Disclaimer: I Do not own Bleach.

Changed some facts. Karin shouldn't be off to college yet, since Ichigo is in his senior year. So Karin and Yuzu should only be in high school...not going off to college. Sorry. The change should have been in chapter 26.

A/N: Yoshi! Got to squeeze in this chapter before the finals. Woohooo! Please review guys, even the silent readers –give me something please! I need it. REVIEW!

WATASHI NO KOKORO

Chapter 28

…...

Momo,

I had to leave early due to a meeting. Didn't want to wake you.

Shiro-chan.

P.S

I love you.

More than watermelons...I think. :)

She sleepily smiled after reading it, but then stopped. Mou...this could possibly mean he has to leave again.

Hinamori groggily flopped her head back down on the pillow with a pout. She closed her eyes...then opened them again as she touched her swollen lips, recalling what had transpired. Wonderment slowly replaced the pout on her face.

Last night was pretty...intense.

Toushiro was trying to be gentle but was overcome with this raw need. There were some parts of her body that were still very tender, also branded by a couple of bite marks...she blushed, for she wouldn't mind another night like this one. Momo burrowed deeper in the blankets to try and catch another 15 minutes of sleep but groaned when she saw the time; reluctantly getting up and then got dressed.

She entered the office to find it empty and started on the reports that were sitting on her taicho's cluttered desk. Humming while she continued to work at a productive pace.

The captain came back just right before lunch, looking a little agitated as he sat down.

"Ohayo, Abarai-taicho."

"Ah. Ohayo." ...

"So how was the meeting Abarai-kun?"

Renji tried to choose his words carefully, but then just abandoned the whole idea. "We're going to the real world tomorrow. There were some fucking serious arrancars who showed up looking for Ichigo, and even hurt Inoue."

Momo gasped. Inoue-san? No. "How are they?"

"We're not sure. Knowing Ichigo, he's probably beating himself up for getting Inoue hurt. We're leaving tomorrow, Hitsugaya-taicho and I."

"So what time did you want me here in the morning?"

He cleared his throat. Here goes... "You're not going Hinamori-san. I need you to stay."

"But I'm your vice-captain."

"And as your captain, I say you're not going."

Damn...that's why he hesitated to tell me what happened. She could smell Toushiro all over this decision.

"Very well. But can you tell me this, was there a certain... influence on your choice to have me stay?"

"...No."

Her brown eyes narrowed. "You've always been terrible at lying, Abarai-kun." She walked over and looked out the window with her arms crossed. It was silent for awhile...

"Do you mind if I go to lunch now, taicho?"

"No, please go ahead." Renji saw his lieutenant's petulant and determined look on the way out. Great. How did I get mixed into this?

...

Hinamori didnt even bother to knock, but just walked in.

"Hitsugaya, can I talk to you for a minute?"

His arms were crossed while he was perusing a map of Karakura (with hollow activity represented by black dots) that was spread out on the office wall. One of his brow already raised when he slowly looked over his shoulder to find his wife, fuming. Her reiatsu indicated as much.

This doesn't look good, Matsumoto quickly noticed. "Uhhm... pardon me, but I'm late meeting Kira for lunch. Bye!" Momo waited for the door to close...

"I want to go too."

"Shouldn't you ask your captain?"

"Stop it, Toushiro. You really must think I'm stupid."

He turned and continued to study the map. "Tch...Momo, you know why I can't have you go-"

"But I'm fine." She said, annoyed.

"You went to see Unohana?"

"No. So...I'm allowed to go if she says I'm fine?"

"...Sure...but no, there are already enough officers assigned on this mission-" they were interrupted by a knock. "Yes?"

"Excuse me Hitsugaya-taicho, Hitsugaya-fukutaicho," it was his 6th seat officer, "but Soifon-taicho is here to see you."

"Ah. Let her in. Momo, can we talk about this later?"

Her shoulders slumped, "As you wish... later, then."

