Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Oh! Check out Page 12 CHAPTER 20, I added a paragraph after the sex scene. Hope you like.
A/N: Springbreak! Yes! Please review. I'm also going to update all my chapters to clean up mistakes and such, since I have the time. I won't change any major plots or anything. So it wouldn't hurt if you guys wanna reread it again :)...I'll let you know when I'm going to do that.
Please review!
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CHAPTER 22
...
...
There was a note on his desk. Toushiro immediately recognized his fukutaicho's handwriting.
Dearest Taicho,
Don't forget to get a haircut.
Matsumoto R. xoxoxo
P.S
Hi Shiro-chan,
I'm sorry but I wasn't allowed to write you letters unless supervised. But I just wanted to tell you that I'm doing fine.
:)
Love, Momo
...
Tch. This is ridiculous. Where the hell are they hiding her?
It's already Wednesday. It's been four days since he last saw Momo and he still hasn't come across a valid clue. Though he was no where close to giving up.
It didnt help either for his division to be missing a vice-captain, and now a captain who would always be out on a hunt. So he would opt to catch up with the work as much as he can before heading out, for the past three days. Leaving him with hardly enough time to search for Hinamori, let alone sleep...
He started towards his private garden, comforted to be surrounded by her lingering reiatsu from the blossoming trees. Grazing his hand over the lush green plants and flowers that lined the walls of the now much larger garden (Matsumoto had asked to have a wall moved farther to accommodate the guest list the week before.)
Patience. You'll see her in a couple of days. Hyourinmarou reminded.
Butt out.
Toushirou's frustrated search led him to the 11th division headquarters. His lips twitched.
There's still two days until the wedding. That's enough time to heal a broken bone...or two.
...
"My, my a little reckless aren't we Hitsugaya-taicho? Ever thought about joining the 11th division?" Observed Ikkaku; his shikai form already released fifteen minutes into the the fight. Realizing that the young captain didn't come here to play.
And as if he could read the other man's mind, "I didn't really come here to get recruited either." Retorted the captain as he blocked the Naginata-type weapon, missing a chance to slice his cheek.
Madarame chuckled while he cleanly dodged an undeniably fatal blow. "Nice..Hmm...I kinda like it when you're all riled up like this. We should try to kidnap Hinamori-san more often."
Hitsugaya smirked. "You can try. To walk, that is... after I cut your legs off!" He blocked again but by grabbing one end of the now three-sectioned staff and landing a kick on Ikkaku's face. Immediately freezing the ground, making the other man slip and land on his back.
Toushiro was standing over Madarame with the flat edge of his katana tapping the bald man's head.
"Now...mind telling me where they're hiding her?"
"Heh! And what makes you think I'm just going to tell you?" He laughingly scoffed, with that fight-seeking gleam in his eyes.
Hitsugaya cocked a brow. Shit... this is going to be a long day.
...
Matsumoto asked Yumichika (who was disguised as a girl shinigami) when he finally came back from the fourth division.
"How's Madarame?" They were in one of the hidden rooms under the Kuchiki manor, where they would sometimes hold the Women's Association meetings.
He shrugged. "He'll live. Fractured ribs and some fingers. Although his toes were frostbitten, he was a little upset about that."
"Mou...but you said writing that note will calm him down. You still think this is a good idea Rangiku-san? I feel like it's all my fault." Hinamori asked, biting her nails.
"Nonesense Hina-chan! You heard him. He'll live. And how about taicho?"
"Still prowling the city. Watch out Rangiku...he's out looking for the both of us." He warned, aware that the said taicho isn't labeled a 'prodigy' for no apparent reason.
"Eh...he won't find us here. Besides, we only have a couple days left until the wedding. Geeez...for him to be so reckless. So unlike taicho! Hina-chan, what did you do to him to be so desperate?" Insinuated Rangiku, with a slanted brow.
"Stop looking at me like that! I didn't do anything..." Momo blushed, so suddenly engrossed in filling out paperwork.
"In any case, Nemu said that these reiatsu concealers are very effective. It even disperses little false hints of our reiatsu in different places. Though she couldn't really say for how long it'd be good for. So just becareful." Yumichika reminded indicating the green armbands that they were wearing.
He yawned, "So...if you need me Rangiku I'll just be in the other room. Oh and here's Hitsugaya-taicho's montsuki and groom's haori. Don't peek, Hinamori-san!"
