Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Compiled chapters 11-15...thats why the pages moved. Sorry for the confusion. I just cleaned up the mistakes and added some stuff. Reread if you like :) Please give me reviews people. Help me keep going! I see you read me but I need you to review also... I would love it! Pretty please?
A/N: This is a long one, hope you like. Lots of self-reflecting and getting deep into their love. I know, like it can get any deeper right? Hehe. Reviews are what really keeps me going guys! Thank you for reviewing! I need motivation! REVIEW PLEASE!
WATASHI NO KOKORO
CHAPTER 26
Always
...
Hitsugaya came back from his daily patrol of the island, entering from one of the outdoor openings of the villa. Considering his wife's somewhat capricious sleeping habits, he was a little surprised to find the bed empty. It is, after all, only 9 in the morning. He found her wearing his robe watching TV, in the living room area. Seated on the floor with one leg stretched out from underneath her while she munched on something from a bowl. A colorful box labeled 'fruit loops' right next to it.
"Oi, you're up early. Did you order breakfast?"
"Hm...just did." She said without looking away.
"Must you sit so close?"
Toushiro rolled his eyes when he didn't get a response and walked over back to the bedroom to change into his gigai. He was donning on a shirt at the same time trying to get the gist of what's got her rapt in front of the TV, but was interrupted by a knock...
"Momo. Food is here. Eat a proper breakfast before we head out –"
"Shhh! He just asked her to dance..."
Toushiro stood beside her and grabbed the remote to pause the movie. Picked her up and gently placed her on the couch, "Hey! I'm –" her next words were silenced by his soft lips.
"Ohayo, Bedwetter. Please, don't make me repeat myself...and what's this you're watching?"
"Pride and Prejudice. It's a very good movie."
"Ah. I see. Here...at least eat while you watch or I'll give away the ending."
Handing her a small plate of chopped fruits. "You will not! Wait...you've seen this already?"
"No. But I read the book ten years ago."
"Of course...so, then watch it with me."
Toushiro was already bringing their tray of food over to the couch, and sat next to her. He was immediately enthralled after the first few minutes and just had to point something out. He grabbed the remote again, waited for a scene and paused it.
"Ugh! What now Shiro-chan?" Hinamori was greatly annoyed.
"Elizabeth. She looks like you, whoever this actress is. Especially when her hair is up like that." Even her lips and teeth, and her skin...
"Well, thank you. I think she's beautiful. Now can we continue to watch the movie?"
"Who is she?"
Momo rolled her eyes, and pressed the button on the remote to display the information. "There. Kiera Knightly. Happy now?"
"Yes. Consider me a fan."
...
"So what did you think of the movie, Shiro-chan?"
Momo was in front of the mirror in her red bikini, brushing her hair as she glanced behind at his reflection. Toushiro was lying on the bed, with one arm behind his head wearing only his jeans. He was holding a book but she caught him perusing the lower back part of her body. She cleared her throat to get his attention, and he boyishly grinned – unabashed.
"Hm. It's good. Although, it's more romanticized in the movies of course. When in truth it's about the frivolities of human beings. The same selfish and petty species that we had sworn our lives to protect."
"Whoa! Tell me how you really feel, tensai. But I beg to differ."
"I'm sure we have different views on many things, Momo." His teal eyes unwavering.
And I want to hear all of it – we have the rest of our lifetime. After all, you first chose to be a shinigami while I just chose to follow wherever you are. Not because we shared the same beliefs. He inwardly added, knowing it somewhat disturbs her every time he mentions the reason he joined the Gotei 13 in the first place.
"We were human once...and what we have now, us being married, this honeymoon. Aren't all these derived from human traditions? And that somewhere out there, at the same exact time, that someone – human or not – is sharing a happy moment just like us... isn't all that worth protecting, Shiro-chan?"
Good point. "Yes."
"You act like you don't give a damn Toushiro, but you're an amazing captain because you do care. So don't give me that pretense of indifference. You remind me so much of Kuchiki-taicho...only more handsome." She added with a smile.
