Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
A/N: Sigh...squeezed in this one just for you. Phew! It's getting hard as I already have an ending in mind, but what to write before the ending is the hard part. I need you guys to egg me on. Reviews Please! Momo is pregnant, so she's a little needy. Don't judge her please. It's all that hormones, or reiatsu in her case. Hehe.
WATASHI NO KOKORO
Chapter 29
...
...
Two days had gone by...
Hitsugaya's head was turned towards the classroom windows to watch the clouds out of habit; deep in his contemplations when he heard her giggle again.
"Oi, what's so funny?"
"Hm? Oh it's nothing-" she laughed, unable to contain it this time. Earning her some curious stares from the other students.
"Would you like to share the joke, Hinamori-san?" Ochi-sensei asked, annoyed at the distraction.
Momo cleared her throat. "No, that would be okay. Sorry, sensei." She straightened up in her seat, a little embarrassed.
Toushiro leaned over to her side and noticed Madarame, who got a hold of some dry-erase markers, turning around ever so often. Drawing on his face to make Hinamori laugh; a different clownish design for everytime he looks back. He had just finished drawing a patch over his eye and some spiky black hair, with little bells at the end. Hinamori immediately recognizing the doodle as she stifled another giggle. Ikkaku huddled over a pocket mirror that he borrowed from his friend, busy as he thought of what else to put on his face. He turned again, this time with long red and yellow eyelashes drawn to imitate Yumichika's. But was stopped short to see Momo shaking her head –furtively pointing her finger to indicate Toushiro witnessing.
The captain didn't look too amused.
Madarame found himself and Ayasegawa assigned to a different location in Karakura the following day. "What's with this obsession?" Yumichika asked his friend.
"Shut it, I kinda like it out here. Ichigo's old man is a hoot!" As they were lounging outside the Kurosaki Clinic.
"Bullshit, don't change the subject. You get all googoo-eyed when Hinamori-san is around that even her husband is now starting to notice. Is this another one of your dumb old phase?"
"Hm. I just think she's real...pretty." Ayasegawa saw him cringe at the use of the pansy word, never has he seen his friend so infatuated.
"Ahahaha! My, my..." Serious now, "Hooo! You sure know how to pick your fights Ikkaku because this one has to be the stupidest, trust me. You and Izuru should talk."
…
...
"Where are your rings, Momo-chan?" Inoue curiously asked, on their way to the roof to spend lunch with the rest of their friends.
"Urahara-san said to take them off so to avoid unnecessary questions, but they're right here." Hinamori fished out the pendants to her hidden necklace.
"Oh, I see."
"What did you bring for lunch, Inoue-san?"
"Eto...people think my taste in food is a little unusual, Momo-chan. Only one that really eats it with me is Rangiku-san while Ichigo just pretends to like it." Orihime confessed, hesitantly opening her lunch bag so Hinamori can peek.
"But it smells so gooood!"
"What does?" Matsumoto had caught up to them, ignoring the majority of the male species whom she passed with their mouths left hung open.
"Inoue-san's lunch. I won't mind trying it."
"Oh yah, Momo-chan here will eat anything." Referring to her friend's voracious appetite as of late.
"Rangiku-san, where's Shiro-chan?" She can't feel him nearby.
"Oops, almost forgot! Taicho wanted me to tell you that he had to go, it was sort of urgent. And most of the boys won't be here for the rest of today. They're out on patrol." Matsumoto rolled her eyes to see the similar 'mou-face' on both girls. "My, my...you girls realized that we haven't hung out in awhile right? It's the weekend tomorrow, and we need to plan a shopping trip."
"They won't need our help, Rangiku-san?"
"Please don't worry about them. And besides, we're here doing a job too." Referring to keeping the people closest to Kurosaki under close watch. Rukia was gesturing for them to hurry up while Arisawa had already saved space for the three of them to sit. The latter was glad that Orihime had found another good soul to share her quirky taste in food.
...
...
The following afternoon..
The girls were having tea at Uruhara's. "Yourichi-san, stop!"