"I wont, Yumichika-kun." Momo yawned too. Tired from doing paperwork all day, "I hate doing all these reports. Sorry, I know I've said that about three times in the last hour."
"Rukia will be here soon to pick those up and deliver it for you..." Matsumoto was straightening the groom's suit, when she looked to see her friend already dozing off - - with pen still in hand. She touched Momo's forehead to check her temperature. Then sighed as she plucked the pen from the girl's limp hand to resume where she left off.
"Tsk. You just haven't been sleeping, Hina-chan." Recalling when Momo would cry in her sleep for the past four nights.
Mou...how bad are these nightmares of yours? Pouting when the dark circles under her friend's eyes were now visible.
Matsumoto remembered how helplesss she felt when she tried to hush her back to sleep. Hinamori would just apologize, highly embarrassed to be such a burden, and say that she's okay. Though Rangiku can still see her shoulders shake; huddled to suppress the silent sobs.
A knock interrupted her thoughts as Rukia's head peeked in through a hole from the ceiling; a smile plastered on her face,
"Oi, you have the papers ready for me?"
...
Later that night...
Matsumoto was woken up by a scream, Yumichika already had his katana unsheathed as he suddenly appeared at the door.
"It's okay, Hina-chan is just having one of her nightmares... go back to sleep."
"Shiro-chan..." Momo whimpered. She was still dreaming, turning and twisting in the futon. Her eyes suddenly opened, glad to see that Rangiku's bed was empty, when the violent sobs overtook her.
...
Toushiro felt the hairs on his arm stand, discerning a presence nearby. Within an instant, he instinctively grabbed and unsheathed Hyourinmarou as he pointed it's tip; a hair's breadth away from a slender neck. Her face concealed in the shadows.
"Tai..taicho, it's me."
"Matsumoto? What are you doing here? And your reiatsu..."
She swallowed loudly. Baka Rangiku! As she remembered the armband. You almost got your dumbass killed!
"Oh...ehehe I forgot to take this off. It hides our reiatsu." She guiltily smiled and shrugged.
So that's why I couldn't trace them... His frown became prominent, "What's wrong? Is Hinamori alright?"
"See, we have a problem. Her nightmares..."
He sighed. "Take me to her." Already sheathing his sword and shrugging on his robe but not bothering to tie it. He silently followed behind his fukutaicho as she flash-stepped to their 'hiding' place.
"She's right over here." The room was illuminated by the soft glow of a lamp, her futon was in one corner. Hinamori was facing the wall, balled up and hugging her knees.
Toushiro unclasped Hyourinmarou and knelt down to touch her shoulder. "Momo..."
She slowly turned, "Toushiro... is that you?"
Her lashes spiked from the tears that were shed; hiccupping from suppressing all the sobs. He disrobed and used it as an extra layer of cover for Hinamori. He laid down next to her, "Shh...it's okay now. I'm here, love... shh.." He kissed her forehead and held her tight.
Hinamori clung to him. The feeling of relief was something akin to that first unforeseeable intake of breath when drowning; when the fight for life has not yet abandoned one's heart even if death seemed inevitable. Hope.
My Shiro-chan... sleep slowly overcame her when all the fear dissipated, replaced by the comfort of his arms.
"Her dreams always this disturbing, taicho?"
Matsumoto asked towards the captain's muscled back. Yumichika also watched from behind her, surprised to see the young captain's usual stony countenance all but disregarded. The whole scene was just so endearingly candid that he couldn't seem to take his eyes off.
"Yes...at least when she knows I'm not readily close by. It's gotten morbid and worse after the coma..." He closed his eyes while his lips still touched her forehead. Remembering the scene; Hinamori on the floor with blood spewing out her mouth and abdomen. Aizen nonchalantly suggested to chop her body up in pieces to hide the evidence...
The muscles on his back clenched. He held her closer.
"I'm sorry, taicho. I had no idea."
It was quiet for awhile as he tried to shake off the violent thoughts. Hitsugaya started to speak, so low as to not disturb Momo.
"It's okay, Matsumoto. But I would like to have her sleep in her own quarters starting tomorrow. Just so she knows that I'm nearby. You can continue with this stupid nuptial rule, but I can't have her lose sleep. You understand?"
"Yes, taicho."