Toushiro had to look away so he doesn't have to see his wife so disheartened. Almost making him change his mind, but held firm when his focus reverted back to the map...

...

...

"Why, Hitsugaya-fukutaicho, I haven't seen you since the wedding, which is a good thing, ne?" Unohana cheerily greeted.

"Hello taicho. I'm sorry to bother you today, but it's kind of an emergency."

"That's the code we live by around here. Don't fret. So, what seems to be the emergency?"

"Uhmm...Toushiro always worries...ano...and he doesn't want me to go with them to the real world tomorrow until I get a clean bill of health from you. Abarai-taicho is going too, so I need to be there as well."

"I see...then let's find out okay?" The taicho started to check her pulse and stuck that familiar instrument in her mouth again; gently holding her face to make eye contact. "Don't give your husband a hard time. He worries because he was so close to losing you, ne?" And all Hinamori could do was nod to the woman's unwavering stare.

"Well let's see here...hmmm...do you mind if I do some more tests? Please lie down...this might sting a little, Hitsugaya-san..."

…

Momo realized that she's been waiting for an hour now as she twiddled with her thumbs. Recalling when Unohana almost forgot to tell her that she'll be back, before hurriedly leaving the room.

Hm. Must have gotten busy on more pressing matters. Feeling guilty to have shown up unannounced.

She looked around the room and grimaced at the all-too familiar white walls of the facility. It gives her the creeps everytime, educing memories of waking up from the coma; her entire body still numb and paralyzed. She spent hundreds and thousands of hours faced with the blankness, mustering all her strength to try and utter a word or move a finger. Momo remembered being so angry that she wished herself dead; she had been so weak.

However, it was Toushiro who was right beside her; he had been her strength to hold on to sanity. His cool familiar reiatsu comforted the pain and frustrations –he had always been there. Always. She sighed. Her wandering thoughts now of his face, his laugh... Baka Toushiro. You should laugh more often, instead of worrying about me all the time.

Unohana finally came back and Hinamori noticed the woman tried to seem nonchalant as her smile looked forced. She even dropped her pen twice. It was unusual to see the serene captain to be so ruffled. Momo picked up the pen and handed it to her, awaiting her diagnosis.

"Eto...we have to talk." The unsure and serious tone on her voice made Momo sit on edge.

"Okay..."

"It seems you're pregnant Hitsugaya-san. "

"Huh?"

"The first full blood shinigami pregnancy that we've had in a while. Both parents, serving as high seated Gotei 13 officers during conception. I'm sorry, that's why it took me so long, but I just had to check the history books."

"Preg...nant? As in with child?"

"Yes. It's what happens when sexual intercourse –of a certain age –is involved...you two never thought of the possibility?"

"Well no, there's not that many married and pregnant shinigami to have it crossed our minds...wait, no one around here has sex except for Toushiro and I?" Too baffled to mind her tact and blurted out the incredulous speculation.

Unohana smiled. So innocently oblivious. "Yes, they do, but it seems most of us are just too old to conceive."

There were so many questions running through Hinamori's mind, but she settled on the most important one at the moment. "But am I going to be fine?"

"Oh yes, better than fine. Sereitei will celebrate. The child prodigy and his wife, having children and passing on the genes. Fire and ice..." Unohana was saying, more to herself. Kurosutchi taicho will have his hands in an itch if he finds out about this one. If, he can even get close to the child. Only in his dreams perhaps...

"Unohana-taicho?"

The captain was in a daze. "Yes, dear?"

"You can't tell anybody...at least not yet. I have to go to the real world and help."

"Of course, it's confidential. But I have to advise you not to go to that mission tomorrow. It's too dangerous...this isn't like a broken bone on the mend." This is history in the making.

"I understand." Momo whispered, looking down to touch her flat belly. Do I really?

"It's too early to see but your blood sample indicated as much...you've been pregnant for awhile now, fukutaicho, and it was probably the cause of your fainting spells during your bankai. I'm not sure on this, but I think its reiatsu might have even facilitated your achieving that higher level of energy."