"Come on, Momo-chan. Tell us, really, how's the sex?" Her friend leaning closer, eager to know.
"They only go at it like monkies in the summer." Matsumoto contributed before sipping her tea, sounding so blasé. Rukia and Orihime almost splutterred the contents in their mouths, and Rukia did end up choking.
"Rangiku-san!" Hinamori scolded, turning beet red while she thumped Kuchiki's back.
"Oi, there are kids around here. I don't want you setting an example now you hear? Married or not, you two better behave." Yourichi disapprovingly wiggled her index finger at the younger girl.
"We barely even see each other!" And it's true. They hardly get to be alone, since they've been staying with Orihime in her one-bedroom apartment. And Toushiro have been on work mode the whole time. "And please stop with the questions -it's embarrasing!"
Shihoin laughed. "We're just messing with you, Momo-chan. Geez."
"So where are we to meet the rest of the girls?" Hinamori asked, glad to have the chance to finally change the subject.
The door slid open to reveal Renji, followed by Hitsugaya and Ichigo in their shinigami forms. "Tsk. It's too quiet, it's giving me the creeps..." Abarai was saying. "Oh, hey ladies." He said while sitting down, not bothering to take his eyes off Rukia who was wearing her dark tight jeans with a snug white turtleneck –much to his liking. One of her eyebrows raised, suppressing a strong urge to slap that silly grin off his face. Can this idiot be any more obvious? They've been trying to keep their relationship hush-hush. Yourichi-san will run and tell Nii-sama the minute she finds out.
Hinamori hid her smile by sipping tea as she watched the couple interact. But was interrupted by Toushiro ruffling her hair when he walked passed on his way to change into his gigai, located in the other room. He gave her a wink before leaving.
"Look Ichigo, Momo-chan healed my arm last night. Her reiatsu was so warm..." Orihime greeted.
"Ah. Thank you." Kurosaki was indeed grateful. He turned his attention on his girlfriend's healed arm. Inspecting it like it's the most fragile of glass. "You did a great job, Momo."
"Oi, that's Hitsugaya-fukutaicho." The young captain corrected, although a corner of his lips raised, before he sat next to his wife. She rolled her eyes before addressing Ichigo.
"Thank you. Inoue-san had been a most gracious host to have us stay at her house. For all her help, it's the least I could do." She shrugged revealing a bare shoulder.
"Sorry, I can't go with you girls today. I promised to train with Sado. But don't forget to buy winter clothes Momo-chan. Your husband's sweaters are much too big on you." Yourichi reminded before heading down to the 'basement'.
"Tch. Matsumoto, you didn't pack her any clothes?" Toushiro asked his lieutenant, covering his wife's shoulder.
"Well, no, Shiro-chan. I can pack my own clothes. And I just so happen to like wearing these, they're so comfortable!" And they smell of you.
"Nonsense! That's why we have to go shopping. Let's go girls! We're running late." The girls said their goodbyes and they were already out the door when Hitsugaya suddenly pulled her hand back.
"Toushiro, what is it?"
"I forgot to give you this, you will need it." It was a black plastic card that had Hitsugaya Momo engraved on it. "And this..." he slowly leaned her back against the wall to give her a tender kiss.
"Hmm... thank you. I'll see you later, I have to go Shiro-chan." Matsumoto was waving for her to hurry up.
"Becareful, baka."
"I will." Catching up to the other girls. …
"What did taicho want Momo-chan?"
"To give me this. I'm not sure what it is..." she was curiously examining the object, touching the small black stripe behind it.
"Its a credit card. And wow, a black one too! Exactly like Miss Kuchiki's over here. You use it to buy anything you want in the real world, but just don't lose it! " Explained Rangiku.
...
…
The shopping trip was exhausting, and Rangiku still wasn't done! Three bags of clothes, souvenirs, and chappy accessories on each arm later, Momo and Rukia had to call it quits. They decided to go ahead and and just wait for the rest of them back at Uruhara's.
Abarai was sucking on a lollipop and snooping through her bags, when Rukia slapped his hand away. "Oi, there's nothing there for you."
