Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
A/N: More fluff. I need reviews please. Lots of them! I compiled chapters 1-5 together. It might look weird but don't be confused with the chapters. Chapter 17, still to come.
Chapter 16
Stronger
One arm was propped under his head while the other was lazily drawing circles on the back of her bare waist. His eyes closed.
Hinamori, too, closed her eyes and sighed, listening to the soft thuds of his heart.
They were half-covered and twisted in the bedcovers. Mindless of waking up late in the morning again.
"I can get use to this..." Hinamori broke the silence. Referring to how they made love first thing that morning.
"Hm. Me too." His lips slanted as his hand slid lower to glide over her buttock.
"So what am I suppose to call you once we're married?"
"Momo, I've rid off all responsibility on what else you can and cannot call me."
She laughed, her eyes closed; still lulled by the beating of his heart.
"Well, I'm going to be called Hitsugaya-fukutaicho. Hmm...I like how that sounds." She smiled, opening her bright brown eyes to look up at him.
"I like it too." He kissed her nose. It was silent for a while as they just gazed at each other.
"Have you thought about when you want to have it?" Toshiro asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"In springtime. Sometime in April, when the sakura trees in your garden bloom...What?" She noticed his slight change of mood.
He sighed. Running his hand through his hair. "It's just...that's a long time from now."
"Can't wait to get me in your bed taicho?" She teased.
"You can say that." Toushiro said, although serious. He's not a big fan of their current sleeping arrangements.
"It's just five months, Toushiro. Besides, that would give Rangiku-san enough time to plan it. She appointed herself our own wedding planner."
Hitsugaya snorted.
"I trust her with my life, I can trust her with our wedding can I? She also helped you pick out my ring and my dress, so I have no qualms. They're perfect." Hinamori was dreamily looking at the ring again on her hand, which she had splayed out in between them.
He tucked her hair in behind her ear, then pulled her face closer by the nape for a tender kiss. "You can have your wedding whenever you like. Just let me know when I need to be there...but don't take too long." He winked.
"Thank you..." She lightly brushed the soft white locks off to the side of his face, and stared into those beautiful turquoise eyes, "I love you."
"I love you."
Hinamori kissed his hand and leaned her cheek unto his palm, lingering in the moment. She then traced her middle finger on his bottom lip.
"So...what did you want to do for the rest of today?" She asked.
His stomach growled. That made them both laugh.
...
...
Almost everyone was late getting to the dining hall this morning due to the festival last night. Momo had insisted that she go by herself to check up on her division and just to meet him here.
"Congratulations on your engagement Hitsugaya-taicho. And nice touch for bringing on a perfect weather last night to honor the festival." Unohana said.
He respectfully acknowledged. "Thank you, Unohana-taicho."
Hinamori was still not there so he took this opportunity to talk to the 4th division captain about lending him help for the training sessions with Momo. Then was relieved when his conversation with the taicho ended just as she showed up.
"Sorry I'm late." She apologized as they were sitting down. He shrugged. Already handing her her plate of food.
"Mou...all the snow already melted... But anyway, I wanted to visit Oba-saan's house today, if that's okay with you Shiro-chan." Hinamori said as she placed the knapkins on his lap and on hers, also handing him the chopsticks. "It's been a month since I last visited."
"I'm okay with whatever you want to do today, Momo."
"Well that's so considerate of you, a nata."
Toushiro almost choked on his food, she laughed out so loud that it had the other shinigamis amusedly looking their way.
...
"It's still in great shape. Considering how old it must be." Hinamori said as she walked up the steps.
Toushiro was looking at the old porch; a place where they would spend most of their childhood afternoons watching the sunset.
"We have never visited this house together in decades, Shiro-chan! Ever since we graduated from the Academy. In a way, we sort of drifted apart after that..."
"Hm. Although I always knew where you were. Well, most of the time." He admitted.
They were inside the house now and Hinamori was staring out the open window looking out the garden; deep in her thoughts. He wrapped his arms from behind her shoulders, and felt the wet of her tear drop on his arm.
"I guess it was me who drifted away. I would be so lost sometimes, Shiro-chan, that I come here to visit to feel grounded again. I would search for you, on how we used to be but I didn't want to be a burden...especially...when you just became captain..." She started to stammer.
"Shhh...stop Momo. Let's leave if you're just going to cry, baka."
"Sorry. I'm getting all emotional." She suddenly felt foolish as she wiped her tears, laughing now.
He sighed. "I remember when I would wait for days sitting in front of this window until you showed up. I was excited but sort of dreading it at the same time, because I know you would just leave again and go back to that stupid Academy." He chuckled, and kissed the top of her head.
"I always came back, didn't I?" Hinamori faced him.
He nodded. "Yes. But it took you so long sometimes, that I just decided to follow you instead." How she forgets.
"Hmm. And look where we are now... engaged!" Looking at her ring again. "You think she would have been happy for us, Shiro-chan?" He held her hand and kissed her ring.
"Yes. Without a doubt."
So that's where they spent the rest of the afternoon. Gliding their hands on old furnitures and door frames as childhood memories form and flicker at the touch. Their peals of laughter can be heard as they even played a game of tag around the house. Although Toshiro was labeled a cheater for using shunpo.
They were now sitting on the porch and watched the sun set. Which silhouetted their fused form of pure content as they leaned on each other, side by side.
... ...
