Chapter Ten: The Fall of Something Great

How...how did it come to this? When did it spiral out of control like this?...Where am I? I'm too tired to open my eyes to look. Are those voices? Whose are they? I feel like I'm floating...again.

Toshiro sat there beside her, watching the rise and fall of her chest. How did this happen? How could this have happened to them? To her? Why? Why?! WHY?! He held her hand, still but warm, it was a haunting comfort. His heart ached so much...it just made his whole body hurt along with it.

"Toshiro...the doctors said that she'll be okay." Granny whispered as she kissed the throbbing temple of her saddened grandson. "You love her...don't you?"

"...I do. I love her more then anything." He snorted before he lowered his head and shook it. "It all happened so damn fast. How could I fall so damn fast?"

"Love is like that. It makes you feel like you're floating and falling all at the same time. But it is never a bad thing if it's real." She patted his back as she watched the girl in question sleep, though she prayed that the slumber would not be a long one.

I...I remember...walking home today...from school. That's right, I was coming home alone today because Toshiro had to run some errands for his grandmother...We...we kissed goodbye...I remember that kiss, too...But, we aren't dating, just a peck on the lips between friends...

"When I find out who did this to her I swear I'll-!" Toshiro snarled as his fists shook with anger. "I'll break them! I'll tear them apart!"

"You're too late for that, Mr. Hitsugaya." The two observers turned to see the over looking doctor assigned to Hinamori. "She, during the attack, seemed to have shattered the arm of her assailant. I've only ever seen a bone broken like that on fighters by fighters. No doubt that was what saved her."

"Who was it?! Why would they hurt her like this?! Were they trying to kill her?!" Toshiro yelled, standing up from his seat to confront the doctor.

"I'm afraid I can not tell you that, but I do have some good news. Momo Hinamori will make a full recovery. The cuts are mostly flesh wounds and only one or two of them were deep. The only thing we must look out for is the stab wound to her side and that is only to watch for infections. She'll be home soon, but she will not be able to lift heavy objects for a month or so." The doctor smiled as he patted the young boy's shoulder. "I trust a strong lad like you will help her with that."

...I. heard someone say my name...I know that voice...Carla! It was Carla and her friends. Why were they following me? They were taunting me and...making fun of me again...but...then...she spoke of Toshiro and me. Were we dating? No, but she didn't believe me. Then she...

"Seems like our little peach is a fighter. I would never have guessed." Granny patted the girl's hand and then turned to her grandson. "Where did you find her?"

"Huh? Oh. Well it was like this..."

~ Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I smiled happily was I walked into the local flower shop, I was going to buy her some flowers and pass it off as a painting exercise. I knew she wouldn't really believe me, but I just don't have the courage to tell her I love her yet. It's not that I'm a coward...but every time I see her smile I just lose all thought.

I choose some lilies, peach in color because I found out recently that was her favorite fruit. I was checking my phone because Rangiku was telling me her findings so far. It seemed that Momo came from two towns over, it was quite a ways away, but what was more concerning was the fact that she found something about an accident. The article was old and not well kept due to the fact it was from a different town. The only thing that connected it to Hinamori was that her last name was used, though that doesn't mean it was her.

I had already done the chores Granny had given me. It was just picking up her dry cleaning and something to eat, nothing big. I was now on my way to Hinamori's house, to give her the flowers and to see if she was willing to let me work on the project some. She kept saying that she wanted to make some color charts and formulas so they could mix the paints correctly each time, and I believe her to a point, but I also believe she was stalling, too. It was fine though, she had scored a 'C' on her test and had given us until the end of the grading period to finish the work, we had plenty of time.

I noticed something odd on the sidewalk...red and rich...was that...blood? There was a trail of it, drops leading further down the concrete. It was still fresh too, staining my shoes and the scent still strong in the air. I quickened my pace, fear slowly creeping around my heart the further I came to her house. I tried to play it off, comfort myself with harmless possibilities, but the feeling of dread never left me and how could it, when the trail led me right to her house?

A small, red hand print lay upon the open door, smeared from the person who had placed it there. I ran inside only to have my nightmares come true. Momo was propped against her couch, hand clenching her side in an attempt to stop the trickle of blood that ran out of her like a small, slow moving stream. Her eyes were closed and her phone lay beside her on the floor. I moved to her, grabbed her shoulder to gain her attention, and asked her what happened. She only shook her head, said she was staining her carpet and that Byakuya would be mad at her. She was slipping into shock, concuss but unaware. I tried to ask her again, but she only held my hand with her free one, though the cuts on it told me it should be wrapped up instead of held. I hugged her, and for the first time in a long time, I shed a tear.