"Geez...but you always get me and your brother something."
"Well maybe I did. You'll just have to wait, baka."
"Taicho, where's Shiro-chan? He's not answering his phone." Momo asked. Having already checked the basement and not detecting a trace of his distinct reiatsu, thinking he'd be training with the others. She had changed into the new clothes she bought. Or rightly, he had bought. Momo is now wearing a long nude pink v-neck sweater over tight-fitting jeans. Excited to show him the ankle-length dark brown 'ugg' boots that was so comfortably warm and kawaii. Knowing he'll find the name amusing.
"I think he's with Karin. She had to drop something off for Ichigo, then said something about a soccer game... how about this Rukia, this one's mine huh?" Abarai said, completely oblivious to Hinamori's sudden change of mood.
"Oh."
"Renji, stop you idiot! You'll wrinkle it, Nii-sama does not tolerate wrinkles! Ugh. And your hands are sticky from the candy –gross!"
…
…
Momo found them on the Karakura high school soccer field. She watched from the roof of the gymnasium building; not at all surprised to see that their team was winning.
"Toushiro! Donny is open!" Karin yelled. The boy agilely caught the perfect pass, making a breakaway to kick in a goal.
"Yoshi!" As they gave each other hi-fives.
"Eh...who's that over there?" Toba asked during their quick water break, indicating the figure sitting on the roof. Momo waved when they saw her.
"That's Toushiro's...wife, Momo." Karin bleakly said, watching Toushiro's back as he jogged away. A little too eager to join the girl.
Boys, and their affinity to beautiful things. The shallow fuckers...
Karin ignored the puzzled looks, and questions from her teammates.
"Wife?"
"Huh?"
"Thought he's only like a year or two older than us?"
"She's very cute...I'd marry her." Sighed Heita, which earned him a smack on the back of the head from Karin.
"Let's get back to the game."
…
...
"Oi, done shopping already? That was quick."
She didn't look his way, but just continued to watch the field. "Toushiro, why weren't you answering your phone?"
"Shit. Sorry...I left it in my jacket."
"That's kind of irresponsible of you, don't you think, taicho?"
"Ah...uh...yes. Hinamori-"
"Toushiro! Hurry, let's finish this!" Shouted his teammate, Ryohei. He raised his hand to gesture for them to give him a minute.
Baka Momo... don't give him a hard time just because you're jealous. Control yourself. "Go, Shiro-chan. Go get 'em." She glanced up to him now, with her most reassuring smile.
"I'll be back, love." He lightly chucked the bottom of her chin before returning to the field.
And she watched until Toushiro made the winning goal, even watched when Karin jumped on his back to tousle his hair. He finally turned to head back and join Momo, but found her already gone.
…
...
It was Sunday.
Toushiro came in through Orihime's front door to find Matsumoto on the floor reading a magazine. Without bothering to look away, she pointed up to indicate where Hinamori was. Already knew what her taicho was going to ask.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it." She didn't notice her captain leaving a small gift box by her side.
Momo hasn't spoken to me all day, not even her usual phone calls when he was out investigating with Uruhara, Hitsugaya thought and just stood there for awhile studying her huddled form. She had on his navy with white horizontal stripes sweater over her jeans and sat with her chin on her knees as she hugged them; watching the sun set from the view on the roof.
She thinks I haven't noticed. That distant expression when she has something on her mind, she's been doing it a lot since we left Sereitei, trying to figure things out on her own again. Toushiro sighed...baka Momo. She's been too preoccupied that it's starting to make him feel a little apprehensive.
Hinamori was too absorbed to even feel him so close by. He moved a couple steps forward to stand beside her. She jumped, "Kyaahh! Baka Toushiro, how mean!" Slapping his leg.
"Oi, not my fault." He smirked, leaning down to hold her nape as he kissed her forehead. Without letting go he sat down next to her, caressing her cheek with his thumb; their faces inches apart. "Hey, you."
"Hmm...hello."
