get married in the near future after everything in Rukongai and Seireitei are stable."
"Really? So, Captain Hitsugaya is going to be the new King of Seireitei?"
"Well, that's how it is since I'm currently the Princess of Seireitei who will become the new Queen someday."
Higashi looked back and forth to see if he's listening from anywhere. She leaned forward, placed a hand on the side of her lip and whispered, "Are you sure he has what it takes to run the kingdom with you?"
Momo nodded with agreement. "Even if he doesn't at the moment, he's willing to learn. I know he'll get the hang of it one way or another. Besides, he has already gotten used to working as Captain of the Royal Guard for about a month."
"Sorry to interrupt you two," Koji said upon entering the living room, "but will you please excuse Princess Higashi for a moment?"
"Alright then," Hinamori replied before resuming her attention to Ume. "We'll talk more again later, okay?"
"Thanks Momo; I'll see you later."
"Hai."
Once they entered her bedroom, Ume turned to Koji and asked, "What did you want me for?"
He then handed her a scrolled up letter. "Your mother has sent you a message. She got a messenger bird to deliver it to us."
"I see," she replied. The princess took a step forward and took the letter from his hand. After she unrolled it, she silently read it. At one point, her eyes narrowed at the important message inside. Once she is done, she returned her attention to Nagara.
"Do you understand what you're supposed to do next?"
"Yes."
Koji nodded with agreement. "Good. Remember, they must not find out."
"I understand."
"That's it."
"Alright."
"Remember you guys, do not let your guard down," Hitsugaya reminded. "Hi no Tori is a clever thief when it comes to her getaways."
"Though he says that, in reality, she's nothing compared to Hitsugaya-taicho back then he was still the notorious thief," Renji said to Kira and Hisagi.
"Oi Abarai, pay attention!"
"Yes captain."
"How scary Hitsugaya-kun can be," Gin said, grinning with delight.
"It's our job as members of the Royal Guard to maintain peace in the kingdom of Seireitei and Rukongai."
"Understood!" all the assigned guards said.
Hitsugaya then turned to Ichimaru. After a short nod of agreement from him, the gray haired captain turned his attention to his crew and said, "Well everyone, it's time for us to get going. See you later Hitsugaya-kun, take good care of the princesses. Let's go everyone!"
"Yes Captain Ichimaru!"
With that said, everyone who is assigned to do the mission, left the palace with the Trio Knights and the seventeen year old captain. Once they were gone, Hitsugaya let out a soft sigh and turned around. It's time for him to resume his duties to looking after his princess and Princess Higashi with Matsumoto and Nagara.
Blades clashed against one another several times before their respected owners are caught in a deadlock. "You're softening up Hinamori," Rangiku said. "Maintain your focus!"
"H-Hai!"
The strawberry orange haired woman pushed her back so that space between them can be created. Moments later, the peach princess charged at her. Just as she is about to thrust, Matsumoto evaded to one side, dodging her attack. Reacting quickly to her actions, Momo did a full twist to the side. Using its momentum, she swung her sword at Rangiku. In the nick of time, the older swordsman held her sword horizontally above her head and defended against her assault.
As the two friends are sparring with one another, Toshiro entered the training room and noticed them. He then took a moment to scan the area for the two guests who are staying here. He asked, "Where are Princess Higashi and Nagara?"
Upon hearing his voice, Rangiku and Momo stopped what they were doing and turned to the white haired captain. "Hey Hitsugaya," Matsumoto replied. "Princess Higashi went to the washroom. Nagara went with her to make sure nothing happens to her."
He narrowed his eyes for a brief moment. "I see."
Noticing her boyfriend is putting up a serious face, she took a step forward and asked, "Toshiro, is there something wrong?"
He turned his body to the side and answered, "I just wanted to know where they are, that's all."
Though he said that, Momo knew that what he meant isn't so. As a matter of fact, it's something that can potentially endanger her. As a friend, guard, and lover, he cares about her safety and well-being. Walking up to him, she took hold of his hand. When he noticed, Hitsugaya looked back to see the soft smile on his princess' face. "Momo?"
"Can we talk for a bit?"
Knowing that Matsumoto is around, he raised his head to see where she is only to find out that she's already gone. He let out a sigh and slowly shook his head. "That woman...she's definitely going to tease me after this."
He returned his attention to the raven haired girl.
"Of course, what is it?"
It is when Momo started to fiddle with the small box in her hands behind her back. Even though she is ready, her mind seems to be having difficulty co-operating with her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "It's alright; he's going to love it. Stop being so nervous and give it to him."
"Don't tell me you've been wetting the bed again."
"Mou, I did not!" she pouted.
Hitsugaya let out a smirk. "Well, what am I supposed to say? You looked very nervous about something and it's not helping me."
Hinamori then let out a faint smile. "So, you noticed I was feeling that way."
He placed a hand on her back and pulled her close. After leaning over, he whispered in her ear, "Of course I do. Why wouldn't I notice?"
Toshiro gave her a loving lip kiss in which Momo immediately accepted and returned. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," he replied. "Now, are you ready to tell me?"
With a nod of agreement, Momo began hold up the present for him to see. At that moment, Hitsugaya heard something. Instinctively, he turned around and placed an arm out in front of his princess.
"What's going on?" she asked.
He looked and noticed a thick cloud of smoke covering them. The two teenagers began coughing. All of a sudden, Toshiro felt himself becoming quite drowsy. Knowing what he and Hinamori is inflicted with, he struggled to stay awake. However, he's fighting a losing battle. "S-Shit...this is...sleeping...gas."
Toshiro and Momo soon collapsed on the floor and blacked out.
"Hitsugaya..."
His hand twitched.
"Hitsugaya-kun, it's time to wake up..."
He stirred for a bit before his emerald-teal eyes started opening. The first thing he saw is the faces of Ichimaru Gin and Matsumoto Rangiku close to his own. He gave them a glare and retorted, "You two idiots, get out of my face."
"Well, prince charming has finally woken up from his deep sleep," the gray haired captain teased. "It took you long enough."
After let out a small groan, Toshiro sat up and placed a hand on his head. He asked, "What the hell happened while I was unconscious?"
"Captain Hitsugaya, I'm glad you're alright," said another voice.
He turned his head to the side to see Princess Ume and Nagara in his presence.
"However, please don't be alarmed."
The fifteen year old teenager then raised an eyebrow. "Princess Higashi, what are you talking about? Why would I be alarmed?"
"I can't find Momo anywhere."
"Momo?" Upon remembering her, he looked around the room to find the princess nowhere in sight. He turned to all his comrades. "Do you guys know where she is?"
Matsumoto slowly shook her head. "We've looked everywhere."
Kira nodded with agreement. "We've looked in and outside the palace walls."
"The princess is nowhere to be found," Hisagi added.
"Sorry Hitsugaya-taicho," Renji apologized.
It is when he began to worry. Lowering his head, he concluded, "I see; she has been kidnapped."
References
Hi no Tori - Fire Bird; Ume's codename as the female thief, Daijobou - It's Alright, Taicho - Captain, Hai - Yes
Author's Note: Gah, Momo's kidnapped, but by who? What will Toshiro do? Well, you just have to wait and find out in my next update. In the meantime, please review! Thanks.