"Good. That is all, goodnight Matsumoto, Yumichika."
...
Momo woke up alone, yet rested. Though dark circles still marred her sleepy eyes. She snuggled closer to the pillow, inhaling his scent. And happily smiled.
It's Thursday. Only one more day...
"Oi, Hina-chan. Get ready, we got a busy day ahead of us."
"When has it not been busy lately? So...what's the plan?"
"You have to finish 'blooming' the garden. Rummage through all the pictures that taicho and you have taken together. Pickup the wedding bands, and Yourichi-san will be delivering all the stuff from the real world today. What else..." Matsumoto mused while brushing her hair.
"Pictures?"
"Yes. Don't tell me you don't have any?"
"I do...it's just that...he'll kill me if I showed anybody!"
"Why...hmm...Hina-chan, are they naughty pictures?"
"No, baka!"
"Well, what is it then?"
"I had to sneak around to get them. Only few are recent, thanks to Yachiru-chan. It's just...it's mostly of him... smiling." Momo was staring up the ceiling, with a dreamy look on her face; still hugging the pillow and sighed. So handsome...
Rangiku rolled her eyes. "Well, I need them okay?"
"Fine. Rangiku-san...can I ask you something?"
"Mm?"
"I read somewhere in modern weddings, that they have what you call 'maid of honors'? You will be my maid of honor right?"
"Wow...I'm impressed. You did research! I thought all you cared about was finishing these damned paperwork."
"Mou...Rangiku-san, I do care. It is my wedding after all." Momo grinned...
"Well, of course it's going to be me! Who else would it be?" Matsumoto winked.
...
It was past 9 pm when Momo was packing her things, wistfully looking around her room that she had inhabited for the past three decades...she'll miss her balcony most of all.
But then gazed at her engagement ring; excited at the thought of living with Toushiro. Already welcoming the restful sleep...and the ardent nights to come. She can feel her body warming at just the thought.
Ugh...control yourself Momo! She had to uphold her promise to Rangiku.
Something hit her on the head, then landed and rolled on the floor. It was a chappy doll. Hinamori beamed, picking up the stuffed toy and came out her balcony while donning her purple floral robe on the way out.
"Shiro-chan, is that you?" Looking over three floors down to see him standing outside in the snow.
Toushiro was looking up, a playful smirk plastered on his face. His haori gently billowing against the soft winter wind. She hugged the doll, and leaned her elbows on the banister.
"Oi, who else could it be. Other guys throw things from down here?"
She rolled her eyes. "I don't think they even know who I am, let alone where I live."
I highly doubt that. Taking notice as the robe clung to her voluptuous form, knowing exactly what she's wearing underneath. Her hair swaying with the wind. "So...did I get you?"
"Yeah, it hit me on the head."
"Yoshi!"
"You're so mean Shiro-chan..."
"Aren't you going to invite me to come in?"
Momo pretended to think about it and actually had an idea occur. "I'm not sure yet. It depends."
"Upon what?"
"Not before you promise to apologize to Ikkaku-kun tomorrow."
He almost doubled-over. But had to compose himself when a couple of shinigami walked passed. Who curiosly looked back and smiled at the soon-to-be-married couple.
"For what? Because they held you hostage?" His eyebrow cocked.
"You know why, Toushiro."
"Tch. Fine." He deserved it for not taking me seriously, he wanted to add.
"So are you coming up here or what?"
Hitsugaya looked around before using shunpo to kiss Momo back into her bedroom, sliding the doors shut without breaking their locked lips. His cold hands surprised her for a second, but then closed her eyes as she welcomed the familiar touch. Realizing that she's yearned for it; making her feel warm all over.
He took off his robes and tossed the chappy doll to the side, so he can cradle her face. Kissing her and guiding her towards the bed, gently laying her down as he settled on top of her. Momo moaned as she felt his tongue sliding in to taste...aware of his urgent need. It had been a week since they last touched each other like this.
She felt his hand slowly sliding up her thigh, hooking his thumb in her panties to slide it down her legs. Instantly reminding Momo of her promise to Rangiku. She stopped his hand midway down, and tilted her head to look up. Trying to grasp some of her senses back, especially when Toushiro unfastened her yukata and started to trail kisses down her neck...
"We can't. Stop, Toushiro."
He ignored her. She had to wriggle from underneath him and get off the bed. Then straightened and refastened her yukata...tight.
