Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! All copyrights go to Tite Kubo.
Author's Note: Yes, I'm on time for this week's update! Special thanks goes to my wonderful reviewers: k a y - t h i, KnowledgeandImagination, applestoapples, BLEACHISAWESOMEANDIMAWESOME XP, becomeafan, athfdrizzle, satomika, icyangel27, anime16, sweet miracle 'michu 17', HyourimaruIce, serenity095, superattackpea aka Samantha, NeonCookies O.o, Kaye. Shirogane, redpandagirl, justhewayouare, peachesandstrawberries, prettykat. Thank you so much for your support! Without any further delay, here is chapter eleven. Enjoy!
LEGEND
"Talking." "Thinking."
The Next Greatest Treasure
Chapter Eleven: Meant to Be
Princess Ume let out a dreamy sigh as she sat by the window in the living room, looking at the outdoor winter scenery. For the last couple of days, all she has been thinking about is the notorious thief that saved her life from possible death. She sighed again. "Aisu no Ryu, I wonder what you are doing right now."
During this time, Princess Momo came into the room with a tray of tea and cookies in her hands. She noticed her relative acting a little different than she usually does. After placing the tray on the table, the peach girl walked up to her and asked, "What's wrong Ume? Are you feeling okay? Do you need to take some medicine?"
Higashi snapped back to reality and turned her attention to the Princess of Seireitei. She quickly replied, "Oh, I'm alright; there's nothing wrong with me."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded with agreement. "Yes."
Hinamori picked up the teapot by the lid and the handle. She began serving green tea for the both of them. Once she is done, the raven haired girl pulled up a chair and sat next to her cousin. No words for the next few minutes because the two princesses were busy eating cookies, drinking tea, and thinking amongst themselves. All of a sudden, Ume turned to Momo and asked, "When did you realize your love for Captain Hitsugaya?"
At first, she was a little surprised at the question thrown at her from out of the blue, but it did not bother her. She placed a finger on her chin and closed her eyes, recalling the beginning of their blossoming relationship. The peach girl cracked a smile, opened her eyes, resumed her attention to her and answered, "It was back then when Toshiro was grieving over the loss of his grandmother. I didn't want him to stay depressed for long. So, I was at his side, trying to cheer him up. One way or another, I helped him get over it. After that, somehow...we just shared our first kiss. From that point on, I understood my feelings; I fell in love with him."
"How does it feel to be in love with him?"
"It feels...unreal. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm still living in a dream," Hinamori said, playing with the ring her boyfriend has given to her. "But it isn't; this is reality. I'm his girlfriend and future wife."
"I see."
Suddenly, a thought came into mind as Momo placed her hands together. "By any chance you asked me that question because you have a crush on someone?"
It is when Ume felt her cheeks heat up a bit. She lowered and turned her head to the side, trying to hide the expression on her face, but Hinamori is already aware of it.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." The princess smiled. "It will be a secret between us cousins."
With one look at her, Higashi began to realize something. After spending a couple of weeks with her, she has never really gotten to know the girl very well. She was too busy worrying about fulfilling the duties that her mother has requested her to do during her stay here. Ume played with her fingers for a bit before mumbling, "Yeah, I think I do."
"Really? Who is the lucky person you're interested in?"
She let out a dreamy sigh. Turning her attention to the scenery through the window, she answered, "We will meet again that's for sure. It is meant to be."
"I see," Momo replied. "It sort of reminds me of when Toshiro and I recently became a couple..."
Without any warning, Hitsugaya raised an arm up and sneezed into his kimono sleeve. "Are you alright, Captain Hitsugaya?" Izuru asked with concern. "Are you coming down with a cold?"
He let out a sigh before replying to the Trio Knight. "I'm fine, Kira. There's nothing wrong with me."
"If Hinamori finds out about it, I bet she would totally flip out," Renji commented.
"No kidding," Toshiro agreed. "She becomes such a Bed-Wetter when it comes to looking after my health."