"So you think him handsome?" He joked.
She rolled her eyes, then sighed somberly. "Mou...we only have one more day left. Eto...where are we going again?" As he specifically instructed for her to wear jeans over her bikini.
"You'll find out soon enough."
...
The black thing looked fast even when it stood still.
"A motorcycle?"
"A bike. What I spend some of my past time on, when I'm in the real world."
"Ooh...teach me how to drive it! Is it faster than shunpo, Shiro-chan?"
He chuckled. "No. But I can make it close."
...
(A/N: I dedicate the song "Keep us" by Peter Bradley Adams in these scenes :) )
Their favorite time of day. The sun was setting; its soft orange light lined the horizon. Fleetingly beaming on their faces over the palm trees that bordered the island as they drifted past. Going at a steady, leisure speed of 50mph, Hitsugaya had gladly taken over the bike when Hinamori pushed it at 200mph.
She was somewhat languid, a little exhausted from just swimming with the dolphins, smiling. An experience indeed. Considered it in her list as one of the best times of her life. The list have been getting longer and longer lately...
"Oi, Hinamori keep your hands in. I already let you take your helmet off."
She ignored him as she slightly leaned back, looked up and raised her arms to the side; hair billowing against the wind. She closed her eyes. It's better than shunpo.Loving the continuous, unstaggered speed. It's a beautiful way to travel, especially to have Toushiro so close...
Momo watched the defined muscles on his forearms and biceps as he expertly and lithely controlled the bike. She softly kissed the spot just underneath his earlobe and wrapped her arms back around him and sighed. He smells so good...
Meanwhile Toushiro closed his eyes at the sensation. To have her like this...giving him full control of the direction and the speed of their life –even just for this brief moment –was exhilarating. If only...
"Tch. Sorry. I was...too preoccupied to notice ahead of time, Momo. But we'll be caught in a little bit of rain."
And sure enough, Momo felt the first wet drop on her cheek. But she placed her hand firmly on his shoulder, indicating for him to slow down as they now whizzed through. He turned his head to the side so to look at her when she said, "I don't mind. Let's drive a little while longer, Shiro-chan."
…..
It was barely dawn, although the skies much darkened by the passing of rain.
Toushiro was lying on his stomach, half-blanketed in the white bedcovers when he felt butterfly kisses trailing his shoulders and neck. His eyes were still shut when a sleepy smile crept up his lips. He groaned.
"I should have you arrested for assault, I'm unarmed at the moment." Referring to had just finished making love an hour ago, feeling quite spent and lethargic.
"Hmm...it's our last day here. I want to make the best of it."
Hitsugaya felt her naked body rub against his back, as she continued to kiss his neck; breathing in his scent. "And you lied taicho, for this is considered a weapon..." Reaching down to his groin and held his erection, gently stroking it until he turned around and pinned her, giggling underneath him.
He cradled her face, seizing her mouth in a heavy and sensual kiss. He eased his way into her already slick folds, and groaned in pleasure once fully embedded. She sighed, unlocking their lips to look into his eyes and say,
"I love you, Toushiro... I always have." Biting her bottom lip from the sweet sensation.
"I love you, Momo." He tenderly smiled, and watched as her chin tilt up when he started to move, "And I always will."
...
Three hours of sleep later...
****Ring****Ring
Toushiro pretended not to hear it. But she pulled away from his arms, "Who would be calling at this time?"
"Matsumoto. Ignore it. Go back to sleep." Too late. Hinamori had already reached for the phone by the bedside table.
"Rangiku-san?...Aaah! It's you! ...No, you first. What? All three? No way! ...Yesterday? Oh, we went bike riding and swam with the dolphins. Yes. Dolphins. No, they are not fishes, Rangiku-san." Momo laughed, and just realized how much she misses her dear friend.
...
...
...
The next day in Karakura Town...
They were on their way to stop by at Urahara's before taking the senkaimon gate to go home. Momo was excited despite having just ended their honeymoon. She wanted to see Yourichi-san since they didn't really get to spend much time at the wedding.