~ End Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~

"My goodness. She was able to make it home after all that and call for help?" Granny asked as she lifted her hand to her mouth.

"Yeah, she dialed for help and was trying to dial my number when she began to enter shock." Toshiro sighed his he held his head in his hands. "I...should've taken her with me! She wouldn't of gotten hurt if I had!" He felt his ear being pulled and looked at his grandmother.

"Don't blame yourself, Toshiro. You have to be cheerful for when she wakes up."

~ Hospital Entrance~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rangiku drove as fast as she could once she got the news that Hinamori had been attacked. She sneered and cursed the other motorists foolish enough to get in her way. Oh, how she wanted to rip someone's head off, how dare they hurt her Momo-chan! She made her way to the desk and asked the shy male nurse to see her, but was told that she was asleep and visiting hour was almost up anyway, then she noticed the file in his hands.

"Is that her files?"

"Yes, very thick for such a little thing. Seems that she's been in a good number of hospitals through out her life, really." The nurse sighed as he went to put them away.

"Can I have the copies?" Rangiku asked, but frowned when the man shook his head. A wicked smile came across her lips as she slowly began to unbutton a few bottons on her shirt, holding the boy's attention with each movement. "Can I have them now?" She asked in a sultry tone, smiling wider as he absent mindedly handed her the copies of all the young girl's files.

"You're a relative, right? I mean...you aren't a stalker or anything?" The nurse asked as he regained his focus.

"I'm her cousin." Was Rangiku's quick reply as she left the office and made her way to her car. She had to read these and quick - before anyone knew they were missing!

~ Hinamori's Room~~~~~~~~

I remember seeing the reflecting light of the blade, it was small and she didn't know how to hold it correctly, it seemed...I could hear her screaming at me that I wasn't deserving of his love before...her two friends began punching me and pulling my hair...I was...too shocked to do anything right away but that knife...I felt it cut my cheek and then I...

"When is she gonna wake up!" Hitsugaya growled as he paced the floor. "I'm almost out of time and I want to see her before I leave."

"You're acting like a dragon who lost their favorite jewel, Toshiro. Sit down and wait a while longer. The doctor said he may give us more time if she's feeling well enough." Granny replied to her still pacing grandson.

"I just can't sit anymore! I feel like I'm going crazy!" Toshiro snapped as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"You never were a patient type." Granny sighed as she folded her hands together in her lap and waited.

I remember fighting them then...The other girls were easily knocked off me, but then Carla stabbed me. I could see it coming but...I couldn't move fast enough. I stopped her though, from going further in by...her arm? I...remember feeling the bones snap...I can still...hear it, too. The Toshiro came and...A tear? It was rolling down his cheek...the light...why does it have to be so bright? My eyes...hurt...where am I again?

Momo groaned before she opened her eyes, quickly closing them due to the pain the sudden exposure to light caused. She could smell the scent of medicine and bleach, could feel the distinctive stiffness of hospital sheets beneath her fingertips...Another freaking hospital...great.

"Can we turn that off please?" Her voice was rough and hoarse, like she had been yelling for hours. A sudden gust of wind and the smell of cologne hit her nose and she knew Toshiro had rushed to her side.

"The light? Is it hurting you? I think it has a dimmer on it. Let me look." Toshiro rushed over to the switch and sighed as he found no such thing. "No dimmer, sorry."

"I didn't think so." Momo groaned as she tried to sit up, but Granny stopped her.

"You'll open your stitches, Momo-chan. You have to rest now."

"I'm fine, Granny. I just need to get off my back." Hinamori chuckled as Hitsugaya came to her bedside and helped her sit up, and slight blush on his cheeks since his face was so close to hers.

The doctor walked in, smiling as he told them of her injuries and the things she could and couldn't do. He told her that she can leave the hospital and go home as long as she took it easy. Toshiro helped her into their small car and drove her to his home. Granny had talked the young girl into stay with them for a few days before she returned to her own house. The two could see the wide smile playing on the old woman's lips...like she had something in store for them.