"Even though you say that, deep inside, you're really happy that you're receiving such great attention from her," Rangiku said while gently elbowing him on the side.
The white haired captain let out an irritated growl and shooed her away. "Leave me alone, Matsumoto. There are already enough people poking fun of me."
She smiled back. "It can't be helped, Hitsugaya. You and Hinamori are just too adorable together!"
He folded his arms over his chest and shot her an icy glare.
"Okay, I'll shut up now."
"My my, aren't you all supposed to be doing your jobs?" asked a voice. Heads turned to see Captain Ichimaru and Hisagi joining in on the conversation. "You all are supposed to be guarding the front gate for possible intruders."
"Yes, we were supposed to do that until someone here decided to mess with me," Toshiro replied, keeping a close eye on the strawberry orange haired swordsman.
Unfortunately, it didn't faze her at all. She just happily smiled with delight. Likewise, Gin grinned with amusement. "Really? How interesting..."
He then gave him a stern look. "You two really have nothing better to do, don't you?"
"Who knows..."
"You got that right!" Matsumoto agreed.
Hitsugaya sighed with defeat. Unfortunately for him, with the two childhood friends together, they are just plain difficult to take care of. "Anyway, where's Nagara?" he asked. "I haven't seen him with Princess Higashi when I checked up on Momo."
"Come to think of it," Hisagi said. "I haven't seen him either."
"Maybe Ran-chan has finally influenced the guy to slack off for once," Gin suggested. All of a sudden, Matsumoto slapped him on the back of his head. The gray haired winced and placed his hand on the slapped area. "Ow, what was that about?"
She crossed her arms over her chest and turned her body to the side. She replied, "I don't know; for some reason, I just felt like hitting you."
"Now that's mean..."
"Right now, it's time to focus," Toshiro said. "I'll go back inside to check up on Hinamori and Princess Higashi before I walk around the palace, looking for Nagara. The rest of you are to stay on guard and follow Ichimaru's instructions when necessary."
"Yes sir!" the Trio Knights and Matsumoto exclaimed.
With a nod of agreement, he walked past the older genius saying, "I'll leave things to you."
A grin appeared on the older teenager's face. "Okay little captain; whatever you say."
With that said, Toshiro walked back into the Hinamori Palace to check up on his girlfriend and her cousin.
Once he is gone, Gin turned to his fellow allies and said, "Well everyone, shall we proceed with our daily duties?"
"Yes sir," Kira, Abarai, Hisagi, and Matsumoto replied in unison.
After that, Rangiku and Shuhei went one way while Renji and Izuru went the other. Together, they will do their best to protect their princess.
There was a gentle knock on the door. In response to the noise, the Princess of Seireitei called out to the person to enter the living room. On the other side of the door is the familiar face of her loving boyfriend. "Hey Momo, how are you doing?" Hitsugaya asked after closing the door behind him. He walked up to his sweet heart and gave her a kiss.
Hinamori smiled. "Hey Toshiro, what brings you here?"
"I came to check up on you in case anything has happened while I'm away."
"You're such a worrywart."
"I'm just doing my job as described."
Momo slowly shook her head, knowing that it's not the only reason he is looking out for her. "You're so modest, you know that?"
He then turned to the other princess, who is still at the window, daydreaming. At first, he raised an eyebrow, but then he turned to his fiancée and asked, "Is Princess Higashi alright?"
"The reason Ume is looking dazed like that is because she thinking about her crush."
"Is that so?" She nodded with agreement. "Now that I look back on it, it sort of reminds me of how you used to daydream about me."
"W-What are you talking about?"
Toshiro let out an amusing smirk. "Don't tell me you have already forgotten; you used to do that back when you were living at my place."
Hinamori's cheeks turned a few shades darker. "W-Well, it can't be helped! At the time, I wasn't aware of my feelings for you! Besides, I wasn't the only one who has the love syndrome. You were always trying to stay at my side wherever we go!"