A girl about her height with dark shoulder-length hair, dressed in her school uniform, came out of the store. She looked very cute and a little familiar.
"Oi, Toushiro! What are you doing here?"
"Hello Karin. Just dropping off our gigais...what are you doing here?"
"Yuzu wanted me to buy her some candy on the way home. Oh, we have a soccer game tomorrow -you know, with the same old team. We still try to play as much as we can. You should come, Toushiro."
He chuckled. "No, sorry. But I can't."
Did he just laugh? Karin surprisingly noticed.
"Oi, aren't ya going to introduce me? Hi, I'm Kurosaki Karin. We never met before." She held out her right hand towards Momo.
And before Hinamori could say anything, "Oh sorry. Karin, this is my wife, Momo. "
"Huh? Wife?" She inadvertently withdrew her hand. Wife? Is he for real? But he never jokes. And my brother never mentioned... well then again, he never really talks about this shinigami business. So this is Momo... Toushiro have mentioned her a couple times before but –married?
He scratched the back of his head and grinned then turned to look at Hinamori, "Ah. Just got married last week."
"Hi Karin, nice to meet you. " Momo smiled, now holding out her hand. Karin sobered up and firmly shook it, albeit trying hard to ignore the pang of tears that threatened to fall. And eyeing the biggest diamond ring she had ever seen on the girl's left hand. As if she needed more proof.
"I...I'll be inside Shiro-chan, I have to go look for Yourichi-san. We have some catching up to do. See you later, Karin!" And hurriedly left to go into the shop.What's going on? Why did Karin looked so...crushed? And why are they so familiar with each other? Mou...calm down Momo. You're overreacting.
"Toushiro, she's very beautiful." She calls him 'Shiro-chan' and he doesn't even flinch at the childish nickname...
"Thank you." He smiled at his friend's compliment, though a bit concerned. His eyes followed where Hinamori suddenly disappeared to.
"Well, nice to see you again. I'll catch you later!" Running quickly away to hide the tears that now freely streamed down her face.
"Later, Karin."
...
The same day in Soul Society...
10th Division officers already lined up to greet and brief their captain the minute they exited the gate to Sereitei. Making Momo realize that their honeymoon is indeed over. The past week seemed surreal as she discreetly watched his now guarded expression while he debriefed his third seat. She sighed. Mou... back to reality.Taking note of the irony of it all, since they did just come back from the real world.
Abarai Renji was appointed her new Taicho. She was grateful for the news, however, when Rangiku had called to tell them while in their vacation.
Shuhei Hisagi took the 9th division, while Izuru Kira, as expected, took the 3rd division seat. They were back just in time for the official inauguration of the three captains. Sereitei bustled, accommodating to these big and important changes. And apparently, so did Hinamori.
It was well past 6pm when they were at the 10th Division sleeping quarters. She was laughing at something he said when she opened the bedroom door.
"Oh wait. Oops. This isn't your room." Already sliding the door closed.
"You're right, it isn't my room." Toushiro didn't budge from behind her and he was smiling like she wasn't in on the joke. "It's now our room, baka." He slid the doors open again, "Come look." Gesturing with his head for her to proceed inside.
It is the same, but larger... newly furnished and the ceiling is now vaulted, to accommodate a spiral staircase that lead to a balcony. It was elegantly constructed, situated against the wall with a large red ribbon shaped into a bow and tied to the banister.
Momo gasped. A hand on her open mouth as she looked up.
"Consider it your wedding present." He smiled crookedly.
"Shiro-chan...I feel so spoiled. This is too much! Meanwhile...eto...I didn't get you anything." Her head bowed as she fiddled with the ribbon.
"Fine. I'll have it taken out tommorow."
"Well, no don't do that! I love it..." Standing with her back against the staircase, as if to protect it. But calmed down when she saw he was joking. "Thank you...very much. But I didn't get you anything." She repeated.
