Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

A/N: Finally! Please don't lose faith in me people. Hope you like. Pregnancy has a glow about it in the first few weeks and month of conception...then it gets rough. Or so I hear...Please review, I cannot emphasize enough! I need your reviews!

WATASHI NO KOKORO

Chapter 30

Love and Duty.

…..

…..

"How do you know they're together?" The girl tried to keep her voice low but failed; too eager to know the answer.

"Well, I'm not sure but don't you see how he follows her around?"

"Or how about when he picks up everything that she drops from her desk? I mean, she drops her pencil at least twice a day! She probably does it on purpose..."

"O.M.G. I saw him smile last Friday...he is even more gorgeous than Kurosaki or Abarai! It was the new girl that said something funny, I guess..."

"Sigh...Hitsugaya is so hot, you should have made a move when you had the chance. Why does he have to look so damn unapproachable? And what does he see in her anyway? I'd understand if she looked like that Matsumoto chick, but nooo..."

It was buzzing of the Monday morning chatter as Orihime, Rangiku, Arisawa and a yawning Momo entered the room; mindlessly passing by the group of gossiping girls. Matsumoto followed Hinamori to her seat at the back of the class. Passing by Keigo who they greeted as he was unpacking his bag, accidentally dropping the contents when Momo smiled at him. Mizuiro stopped playing with his phone for two seconds just to pick up his friend's books.

"Why do you and taicho sit all the way back here anyway, hmm? So you guys can eye-sex each other without being noticed?"

"Shhh! Please don't start." Momo scolded her friend, as she took off her jacket and hung it on the back of the chair before sitting down. "Mou Rangiku- san...I'm starting to get a little homesick. And having to brush my teeth three to four times a day is just getting tedious! At least we don't have to worry about that back in Sereitei."

"I know right? Tell me about it. Oi, the boys are not here yet and taicho sure left early this morning...tsk. You have a feeling they're trying to keep us out of the loop, Momo-chan?"

"Most likely. Especially after Inoue-san got hurt, Kurosaki-kun is shielding her from everything." She frowned, "And I always feel like that. Strict orders coming from your dear taicho: Keep Hinamori away from sharp objects. Ugh." She shook her head. "Do you mind training with me today, Rangiku-san? Yourichi-san and Uruhara-san are not here and I'm sort of getting stiff since we haven't been doing anything..." Momo stifled another yawn, "I am starting to get bored."

"Sure...but just be easy on me. I would hate to break a nail – ohayo, Ishida-kun! Ohayo, Sado-kun!"

"Oh. Ohayo Hinamori-san, Matsumoto-san."

"Rangiku! You have gifts all over your desk area and even on the floor, come look!" Orihime yelled from across the room.

"Really? I'll be there!" Momo, too, just noticed the clutter of Christmas gifts on her desk. "Oh how kawaii!" Exclaiming when she opened the one from Inoue first, it was a key chain of a red flame. Then proceeded to open one of the cards.

Hinamori-san,

If I can rearrange the alphabet, I'll put U and I together. I think you're just lovely. Merry Christmas.

Love,

Your secret Admirer.

Xoxoxoxo

She smiled, finding the pickup line cute and funny. There were three other similar cards and Momo was reading the third one when it was snatched from her hand. "Shiro-chan! So rude, here give it back."

"Oi, who wrote this shit?"

"Shhh! Lower your voice!"

He scowled as he searched around the class for the culprit. "Kurosaki would recognize the handwriting-"

"You will do no such thing, Toushiro. Please sit back down." Already continuing to open the other presents. "Oh, look what Rukia and Rangiku gave me!" They were chappy silver charms. Momo clasped them next to the H on her bracelet. "They're perfect."

He calmed down, decided to put aside the cards for now and take advantage of his wife's lighthearted mood. Observing her flawless face enraptured whilst she gracefully moved her wrist; examining her new bracelet.

Toushiro moved his chair closer and leaned over to whisper, subtly inhaling the spot just under her ear in the process. "Where are your rings, Hitsugaya-san?" He already knew why they both had to take them off, but hoping she would wear them to ward some of the boys away.

A cool pleasant shiver ran down her spine as Momo turned to her side, to find his face so close. She could detect his wonderful scent. Must have just taken a shower right before heading to school. Sigh... "Hmm? Oh, I have it." And without looking away, Momo slowly undid three buttons on her shirt and slightly opened it just for him to see. Showing him exactly where they are. "Right here, next to my heart." She whispered back, her lips flirtatiously slanting.