"The only reason that happened was because I didn't want you to get lost in Rukongai."
"Sure you do...stop denying your feelings for me, Shiro-chan. You loved me since we first met and will continue to feel that way until the day you die."
"Look whose trying to be the observant one? I know you feel the same way too. That is why I highly doubt you'll break up with me and find someone else to love."
"Princess Ume, Princess Hinamori," Koji interrupted upon running into the room. "Oh Hitsugaya, you're here too."
"Is there something wrong?" Toshiro asked.
He walked up to the white haired captain, holding out a torn piece of paper. "Actually, one of your guardsmen wants me to give this to you."
The young captain accepted his offer and took a moment to analyze it. Judging from the tear, someone must have delivered this to the palace by an arrow shot or a thumb tack posting. He read the paper's written contents. His eyes soon narrowed.
"What's wrong Toshiro?" Hinamori asked.
"Tonight, Hi no Tori plans to steal the Mystic Fang from the palace."
She placed a hand over mouth. "No, she can't do that! That's my father's treasure!"
"Don't worry; I'll make sure that she doesn't get her hands on it."
Upon listening to the conversation, Ume's eyes were on Koji. He responded back with a serious look and a short nod. "I see; so, it's time to get moving, huh?"
She let out a silent sigh.
"Let's go and inform the others about this," Hitsugaya said.
Momo nodded with agreement. "Hai."
Toshiro then turned to the Princess of the Higashi Region and her bodyguard. "You two come with us just in case Hi no Tori decides ambush us now. She hasn't declared what time she is going to arrive."
"I understand," Ume replied.
"Alright, let's go."
As Hitsugaya escorted the two princesses to see the Trio Knights, Ichimaru, and Matsumoto, Nagara was following them closely from behind. He suddenly let out a grin. "It won't be long now until things around here turn very interesting."
All of a sudden, they felt the ground below them starting to shake. Everyone immediately got down to the floor and braced themselves in case there is any falling debris coming down. Once the small eruption was over, Hinamori asked, "What was that?"
"An explosion happened somewhere nearby," Toshiro explained. "It seems like Hi no Tori has already begun to make her move."
"Hitsugaya-taicho!" called out a voice. As the lovers got back on their feet, Kira, Hisagi, and Renji caught up with them. "Are you two alright?"
"We're fine; what exactly is happening?"
"Apparently, an explosion happened in the western quadrant of the palace," Shuhei explained.
"Ichimaru-taicho and Rangiku-san are already on their way there to check it out," Abarai added.
"Alright then, things are going to get dangerous from here on out," Hitsugaya instructed as he drew his long sword from his back. "You guys are to look after Momo and flee from this place. Don't even dare try coming back to help us, do you understand?"
"Yes sir!" the Trio Knights exclaimed in unison.
"Good; my suggestion is to hide somewhere in Rukongai. It will be easier for me to find you after this whole matter has been dealt with."
"Be careful Toshiro," Hinamori said.
It is when he turned to his princess and gave her a kiss. "I will Momo; we'll be together again soon."
Despite being dazed, she slowly nodded with agreement. "Hai."
He then resumed his attention to his allies. "I'm counting on you three."
"Leave it to us!" Renji said. "We won't let you down!"
"Alright, now go!"
With that said, the Trio Knights lead the princess away, leaving the white haired captain to perform his duties here. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh. By the time a thought has dawned to him, he raised his head and looked around.
"Where have Princess Higashi and Nagara disappeared to?"
References
Aisu no Ryu - Ice Dragon; Hitsugaya's codename as the notorious thief, Hi no Tori - Fire Bird; Princess Ume's codename as the female thief, Hai - Yes, Taicho - Captain
Author's Note: Oh shat, the palace has been attacked! What is going to happen next? Well, you just have to wait and find out in my next update! In the meantime, please review! Thanks.