"Oi, don't worry Momo. Just get yourself comfortable. I'll be in the office if you need me."
"Hai, Toushiro."
...
...
...
Renji's good friend and former sensei Ikkaku was seen often in the 5th squad's building, training the division officers as a favor since the current captain is busy trying to play catch up with the paperwork.
"This is the sixth time this week, Ikkaku-kun!" Hinamori exasperatedly scolded, healing the deep cut on the man's chin. "If this continues I'll have to ask the 4th division for some help, I'm not quite adept with healing you know." This is so unlike him... The fact that he's in the 11th division is proof enough, so these injuries were unexpected.
"Ittai...sorry Hinamori-san. I'll be careful next time." Said the man, which earned him a glare from the newly appointed captain.
"Mou...it's fine, Ikkaku-kun. Sorry for scolding you like that, I just had a lot of things to do...there." She daintily applied some ointment on the cut and smiled. "Like brand new,well, almost."
"Thank you, as always."
There was a knock on the door. Hinamori walked over to open it.
"Ready for lunch Hitsugaya-fukutaicho?"
The person behind the door asked, just low enough for her ears to hear. She dreamily sighed, perusing the man before her. He had on a dark blue scarf that she gave him from a past birthday, making his bright turquoise eyes stand out even more.
"Taicho, Shiro-chan is here to pick me up. I'm going to lunch, do you need anything before I leave?" Without breaking eye contact with her husband.
"No, of course, I'll see you later. Hey Hitsugaya-taicho."
"Hey Abarai-taicho, Ikkaku." Toushiro nodded.
Hinamori grabbed her cloak, "See you later Abarai-kun, Ikkaku-kun."
Renji waited for the door to close, and let the silence linger for a bit...
"You think I don't see what you're doing baka?" He asked Madarame, annoyed at his good friend. Who was now sitting in Hinamori's desk, holding one of her paperweights. Showing no signs of acknowledgement.
"Listen Madarame, she is off grounds you hear me? Of all the fucking women... you were just at her wedding two weeks ago!"
He acted like he didn't hear a word Renji said, and got up to look out the window. Then half-turned with a smirk, "Hey, you hungry?"
...
The dining hall was buzzing with chatter about the newly appointed captains. Some were grumbling, and some enthusiastic over the changes. The third division members were especially complaining about the captain being 'too serious'.
But a totally different course of subject on their table, however.
"So your birthday is in three days, what did you want to do Shiro-chan?"
"Get a year older."
"Well you're all excited. " She snorted.
"No more parties please, Momo. Just you and me."
"Hmmm...we'll eat dinner somewhere really nice. I'll ask Abarai-kun to let me off early."
"We don't have to do anything...oi, why is Ikkaku always there?" He nonchalantly asked, popping a piece of sushi in his mouth.
Momo shrugged, "He's Abarai-kun's good friend. And he trains the division while I help taicho with the paperwork. Ugh, which reminds me...it's gotten out of hand lately."
"But why everyday?"
"I don't know Toushiro. Why do you ask?"
His lieutenant appeared and plopped down in front of them. "Momo-chaaan, take a look at this. I've been meaning to show you..."
"How kawaii! Hisagi-san put our wedding pictures in the front page of the Sereitei Journal!" Exclaimed Momo.
Matsumoto brought a stack of the past week's copy of the newspaper, spreading it out on the table.
"Rangiku-san, look how beautiful my wedding gown is, I really had no idea..." She couldn't finish since her bottom lip started to quiver and tears started to well in her eyes.
"Must you cry Momo-chan? Geez. Save those tears for later and wait until we receive the completed picture albums. I'll have a box of tissue for the both of us!"
Toushiro rolled his eyes as he turned to face Momo and gently wiped her tears away. "Stop crying baka, people will start to think I beat you."
That made her laugh, feeling silly as she stood up. "Thank you, Rangiku-san...ano... I have to go now. Abarai-kun and I are drowning in paperwork today...I'll see you both later." They watched Momo grab an apple and a copy of the newspaper then disappeared.