Toushiro gently placed a kiss on her soft lips, her response seemed a little reluctant. He pulled away to see her eyes remain closed.
Momo sighed...leaning her face into his hand. Deliberately not wanting to meet those aquamarine orbs that always seek for answers.
I'm pregnant. And I think its added reiatsu is what makes me overreact lately, making me feel utterly...possessive. Is what she wanted to tell him.
But not yet, he'll send me home once he finds out.
"Hinamori, love, look at me...is everything all right?"
She opened her eyes and nodded, though with a knit in between her brows.
He sighed, slightly annoyed.
"Shiro-chan...eto...it's...I...I'm –"
"You will tell me when you're ready, is that it?" He gently interrupted.
Relieved, she exhaled. Then nodded again. "Thank you. It's just that I need some time..."
That didn't sit well with him. "Whatever you need, Momo...just don't forget I'm right here."
Hinamori rolled her eyes, "I know that. Besides, who else would I go to, to figure out all my problems, tensai?" She smiled and kissed his nose. Toushiro felt better and looked like he just remembered something.
"Oh. Here." Handing her a rectangular black velvet box that he pulled out from his back jean pocket.
"What is it?" Momo jiggled the thing by her ear, trying to make out what's inside. An eager smile on her face.
"Open it, baka."
The scene was similar to when they were children. When Hitsugaya would get random things, and trap it inside his little hands.
"Open it," he would prod.
"No way, Shiro-chan! You put a spider in there the last time, and frozen dog poop before that. You'd think I'd forget? Just so mean..."
"It's not any of those things, baka. Just open it." He rolled his eyes.
"Fine." Momo took his word and slowly pried his fingers open to reveal a monarch butterfly. It was moving its wings, preparing to take flight. "Ahahaha! How kawaii!"
"The color reminded me of you, you know, when you sort of turn orange-red when you get mad."
"Gee... maybe because you always get me mad on purpose, Shiro-chan. But thanks, this is sweet of you... shorty!" Momo ruffled his hair then giggled when the butterfly fluttered away, she eagerly followed it and climbed a rock in her pursuit. He watched her stand on the top, closed her eyes and raised her arms up. Laughing as she imitated the beautiful insect flapping its wings while it flew away. One of her side ponytail was loose as her hair danced along with the summer breeze, she slowly turned; beaming. "Don't you just wish we have wings too, Shiro-chan?"
Soon after that day, Toushiro had decided to stop with the pranks and focus more on things that brought a smile on Momo's face. A promise he made to himself.
He could now hear her small intake of breath. "Toushiro, it's beautiful." She daintily glided her fingertips over the white gold bracelet, her lips slightly open. It had a diamond charm of the letter "H".
"Merry Christmas, my Hinamori."
"Tou...shiro."
"Yes?"
"I didn't get you anything...ano...I totally forgot it's Christmas."
"Oi, don't start crying Momo. It's fine. Really. So you don't like it?" Changing the course of the subject as he rolled up her extra long sleeve and clasped the bracelet on. Then gently kissed the back of her wrist– feeling the pulse against his lips.
Momo laughed while she wiped away the tears, burying her face in the crook of his neck, "I take it back, I do have something to give you. But it'll have to wait, Shiro-chan...again. I'm sorry, but I've been all out of sorts lately."
So it seems. "Don't worry about it, baka." Holding her close.
"Merry Christmas, Toushiro and thank you." She kissed his neck.
"Taaaicho! Momo-chan! Sorry to interrupt but I would just like to say that at first, I thought I wouldn't get anything for Christmas since I already got those plane tickets to anywhere for setting up the wedding and all, but a Cartier watch? I...can't...even...find the words...thank you..." Matsumoto started to sob, tears now streaming down her face as she held Hinamori in one of her suffocating embrace.
Toushiro sighed...looking up to the skies. Women.
…
...
A/N: Christmas in Japan isn't really observed, so school doesn't take a break. It's like Valentine's day, reserved for exchanging gifts to significant others. Please review. I need...I need...to go on. It's getting hard...to move on. Help! I need reviews.