Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! All copyrights go to Tite Kubo.

Author's Note: OMG, the animation is so wonderful. Gin's fight against Ichigo looked so epic. Kyaa, Ichimaru is so awesome! *fangirl squeal* Anyway, now that I think about it, there's only about ten more chapters left until this story is complete. You know what that means; I have to start typing my storyline for my next HitsuHina story. Sorry folks, but I won't be spilling anything about it until a little later. It's a surprise. xD Anyway, special thanks goes to my reviewers: satomika, anime16, k a y - t h i, icyangel27, KnowledgeandImagination, applestoapples, HyourinmaruIce, superattackpea, tlg, and athfdrizzle. Thank you for taking the time to type in your comments for the previous chapter. Without any further delay, here is chapter fifteen of The Next Greatest Treasure. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking." Flash Back.

The Next Greatest Treasure

Chapter Fifteen: The Unexpected

"There he is; the intruder ran in that direction!"

The notorious thief of Rukongai, Aisu no Ryu glanced back to see he is being followed by a group of five or six men. When he resumed his attention to the front, he noticed that another group of guards have arrived at the intersection to block his way. However, he won't let them catch him so easily. He ran faster.

By the time he is within their attack range, the Royal Guard Captain in disguise quickly jumped into the air and landed on his opponent's sword. The owner of the sword raised his head to look at the thief. His eyes narrowed; irritated that he evaded his attack without breaking a sweat. "Why you..."

Hitsugaya pulled out a kunai from somewhere hidden in his clothes and held it out for his enemies to see. He is ready to fight back at any time. The first attacker swung his sword from the side in which he responded by lifted a foot up and slamming down on it. Using it as a catapult, he flipped in the air, dodging a second and third assault. Just as he landed in the middle of the crowd, Toshiro took out a second kunai from his sash and held them up in a diagonal cross position toward the sides of his face.

He landed on the ground on one knee. Once he stood up, he immediately ran past several guards, dodging every single attack they tried to injure him with. At the same time, he was swinging his two portable weapons around in various places. When he got out of crowd, he put away his kunais back where they belong. As he looked back, he saw all the guards' pants fall down to their ankles, leaving their underwear exposed.

Toshiro let out an amused grin (which they could not see because of his mask) before running away. "Heh, amateurs..."

"What the hell are you standing there, dumbfounded?" the leader exclaimed as he pulled up his bottom wear. "Pull your pants up and go after him. He is getting away!"

"Y-Yes sir!"

"Oi Matsumoto-san, is that all of them?" Kira called out from below.

Bending over the window, the strawberry orange haired swordsman placed a hand on the side of her lip and hollered back, "Yes, all the women have been freed from this place!"

"Okay Ran-chan, you go on and catch up with Hitsugaya-kun!" Ichimaru yelled. "We'll catch up with you later."

"Alright!"

Once they saw her go back inside, the Royal Guard Captain then turned to his subordinates. "Let us not waste time here. Izuru and Renji, you two are to break into the castle and assist Rangiku and the little captain. As for Shuhei and I, we'll take care of the guards out here."

The Trio Knights nodded with agreement. "Yes sir!"

With that said, the two younger knights each took their turns holding onto the rope and climb up. Just as Hisagi is about to reply back, they heard yelling sounds from a distance. They turned their bodies to the side to find the Hisagi guards running after them with their swords drawn. "Well, what do you know? The party has already started without us."

They drew their swords out and got ready for battle.

"Let the fun and games begin."

"Yes Ichimaru-taicho," Hisagi replied.

With that said, the two elder Royal Guard members charged into battle.

Queen Kyoko was about to take a sip from her tea when she felt a vibration. Irritated, she slammed the cup on the table, turned to her most faithful servant, and snapped, "Nagara, what is with all the commotion going on in the castle?"

With an apologetic bow, Koji replied, "I beg your pardon, your Majesty. However, I have received news that there are intruders lurking around."

She raised an eyebrow. "Intruders? Are they the brats from Seireitei and Rukongai?"

"As of right now, we have yet to confirm it." Leaning back against her throne seat, the ruler of the Higashi Region picked up her tea cup again. Just as her lips was about to make contact with the expensive material, he added, "Also, Princess Hinamori has escaped from her prison cell."

"WHAT?" she exclaimed, slamming and breaking her tea cup, not caring about the spilled liquid dripping onto the floor. "SHE ESCAPED FROM HER CELL?"

"Yes ma'am."