"Ugh... always leaving so soon. I barely got a minute to play catch up with her all week!"
Hitsugaya felt the empty space beside him. Same here.
...
...
...
A few days later...
Hinamori came home early and went straight into his office.
"Happy birthday Shiro-chan! And as promised, no parties. I seriously had to beg Rangiku-san." She greeted him with a hug, for the second time today, once already this morning.
"Oi, you mean I can finally have you all to myself?" Having sent his fukutaicho home (which was moved - to Rangiku's delight - just a building away) for the day. But despite their new living arrangements, their time together had been sparse. Hinamori had been so busy this whole week with briefing Abarai that she would come home late at night, and would just be too exhausted to do anything else but sleep. Toushiro had been bogged down in Sereitei library to do more research, finding more of the facts on Aizen. Working much closer with Kyouraku and Ukitake as they compare their notes, trying to fit all the puzzle pieces together. Leaving no room for 'stolen' moments with his wife.
"Yes. I'm sorry, Toushiro. I have been neglecting you. And your birthday gift hasn't arrived yet, now it's going to be late." Momo said, visibly upset. Toushiro was playing ignorant, already untying her shihakusho and nuzzling her neck.
"Hmmm...that's funny. I thought I just opened it."
"Stop, not yet Toushiro. I brought a movie for us to watch...please?"
"Tch. What movie is that?" As if he could refuse.
"A romantic one."
It was their wedding. Very artfully documented into an hour and a half-long segment. Although it felt a little weird to see himself on the screen, but then just decided to focus on her the entire time. It had its comical moments like when Yachiru caught the bridal bouquet, and the garter landed on Byayuka's head. Yachiru didn't know what to do with it so she gave it to her Ken-chan, who drunkenly held it the entire night. Defeating the whole purpose of that wedding tradition. Then there was the cake-cutting part when Momo sliced a big piece and shoved it whole into his mouth, and he in turn retaliated with a kiss. Resulting in both their grinning faces smudged with white frosting.
"So...how did you like it?" She asked.
"One of the best movies I've come across."
"Hmmm...I have to agree."
...
It was still dark outside when Toushiro woke up faced with Hinamori's erect back. She was sitting up, with her head hung low.
"Hinamori?"
"Uuh.."
He reached to touch her, but she ran to the bathroom and locked the door. Toushiro immediately followed.
"Momo...are you alright? Open the door." He could hear her throwing up. Her reiatsu was fluctuating.
"No don't...don't come in." She heaved and coughed out more of her stomach's contents.
He was about to break the lock, when she threw something at the door. "Hitsugaya, if you force yourself in here I will not speak to you for the rest of today. Do you hear me?"
That got him to stop. What the hell? He ran his hands through his hair out of frustration, and sat down on the futon to wait it out. Debating with himself if he should ignore her threat and just open the door. He felt a little relieved when he heard her move and turn the water off.
His elbows were propped on his raised knees, one of his hand balled up in a fist while the other spanned over it and had it pressed against his closed mouth, trying to stay calm.
Momo managed to put all her hair in a bun and finally came out the bathroom looking collected, though a little pale. Ignoring his worried glare while she went about the room to dress. Must be something I ate last night, as she tried to remember what it was that was out of the ordinary. The birthday cake? Ugh. Who knows...Not looking forward to taking a trip to the 4th division, but knew it was inevitable when she felt those turquoise eyes boring down her back.
She faced the spiral stairs leading to the balcony to meditate with Tobiume, but half-turned to say,
"Toushiro, please. I'm fine."
"And you really expect me to believe that?"
"If it'll make you feel any better, I'll check myself in at the 4th Division. But for now, I do feel fine. It must be just something I ate." She didn't wait for a response but just ascended the stairs. Inwardly wishing she lived alone...
...
A/N: Sorry HitsuKarin fans, I had to squash that real quick. I love Karin and all, but it's not gonna happen. *Shrugs* Please review. Mention favorite parts. You know what my favorite part is? Is reading your reviews!