"Oh...wow." Still holding her stomach.

"And it'll be awhile until you visibly see the changes, considering our slow aging process..." Retsu tucked the younger girl's hair behind her ear and added, "I've seen how you are with children, Hitsugaya-san, I just know you're going to be an excellent mother."

Too overwhelmed and despondent at this point – Hinamori plead. "Please Unohana-taicho. I'll be with Yourichi-san and Uruhara-san, and Shiro-chan will constantly be with me. Abarai-taicho needs his vice-captain...and I haven't been feeling any different, well maybe if not for the frequent crying –but that's about it. And...and you did say I'm better than fine."

"Those arrancars –"

And as if this was her last resort to convince the adamant captain, Momo interrupted, "And I can't be away from Toushiro. I just can't...I can't even sleep!"

Momo's voice cracked at the confession, as tears welled up in her eyes. For she just realized the core reason why she's so desperate to go. She rolled her eyes in exasperation; embarrassed and angry at herself to have started crying.

That stopped Retsu from putting her foot down. She was quiet while she reevaluated the situation.

"In that case...here's your clean bill of health, Hitsugaya-fukutaicho. There's also a mandatory checkup the day you get back here, which is in a week. So please adhere to it or you shall personally answer to me."

"Hai. Thank you Unohana-taicho, thank you." Hinamori said while hugging the captain. Wiping her tears away.

"Please. Please be careful dear."

...

"What's this?" Abarai looked up after Momo slapped the piece of paper flat on his desk –confused.

"Show it to my husband, taicho. Then you will rightly have your lieutenant by your side in your first mission as a captain."

"So you are in good health?" Indeed glad to have her come.

"What made you think I wasn't? Captain Rule # 2: Never let others influence your decision...especially other captains."

"What's Rule #1?"

"Never leave your vice-captain behind." She winked.

...

...

It was 7:30pm, Momo and Rangiku were on the yellow office couch, both reading their own copies of the Sereitei journal. The three of them had just finished eating dinner, Rangiku was the only one making small conversations.

Her blue eyes stealing glances over the newspaper to watch her taicho warily looking at his wife every once in while, as he filled out a long report. "My, my... I think I'm going to have to call it a night."

A hell butterfly landed on his desk and Rangiku noticed Momo stiffened behind the newspaper, which obstructed her whole face.

Hitsugaya didn't stop writing as he addressed it. "Abarai-taicho... ...no, she didn't... ... Is that so?...I understand...Hai. You too."

His lieutenant waited until he was done signing the report to ask, "So...what did Renji want taicho?"

Toushiro sighed and looked towards his wife, who was still hiding behind the paper. He leaned back on his chair, "It seems we have an addition. Abarai's vice-captain is said to be coming with us tomorrow."

Matsumoto squealed, and jumped on Hinamori for a hug. Crumpling the newspaper in between them. His supposedly bad mood was soon forgotten when his wife's adorable laughter filled the room. The melodious sound always so effortless, melting everything it encompassed.

"Momo-chan, we haven't been in a mission together in a while. This will cheer Inoue up! And oh, the shopping..."

...

…

….

In Karakura Town...

"Oi Ichigo, you look like shit." Abarai said once they showed up during recess. The oranged-haired boy was cleaning the chalk board with his good arm. The memory modifier apparently prevented any questions to arise, and just had them blend in like they were never gone from the last time they were there.

"Ah. Thanks Renji. Heard you're captain now. Congratulations...where's Rukia?" Not at all surprised to see his friends back.

Yumichika pointed at Ikkaku and himself, "And what are we, chopped liver?"

"Oh. Hey guys." Getting into a darker mood. It seems they're here to take over for me as expected, considering I did just fail as a substitute shinigami. Kuso! Inoue got hurt because I wasn't strong enough...