Kyoko stood up from her seat. "Those idiot guards, can't they do anything right for once?"

After walking down the steps and past her loyal guard, she placed her hands together behind her back. She said, "When this whole matter is over, be sure that their heads are off."

"Yes, you're Majesty."

There was a brief moment of silence. She glanced over her shoulder and asked, "Where is my daughter?"

"She is currently investigating the whole matter in the castle as Hi no Tori."

"I see," she replied. "Go Nagara and inform her that she is to recapture the Princess of Seireitei and kill every single intruder in this place."

"As you wish, Queen Kyoko."

The guards let out agonizing screams as Aisu no Ryu injured every single person that got in his way with his long sword. Noticing that he is approaching an intersection, he changed course and turned to the right. He glanced back to see that they're still following him. His eyes narrowed. "Damn, they're persistent."

Just as he turned to the left at the next intersection, he noticed something is thrown past over his head. By the time he stopped and turned around, there was a shining explosive that took place.

"That was a flash bomb," he wondered, "but who threw it?"

"I did that," replied a voice.

Recognizing who it is saying those words to him, he quickly turned around. Standing behind him is the one and only, Princess of Seireitei. "Momo, you escaped."

Letting out a soft smile, she nodded with agreement. "Yes, I did."

"Why are you wearing lipstick and how did you get your clothes stained in that makeup?"

"It's a long story. I'll explain it to you later."

Right now, he wanted to wrap his arms around and kiss her. However, that moment had to wait. "Stop intruder and you too, Princess Hinamori Momo!"

The peach girl immediately made eye contact with the thief of Rukongai. After he gave her a silent nod, she threw her spare sword in their direction. As they dodged the attack, Hitsugaya put away his sword back in its sheath. With his arms free, he carried his girlfriend in bridal style and ran off together.

"Don't let them get away!"

The guards chased after the two lovers through the hallway. After trying to come up with a way, an idea dawned to her. As her boyfriend made a turn, Momo snatched a medium sized vase and threw it toward the sealed window. As the glass broke, they quickly turned at the next corner. When they met with a door, Hitsugaya kicked at the area next to the doorknob and busted it open. From there, they entered the room and closed the door. After putting her down, they found a spot to hide from their enemies. While they remained silent as possible against the door, they listened to their voices.

"They jumped out of the window and escaped!"

"Hurry and get out there! They can't have gotten very far!"

All of a sudden, the door opened. In order to keep them from being discovered, Toshiro leaned against Momo with their bodies pressed and their faces in very close contact. They could feel the tension in their bodies, the racing of their heartbeats, and the heaviness of their breathing.

"They're definitely not in here. Let's move out!"

Once the door was closed and their footsteps leaving the area, the lovers closed their eyes and soon sighed with relief. "They're finally gone," Hinamori whispered.

Hitsugaya put his mouth mask down, leaving the accessory to dangle around his neck. "Yeah..."

They looked deeply into each others eyes. Unconsciously, they wrapped their arms around one another and before they knew it, they closed their eyes and started kissing. The flare, the passion, and the love: they missed it so much. It felt like a century has passed by since they last shared the moment together.

"Hn, how interesting..."

Pulling away from the white haired teenager, she asked, "What is it?"

He let out a smirk. "The lipstick you're wearing doesn't stain on me."

She giggled. "At least, you don't have to worry about the others noticing your recent actions."

"I sure don't have to," Toshiro replied. "I miss you so much, Momo and I'm sorry for not being able to stop them before."

"I don't be sorry," Hinamori said. "It can't be helped things happen that way. What matters now is that we're together."

The young thief nodded with agreement before giving her another kiss.

"Is everyone alright?"

After giving her a light kiss on her right cheek, he answered, "They're alive and well. We all came to save you."

She smiled. "Thank you for coming all this way."

"I would do anything to make sure you're safe, my princess."

"Oh Toshiro..." Just as they were about to engage themselves in another make out session, the door suddenly swung open, knocking the back of the young captain's head. He immediately arched over, placed his hands over his injury, and hissed in pain. At the same time, Hinamori became concerned for his health. "T-Toshiro, are you alright?"

"Ah Hinamori, is that your voice I'm hearing?" asked a voice.

When she raised her head, she saw the strawberry orange haired woman entering the room. "Rangiku-san!"

"I'm so glad that you're alri-Hitsugaya, what are you doing?"

In response to her question, the white haired thief shot her a glare. "My head hurts no thanks to you."

"You'll be fine."