Momo picked up the chappy doll and sat with knees against her chest and her back against the wall - -the farthest wall away from him. She hugged the doll, then finally had the courage to glance at Toushiro who was still on the bed, with a most prominent bulge that stretched his hakama. He was glowering at the ceiling with a frustrated expression.
"I'm sorry Toushiro. But only after the wedding...you're not even suppose to be here with me right now." She delicately explained, biting her bottom lip.
Hitsugaya groaned and closed his eyes; covering his face with a pillow.
Kicking himself for not just having one of those 'gunshot' weddings that he heard about in the real world. It was quiet for awhile...
"I started packing my things today, Shiro-chan."
"Hm. Packing... for what?" Toushiro's voice was muffled, trying hard to sound interested.
"To come live with you."
That got his attention. He took the pillow off... a crooked smile dawned on his face when he saw the half-filled boxes littered on her bedroom floor. His sullen mood all but forgotten.
"That's right. I'm moving in whether you want me to or not." She confirmed, grinning.
"Come here, Momo."
Glad to see his change of demeanor, she happily curled up in his arms and kissed him on the cheek. With the chappy doll in between them.
"You're going to hug that thing all night?"
Hinamori giggled. "Thank you for this, Shiro-chan. I love it." Covering her mouth to yawn.
"You're welcome, Bed-wetter. And thank you." He kissed her forehead. Toushiro knew that they were eventually going to live together, but expected it to be a gradual process since she's so resolute on her independence; always apprehensive if she's become a burden to others.
So this was a pleasant surprise.
She yawned again, "Hmm.. although...Im really going to miss my balcony. But other than that..." she shrugged, mumbling the last part as she drifted off to sleep.
He brushed the bangs off her face and kissed the bridge of her nose.
Just one more day...
...
It was barely daybreak when Toushiro woke up to find Momo's brown eyes focused on his lips.
How long has she been awake?
She's deep in thought, though untroubled, while her eyes searched his face. Her perfect little teeth visible as she bites her bottom lip.
"Oi Momo...what-" His voice still gruff from sleep.
"Ohayo Toushiro." She softly pecked his lips.
He cleared his throat, "Ohayo...What's got you up this early?" Cutting to the chase and caressing her cheek. She needs her sleep.
"I was wondering...if it's not too much to ask...eto-"
"Just say it, Momo."
"I wanted to see if you can... please control the weather... make it nice and sunny tomorrow." She seemed embarrassed to ask for such a favor.
Hitsugaya almost rolled his eyes. Does she know that tomorrow is a very important day for him too?
"Of course, Bed-wetter."
"Thank you, Shiro-chan." ...
"Oi, why do you hesitate to ask me such things, Hinamori?"
"I don't know. I guess it feels like I'm taking advantage of it, being that you always give me what I want."
"You never ask for much, and I don't mind doing it. And...you're soon going to be my wife, so it's only natural." He shrugged and tucked her hair behind her ear.
She slowly smiled and looked down at her ring, absorbed in her own funny thoughts.
"What?"
"It's my last day to be an unmarried woman."
"Any regrets?" He joked.
"Marrying my best friend? No. Not one. But past mistakes I made that hurt you?...Tons." Hinamori somberly admitted...
"Hey Momo, I didn't mean anything by it. Forget I asked." Annoyed at himself for ruining the mood.
Momo stretched. Toushiro looked away when her yukata opened in the process, revealing her cleavage.
She placed a hand on his broad chest, fingers splayed while she slowly moved it along the length of his exposed torso.
Does he realize how beautiful he is?
Loving the way his skin feels against her touch... Hinamori sighed. She kissed the scar just below his shoulder and then got off the bed.
Hitsugaya propped both arms under his head and watched her move about the room while she got dressed. Glad to see her hair left unfettered; cascading freely down her back. The sunrise peeking through the curtained window illuminated her form as she fastened Tobiume by her hip. She glanced up and smiled... God, she's beautiful.
"I have to go, Shiro-chan. I'll see you...later." A gleam in her eye when she said the last word.
"Momo..."
"Yes?"
"You're such a tease, you know that?"
She laughed, already standing by the balcony to leave and meet with Rangiku. "I'll see you at the wedding, Toushiro."
"I'll be there. But promise me one thing."
"Anything."
"Don't be late."
...
A/N: Please review.