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

Author's Note: Hey everyone! I managed to come back early with another update! Yay! But gah, there are so many things to do; not only I'm in my final two weeks of school, I have my HitsuHina one-shots that are needed to be typed up before my holiday posting due date. There are also The 100 HitsuHina Themes Challenge, Forget Me Not, and this story to work on. So many things to do, but so little time to complete them. Sigh...if only school is already over for the year.

Anyway, special thanks goes to my wonderful reviewers: m0m0-hImE, tlg, MoonLightView, icyangel27, k a y - t h i, serenity095, KnowledgeandImagination, applestoapples, anime16, satomika, and superattackpea. Without any further delay, here is chapter eighteen. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking."

The Next Greatest Treasure

Chapter Eighteen: Countdown

"You sure know how to make an entrance."

With one glance at the white haired teenager, she let out a small grin. "That's because I have taken the time to learn it from a certain notorious thief who used to live in Rukongai."

"My dear niece, you have just saved me the trouble of coming over to Seireitei and kill you," Kyoko said.

After taking a step back, Hinamori raised her sword up at the Queen. "The both of us will come out of here alive."

"I know, once all this predicament is over, you two will get married and live a happily ever after. Well, let me tell you the bad news, your dreams won't come true. This is not a fairytale, but harsh reality." Suddenly, she pointed a finger at Toshiro. "No one in any country will ever accept a commoner like him to become ruler of the land!"

"We're well aware of the odds against us," Momo replied. "However, it is I, the Princess of Seireitei, who makes the ultimate decision. As the next heir to the throne, I will marry Toshiro whether they like it or not. For those who are against my decision, the future King will prove himself worthy for his place on the throne."

"Aww, your speech is so touching that it makes me want to puke!" Queen Higashi exclaimed. "Off with their heads!"

Intuitively, she swung her sword to the side and defended against Koji's sneak attack. As the two opponents got caught in a battle of dominance, Hitsugaya got on his feet and noticed two guards coming after him. With their swords drawn out, they tried to cut him as he was running towards them. However, Toshiro evaded the attack by stopping and taking a step back at the last minute.

As they regained balance, the white haired thief twisted his body around to the side and planted a fist deep into his gut. While the first guard went down, the second guard charged at him. Upon eye contact with him, Hitsugaya turned his body and raised his arm up. He chopped his wrist and made the guard drop his weapon. The guard growled at the notorious thief of Rukongai. "Just because you're a little smart kid, it doesn't mean you can defeat me!"

He threw a fist toward Toshiro's face, but it was easily caught by a single palm of his hand. The guard's eyes widened with surprise. "N-Nani?"

Without showing any form of sympathy, he mercilessly elbowed them down to the ground. "I'm only going to tell you this once, I'm not a kid."

By the time he turned his attention to the Queen of the Higashi Region, he noticed that she has gotten out and locked them inside the cell. "I would like to stay here, but I have some important matters to attend to. I have some taking over to do."

"Wait!" Hitsugaya called out as he tried to run after her only to be stopped by the dungeon bars. He pounded the bottoms of his fists against it and let out a growl. She has already left with the other guards. "Damn it!"

He then turned to see how his princess is doing. From the way things are, it seems like she has managed to keep up with him. He knew if things were to continue the way they are, it will be only a matter of time before the difference of experience show up.

"The battlefield needs to be bigger."

After thinking quickly, he took out his hidden needle and started picking on the lock.

Meanwhile, Momo moved to the side to dodge Koji's attack. However, she soon found that her back has met with the wall. Just as he thrust his sword, she rolled over and dodged the attack. While he was trying to pull out his sword from the wall, Hinamori ran to Hitsugaya's side. "Are you sure you're able to pick the lock?"

"Don't worry; my wrists are fine," he replied. "They're only covered with blood because I was clutching my hands over the injury on my abdomen."

She let out a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness you're alright."

All of a sudden, they heard a soft click.

"The lock is open!"

Without any warning, Nagara swung his sword down on them. In response to his attack, Momo stepped over to the side while Toshiro caught his sword with both his bare hands above his head. Using this opportunity, Hinamori threw her mask toward his face, blocking his sights on them. "Momo, this way!" she heard him call out.

The peach girl ran out of the cell first before he did the same. Once they were out, Toshiro closed and locked the cell while keeping Koji inside. With that done, the young lovers escaped from the dungeon to the second floor hallway.

Queen Kyoko retreated to the front courtyard of the castle where an army of guards are waiting. "Your Majesty," said one of the guards. "All the preparations are done. We are ready to go at any time."

"Good, now let's move out!" she exclaimed.

"Yes ma'am!" Assisted by her servants, she got into her carriage and closed the door shut. After a few horses let out a neigh, guards began their journey to the soon to be invaded land. "Next stop, Seireitei and Rukongai!"

Once they were gone, Ume came out of her hiding spot in the bushes while riding on Momo's horse. She heard the whole conversation.

The Princess of the Higashi Region pulled on the reigns causing the horse to let out a neigh. With a flick, she commanded her horse to closely follow the army from the Higashi Region. "I hope they take my word seriously and prepare for the arrival of my mother's army."

Captain Ichimaru was looking after his army, who were busy gathering their armour and sharpening their blades, when he heard the nearby door slam open. Heads turned to the side to see the red headed Trio Knight out of breath. "What's wrong, Renji?" Gin asked. "You look like you have just run a marathon."