"The girls will be late." Explained Hitsugaya, "But go ahead and proceed with removing this foul reiatsu. We need to get this mission started..." Sounding almost bored as he addressed Madarame. It seems Aizen is getting impatient to lay out such a blatant attack, although his sudden interest in Kurosaki is still unclear. But first thing's first, the boy had to be strong enough again to be able to help protect this town, especially now that he's targeted. The safety of his family and friends have also now been compromised.

Madarame had his usual wooden gigai weapon horizontally perched behind his neck, his arms hanging from each side of it. "My pleasure."

"Oi, the fuck are you all talking about?" Ichigo asked. Mindless of all the stares directed at the commotion they've stirred.

"I can smell it from a mile away, Ichigo. Your reiatsu does reek." Rukia was perched on the classroom window. "Hold him back, Renji. Oi Kon, take his place."

"Anything for you, Nee-san!" Already eyeing the girls in the classroom.

…

It was amidst a small break between class periods; while the sound of chatter droned...

Ichigo was back to his normal self. His former dejection now replaced with that familiar glower... and some large bruises on his body. Fucking Renji and Ikkaku...I'll get them for this.

He turned to look at Orihime, who was seated three chairs behind; in a conversation with Arisawa. She felt his eyes on him, blushed and gave him a little wave with her good arm, mouthing, "Are you okay?"

Ichigo nodded once, the corner of his lips slanted up to reassure her. His eyes heavy with guilt, cringing still when he sees Orihime's injuries. Although he's more furious now than guilt-stricken - -a big improvement, observed Rukia.

"Did you see his face? It was fucking hilarious!" Renji guffawed, who was sitting beside her. Referring to how they beat the shit out of Ichigo, until the boy started to fight back just as planned.

"Shhh...Renji! Be quiet! But yeah it was pretty funny." Rukia snickered while straightening the taicho's collar as he went on about almost getting smacked by a full-blown Getsuga Tensho.

Next to them was Madarame and Yumichika, who both were asleep. Ikkaku's head tilted up and had his mouth open. Meanwhile, Toushiro was sitting towards the back of the class looking out the window. Too serious to be associated with the bunch.

"Well hello Matsumoto-san, glad to have you join us today." Said Ochi-sensei. The rest of the boys in class still not used to seeing the sexy fukutaicho, as they longingly stared.

"Sorry, we're late sensei, but I had to show the new student around." Almost everyone honed in on the new face, curious and excited.

Momo hesitantly stood in the middle of the class in that Karakura high school uniform, with the black knee-high socks. A couple of notebooks held against her body, with her hair in a ponytail. She seemed to be searching for someone, until she realized all eyes were on her. "Uhmm...hi." Her cheeks turning red.

"I love this class..." Keigo Asano can be heard sighing, referring to all the cute girls that just keeps getting added. This one has a certain glow about her, making him feel warm all over. Is this how 'love at first sight' feels?

"Oh right. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new student joining us starting today. Please welcome Hinamori Momo in our class. Now, let's find you a seat, Hinamori-san. Hmmmm... It will be..."

"Right here. Next to me."

Everyone looked over their shoulder towards the back of the room, some girls gasped -disappointed, and surprised to find the tall, quiet, bored-looking turquoise-eyed kid with the white hair finally showing some interest. A little too much interest.

"There, by Hitsugaya." Squashing all the other boys' hope to sit next to the beautiful girl. Including Ikkaku.

The new student looked relieved and smiled as she sat next to that boy –who had a more serious face than Kurosaki –without hesitation.

"Hello, Hitsugaya-kun. Nice to meet you." She grinned.

He scowled back. "That skirt is too short."

Momo ignored him as she waved hi to the familiar faces, even shaking hands with some of her classmates who were brave enough to approach. "Okay everyone, that's enough excitement for today." Said Ochi-sensei before starting the lecture.

... ...

A/N: Review please people! Silent readers...I see you... Please review so I can be motivated!