"I beg to differ," he replied, numbing the aching injury with a hand. "I am certain that I lost a few brain cells from the impact."

"Yeah, as long as you don't turn stupid all of a sudden, then everything's going to be alright."

"Matsumoto..."

"There she is, after her!" exclaimed a voice.

"Well, now there's my cue." Rangiku slammed it shut and leaned against the door. Upon noticing that their enemies are trying to break down the door with brute force, Toshiro and Momo pitched in to help.

"What the hell, Matsumoto?" he asked. "If you knew that we were hiding in this room, you should have run elsewhere so that I can bring Momo to safety!"

"Well sorry, but I had found a way to get away from those men." All of a sudden, she started placing her hands on her assets which caused both Hitsugaya and Hinamori to blush with embarrassment. "A while ago, I think one of those men ended touching my breas-"

"Okay, that's enough! I don't want to hear anymore details about your bosoms!"

Without any warning, a blade pierced through right next to Matsumoto's cheek. She let out a shriek before retreating away from the door. As the lovers struggled to keep the guards from breaking in, Rangiku took a moment to check the condition of her strawberry orange hair. "Oh no, don't tell me what they just did!"

Suddenly, she drew her sword out from its sheath. Holding it tightly by the hilt, she said to her companions, "Stand back you two, it's time for me to bust in on their party."

With one look at her pale blue eyes, Hitsugaya quietly read the expression on the woman's face. She has now got the proper motivation to fight. On the other hand, Hinamori thought differently. "But Rangi-"

Aisu no Ryu put his hand in front of her, getting her attention. He shook his head.

"Toshiro..."

"Leave this matter to Matsumoto," he said. "She can handle this."

Eventually, she let out a defeated sigh. "Okay, be careful Rangiku-san."

The strawberry orange haired woman gave the princess a smile and a thumb up. "Don't worry Hinamori-hime, I promise to catch up with you and Hitsugaya once I'm done with cleaning up this mess here."

With a nod of agreement, Hitsugaya took his girlfriend by the hand. With his other hand, he put on his mouth mask back on. At that moment, the door slammed opened, revealing all the guards breaking in. It is when Matsumoto pulled out two dark spheres and threw it on the ground. As smoke filled in the room, the guards closed their eyes and began coughing hoarsely. "Let's go, Momo!" Toshiro exclaimed.

"H-Hai!" she replied.

Using this opportunity, Aisu no Ryu and the Princess of Seireitei escaped from the room, leaving the female swordsman behind. They kept running around the castle hallway without being spotted by any of the guards until they eventually met up with a few familiar faces.

"Kira-kun! Abarai-kun!"

"Hinamori-kun!" Izuru exclaimed as they continued running together.

"Hitsugaya-taicho, you found her," Renji said.

"Actually, she found me instead," Toshiro replied.

"Um, why are you three wearing female clothes?" she asked before stroking her finger against Kira's cheek. She took a look at her stained finger for a proper physical examination. "You're also wearing make up."

"I-It's a long story Hinamori-kun, w-we'll explain it after we get you out of here," Izuru replied while blushing with embarrassment.

"If you want a rough idea, it was Rangiku-san's idea," Abarai added.

"By the way, why are you wearing lipstick?"

"Um, I'll explain that story once we get out of here," Hinamori replied.

All of a sudden, Renji started stomping on his footwear. "Damn it, how are you girls able to run in these things?"

"To be honest, I really don't know the trick to it," Momo admitted. "I suppose all it takes is practice."

"Sir, the intruders have been spotted and Princess Hinamori is with them!" one of the guards exclaimed upon spotting them run by.

"Well, what are you standing there? Capture them right now!"

Moments later, they were surrounded by their enemies. As the others worried about them, one particular person is irritated with something else. Unable to hold it much longer, Renji took off both his footwear. "Try these on for size!"

He threw them at the faces of two of the guards, making them fall backwards.

"Now this is more like it."

"Are you sure you're going to be alright running in your socks?" Kira asked.

"Hey, those shoes are a pain in the ass to wear. Luckily for you, you don't have to wear them."

"Abarai, Kira, I want you two to get Momo out of here," Toshiro suddenly instructed. "It looks like the main force is here to stop us."

"We will fight with you and get out of this place together," Izuru said.

"No, I have a good feeling that the Queen and her strongest minions are now searching for us. If one of us gets caught as a group, we're all doomed."

"Toshiro," Hinamori said.