Ignoring the older teenager's playful comment, he walked up to him and handed him a rolled up scroll. After putting his hands on his sides, he said, "Someone has sent a messenger bird to drop of this here."

Ichimaru unrolled the scroll and read its contents.

"Apparently, the sender is warning us that the Higashi Region army is coming to attack us. They will be at the border within a few hours."

"What should we do, Gin?" Matsumoto asked.

Once he's done, the Royal Guard Captain put the scroll on the table and said, "There's no more time to waste, everyone is to pack their stuff and wait in the courtyard. From there, I will explain our plan of attack."

"Yes sir!" the guards exclaimed.

"Izuru, Shuhei, Renji, and Ran-chan, we have a few things to go over right now."

They looked at one another before nodding with agreement. Gather around the gray haired captain, he went over the important issue he has brought up.

Hitsugaya kicked a door open to reveal a room filled with weapons. He and Momo stepped in and began searching through the stuff. "Why are we here, Toshiro?" the peach girl asked. "Shouldn't we be escaping?"

"We will do that once I recover my weapons," he replied. "Those guys took them away from me."

"I see..."

"By the way, how were you able to get a hold of Hi no Tori's clothes?"

"Ume let me borrow them."

All of a sudden, he stopped rummaging through the stuff. "So my guess is right after all. Hi no Tori's identity is the Princess of the Higashi Region."

Momo nodded with agreement, turned around, and said, "Don't be mad at her, she's on our side. She told me the whole story."

He then lowered his head. Turning to the peach girl, he asked, "Did...she tell you about her interest in me?"

There was a short pause. "Yes, she told me about you being her crush."

"I see..."

She let out a smile. "It's alright, Toshiro; I forgave her after hearing her talk about your rejection speech."

Hitsugaya's head shot up. "What? She told you how I rejected her?"

Momo nodded. "Yep, I think it's really sweet of you to say that you still love me."

Toshiro's turned a shade darker. Looking away from her, he muttered, "My words are not sweet, it's sappy. I had a difficult time trying not to hurt her feelings."

Walking up to the white haired captain, she took hold of his hands and gave him a peck on his lips. It didn't take long for him to give in and return her sentiments by doing the same.

"Where is she now?"

"Actually, I'm not quite sure," Hinamori admitted. "All she said that she is going to keep her distance away from me. You know, I'm currently acting as Hi no Tori."

"I see."

She looked over to the side and noticed something familiar. "Toshiro, I think your weapons are over there!" the princess pointed out. "They're all on the table!"

Walking over to the standing furniture, Hitsugaya began equipping himself with his kunais, shurikens, smoke bombs, explosives, grappling hook, and finally his long sword.

"Did you have everything?" Momo asked.

The white haired teenager nodded with agreement. "Yeah, let's get out of this dump."

"I beg to differ," said a voice. Toshiro and Momo turned their attention to the door to find Koji in their presence. With serious looks on their faces, both lovers drew their swords out. "I won't let you escape from this place."

"We'll see about that," Hinamori replied.

Hitsugaya threw a smoke bomb on the ground in front of them, concealing themselves in the smoke. During his moment of doubt, they used this opportunity to ambush him. Toshiro is the first to swing his sword at Nagara. However, his attempt failed because the jet black haired guard ducked down. At that moment, Momo raised her sword above her head and swing it down. Koji responded by defending against the attack with his sword.

It is when the white haired captain changed his grip on his bladed weapon and swung it toward his side. Just as he was about to strike, Hitsugaya's intuitive gut started bothering him. For some reason, he sensed danger from Queen Higashi's loyal servant. After carefully watching his opponent's movements, he confirmed that his intuition is correct. "Momo, pull away!" he suddenly exclaimed at the raven haired girl.

At that moment, she nodded with agreement and began to do what she was told. However, Nagara has already drawn several acupuncture needles between his fingers and commenced his attack on her. "No, I can't dodge him!"

It is when the Royal Guard Captain got in between them. With his long sword held horizontally across his face, he used both hands to tilt the blade a bit forward. After making the appropriate adjustments, light from the sun rays ended up reflecting into his opponent's eyes. His plan worked.

In response to his retaliation, Koji let out a wincing yell as he shut his eyes closed. He turned his body to the side as he covered his face with an arm. He yelled out, "You little bastard!"

"Let's go Momo!" Toshiro called out, ushering her to leave the room with him.

"Ah hai!" she replied back as she followed. The Royal Guard Captain and the Princess of Seireitei retreated upstairs to the upper level of the castle so that they can buy some time. They hid in the music room. After a several deep breaths, Hinamori asked, "Are you able to keep going with that injury, Toshiro?"

"I'm alright Momo; I won't let a simple injury get the better of me." She gave him a short nod. "Hopefully, I bought us enough time to escape. We have some catching up to do or else Queen Higashi invades Seireitei and Rukongai."

"I hope Ichimaru-taicho is aware that this might happen."

"It's alright," Hitsugaya replied. "Knowing that weirdo of a genius, he has already taken the necessary precautions. While we're away, he and the others will do their best to defend our country from being taken over to the likes of that aunt of yours."

References

Nani - What , Hai - Yes, Taicho - Captain

Author's Note: Now, all Toshiro and Momo needs to do is escape from the Higashi Castle. Will they be able to do it? Find out in my next update. In the meantime, please review! Thanks.