Hinamori woke up earlier than usual the next morning. Much earlier. She wanted to practice before training with Toshiro today. And everyday from now on. She decided.
It's just that she hates having him see her as this weak thing. Always needing his protection.
I need to be stronger for myself and for him. And that's just it too, she needs his strength to become stronger. I can't have him regretting his decision everytime he sees me get hurt.
She completely masked her reiatsu, and left him a note before flash-stepping to her division training grounds.
Toshiro woke up three hours later next to an empty space and immediately looked around the room. He focused on her reiatsu. She had been gone for awhile and wasn't even nearby.
He saw the note.
Shiro-chan,
I'll see you there.
Love, Momo
It didn't make him feel any better. "Tch." He scowled.
... ..
"Who's that over there?" Momo asked when she arrived. Indicating the other shinigami that was around their training vicinity. She stood about ten feet away from Toushiro, not wanting to waste any time.
"7th seat Oita Akihiro, from the 4th division. Just in case you burn my hand off or something." Toshiro explained.
She rolled her eyes. Good one, Toushiro. Like I'm really going to believe that.
"Where were you?" He asked, clearly not in a good mood.
"I had to check up on my division, I sort of wasn't there all day yesterday." She started to bite the nail on her thumb, a sure sign that she's hiding something.
"At two in the morning?"
"I have to warm up okay? I got a little stiff over the weekend." Which wasn't really a lie.
"Hinamori, you can warm up -"
"You're wasting time, Shiro-chan."
That didn't go well with him. He unsheathed Hyourinmarou and unmasked his full reiatsu, his temper getting the better of him.
Momo stood her ground. His reiatsu was so much more overwhelming this time.
He's pissed off. She had to grit her teeth together, clutching Tobiume's red hilt tighter; getting ready for an intense fight...
She's getting faster. Blocking almost all my attacks even without using kidou. She's keeping up with me, with my reiatsu on full tilt.
Toshiro watched her now. She's sitting down and had a pout on her lips; glaring at him while the 4th division healer focused on the top of her head.
"Oi Momo, you're burning the ends of my hair looking at me like that."
"I wasn't even hurt, Toushiro. You just saw a little blood and then freaked out."
"Actually, Hinamori-fukutaicho. Your skull had a crack and you were bleeding profusely. But you're healing pretty good." Said Akihiro.
Who asked you anyway?
Her expression made Hitsugaya laugh. His former mood already forgotten as he got down in front of her to meet her eyes.
"She'll be okay right, Akihiro?" He asked without taking his eyes off her. Gently touching her chin with his hand. Cringing inwardly when he remembered the blood oozing down her face. His guilt turning to frustration.
"Hai, Hitsugaya-taicho. Although nothing too rigorous for today and maybe tomorrow, Hinamori-fukutaicho."
"You'll be back here tomorrow right, Oita-kun? Because I am going to be here." Hinamori couldn't have hinted it much clearer. With a look of challenge to Hitsugaya.
"Uh...yes, of course Hinamori-fukutaicho."
Toshiro dropped his hand from her face. He grimaced before he stood up to turn away, the back of his haori arrogantly billowed.
Fuck. Why is she so stubborn?
"I have to go. I'll see you later, Hinamori."
... ... ..
He didn't have to say anything. He hates training with me. She thought in bewilderment.
I'm too weak, and he can't stand to see me hurt. What a bad combination.
Hinamori's musings were stopped when she opened her office to reveal the whole place almost surrounded by flowers. She read the closest bouquet bearing a note. It came from Soifon-taicho congratulating their recent engagement.
She smiled. How can I forget I just got engaged? Then she frowned. To someone who's not too happy with me right now.
Hinamori wrote thank you notes, then proceeded to do her paperwork until it was well past lunchtime.
He must be really upset.
Holding on to the fact that Toshiro can never stay angry at her, Momo undid her hairbun before knocking on his office door and let herself in. The room looked similar to her office, minus a bouquet or two.
He glanced up from writing something on a report, the furrow between his brow more prominent than usual.
"Hello Shiro-chan. I was waiting for you during lunch...but you didn't show up. So here I am." She awkwardly smiled.
"How are you feeling?"
"Normal and pain-free...ano...are you still mad at me?"
He sighed and put the pen down. "No, Momo. Of course not, don't be ridiculous." She flash-stepped to stand in between his legs, her hands cradled his face.
"Really? You really mean that?"
"Yes. I just thought we could take a day off tomorrow from training due to that injury."
"But I'm fine, Shiro-chan. Honestly."
"That injury was pretty serious, Hinamori."
"You know what, I didn't want to have to do this but I understand now, Toushiro. I'll just have to ask someone else..."
She was about to turn and leave, but he had already grasped her arm to keep her from moving.
"Wait. No." He was looking at the floor. "I don't know what your true motive is for all this nor do I want to intrude on your personal resolve, but you are already strong, Hinamori."
"No, I'm not."
"We all want to be stronger..." He said, more to himself. "Tch... I'll be there tomorrow, baka."
Resigned, he forced a smile. "Did you see all that? I couldn't find my desk at first." Indicating the display of flowers. "Matsumoto had to stop me from throwing it all away."
"Mine is worse! And...where is Rangiku-san by the way?"
Glad to have his 'over-protectiveness issues' out of the way. At least for now...
...
...
A/N: Please Review. Anata by itself is translated as my beloved, darling, honey, etc.. It also means "you" when one addresses a lover; over familiarity.