"Cover your mouths and noses!" The white haired thief took out several dark spheres and threw them around the hall. Smoke started filling the room causing the guards to start coughing. Luckily for the others, they followed Hitsugaya's instructions. "I'll run after you guys after I'm done with them and regroup with Matsumoto."

The two Trio Knights soon nodded with agreement. "Yes sir."

"Ichimaru should have found a way to let you guys out here safely. Go and find him."

"Toshiro," Momo said.

Looking her in the eyes, the white haired thief slowly let go of her hand. "I have to do this because it is for the future of our homeland. Seireitei and Rukongai wants their legible heir to the throne to be alive and well."

"Okay..."

"I'll be back soon." He embraced her in his arms and whispered in her ear, "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Come on Hinamori-kun, it's time to go," Kira said.

Once the two lovers are set apart once more, she turned to her childhood friend and nodded. "Okay, let's go."

With that said, the friends from Seireitei have left Aisu no Ryu with his duties. He removed his long sword from its sheath and prepared for one hell of a fight. His eyes narrowed. "It's only a matter of time until it begins."

In the end, his prediction was correct. It didn't take long for him to engage in a fight. Out of all opponents, it had to be her. Hi no Tori suddenly made her presence known from above. Just as she is about to cut him, Hitsugaya looked up and blocked the first attack with his sword. They battled one another for dominance until he suddenly pushed her away.

"Aisu no Ryu," she suddenly said. "What are you doing here?"

"Who knows," he replied in his voice changed tone. "You have to defeat me to find out!"

The two thieves clashed blades with one another. After swinging his sword at her a third time, he ducked to dodge her assault. He elbowed her in the gut causing her to wince in pain. Then, his next attack is followed by a diagonal sword swing. Unfortunately, Hi no Tori recovered quickly and evaded the strike. She ran off in a northern direction, trying to separate herself from the guards. With a bit of luck, she would be alone with her secret crush.

Hitsugaya followed her all the way to the grand hall before trading sword swings with one another. At one point, he threw a several shurikens in her direction in an attempt to slow her down. Once his efforts have paid off, he close in on her and cut her with his sword. Noticing what he is trying to do, Hi no Tori parried against his attack by changing the course of his sword swing with a kick. However, that is not the end of it. Aisu no Ryu retaliated by twisting his body around and throwing a kick himself. She blocked it with her arm.

"To be honest, I don't want to fight you anymore," Ume admitted.

"And why is it?" Toshiro asked.

"The reason is because...I-I love you."

All it took is a short matter of seconds before he could register the information in his mind. He pulled back, creating some distance between himself and the female thief. "W-What, you love me?"

She silently nodded with agreement. "Yes."

The eerie silence filled the grand hall for a few long moments as Hitsugaya tried to come up with a way to not hurt her feelings. She does have some qualities that caught his attention, but it is not enough to make him fall in love with her. It is not comparable to the deep feelings he has for the Princess of Seireitei. "I appreciate your honesty Hi no Tori, but...I don't have the same feelings for you," he explained. "To be honest, I'm in love with someone else. I'm really sorry, but please try to understand my sentime-"

All of a sudden, his eyes widened. After feeling something pierce through his body. When he looked down, he saw the blade of a sword stick out from the side of his abdomen. Before he could turn around and retaliate, he was hit hard on the back of his neck. As a result, his vision became blurry.

"S-Shit, I-I let my guard down..."

He closed his eyes and soon blacked out.

Ume was shocked at what happened. She raised her head up to see her bodyguard, Nagara Koji holding the unconscious injured thief by the wrists. "Good job Hi no Tori, you've caught one of the intruders," he said. "Now, let's see what's under that disguise."

With a short nod, she walked up to him. This is it; she is going to find out Aisu no Ryu's identity. Despite the nervousness, she extended a hand out and began to put down his cloak hood. Moments later, his mouth mask and finally his black bandanna are removed to reveal the culprit's face.

"Well, what do we have here? It turned out to be one of them after all."

"Oh my gosh, Aisu no Ryu is Captain Hitsugaya."

References

Aisu no Ryu - Ice Dragon; Hitsugaya's codename as the notorious thief of Rukongai, Taicho - Captain, Hai - Yes, Hime - Princess, Hi no Tori - Fire Bird; Princess Ume's codename as the thief of the Higashi Region

Author's Note: Just when we thought that everything has gone well, Toshiro had to be the replacement hostage. What's even worse is that they know his identity now! O.o Ah, what is going to happen next? Well, there's only one way to find out. You have to wait for the next update. Please review! Thanks.