Hitsugaya swallowed loud. He saw them alright. His eyes lowered to follow the silver necklace. The rings lying just over a porcelain mound, one of her taut pink nipples peeking out from the ivory lace bra. Entranced, as his gaze slowly moved up her slender neck, the outline of her jaw, to her full lips. Toushiro's hand reached to pull their faces closer...

"Alright class! Settle down, hope you all had a great Christmas weekend. But, let's get back to business." Ochi-sensei's voice broke over the noisy classroom; the sound of her chalk scribbling against the board got everyone to sit straight and pay attention.

...

...

They were in a secluded place located in the school grounds, obstructed by tall lush hedges. Toushiro was on his cell phone, sitting down and leaning on the tree. Sending information to Ukitake; miss-typing some keys. Momo was seated next to him nipping and planting kisses on the crook of his neck. Sliding her slender fingers up his nape and tugged on his spiky white hair.

"Tch... Hinamori, can I get a minute?"

She ignored him. "Mou...we hardly get a minute alone, Shiro-chan." While her mouth now focused its attention on his lips. He felt her tongue, lightly grazing his teeth.

Hitsugaya pressed the "send" button and flipped the phone close. Inadvertently dropping it on the grass as he wrapped his arms around her, as both now eager to deepen this much needed kiss. Their lips separated for a brief moment to catch their breaths, a little dazed and excited to finally have some time alone. And in one fluid twist of motion, Toushiro cradled Momo like a baby. She giggled - impressed.

"I ask for a minute, you shove your tongue down my throat. What am I to do with you, Hinamori?"

A coy smile on her face as she bit her bottom lip. Hitsugaya continued his false lament. "Thank whatever Kami that I dont have you as my vice-captain. Tch...can't even follow a simple instruction."

Momo laughed. Pointing her finger on his chest, "While you! Were about to molest me in class with all those people there! For shame, taicho."

"Oi, I was openly seduced! Completely robbed of all my senses." He bantered. As it is always the case when I'm around you. Toushiro was grinning but turned serious now. Captivated. There's something different about her...

She reached up to move the lock of white hair obstructing those unwavering teal eyes.

Kicking himself for just barely noticing, but couldn't seem to point his finger to. "I'm not sure if this could be possible, love, but...you look even more beautiful." It was quiet while he did a once-over of her face. "There's something...more. New." His head cocked to the side as he peered closer.

Uh-oh. "My bracelet?" She nervously joked.

"Nice try baka, but no."

"Well duh, tensai. I'm currently in my gigai."

"Nope. It's not that." It's also in how she feels...

"Maybe because I'm just utterly... happy." Momo said before seizing his lips, her body pressed to his as her tongue delved into his mouth determined to kiss him to distraction.

Her taste, so much more delectable and sweeter than what she conveyed. Was all Toushiro could think of as he indeed forgot about everything else...

Someone cleared their throat – for the third time. The couple finally looked up to see Ichigo (scratching the back of his head), Orihime (who was blushing, feeling guilty for bearing witness to a private moment), Sado (being Sado), Ishida (adjusted his glasses with a raised brow), and Rangiku with her arms folded tapping her foot on the ground.

"You know kids, you can get suspended for that. And are ya done sucking face? Because unlike you, we're here to eat lunch."

Hitsugaya inwardly cursed. Tch. Of all the fucking places they could have picked.

Momo gasped and sat up, straightening her uniform. "I-ah...hehe. What's for lunch?" She smiled, though red in the cheeks; from both the kiss and embarrassment. Toushiro still had one arm draped over Momo's shoulder as he picked up his phone; slid it back in his pocket and glanced up – unabashed, although extremely annoyed.

"Oi Toushiro, got any news from Sereitei?" Ichigo broke the awkwardness by sitting on the grass in front of the captain as everyone else followed to form a circle.

"...your overflowing reiatsu has become an issue. Seems I have to teach you how to suppress it further..."

Meanwhile, the girls were having a different conversation. "Momo-chan, I made extra sandwiches just for you."

"Oooh thank you, Inoue-san!" Still hungry despite having already eaten lunch with her husband.

"My, my... anyone noticed Rukia and Renji have been spending a lot of time alone together?"

"And what's it to you Matsumoto?" Her captain interjected. Still a little irked from having the time alone with his wife interrupted.

"Oh, nothing. Maybe another wedding is on the way, thats all."

"Hehhh? You think so Rangiku-san?" Orihime wanted it to be true. The girls became excited at the thought. "It'll be Chappy everything!" Matsumoto predicted. Hinamori was giggling, visualizing Renji in a bunny suit. "Kuchiki-taicho might have something to sa-"

"Onii-chan! I have your lunch. You left way too early this morning. Oh...hey, everybody!" Glad to find her brother's natural orange hair with ease.

"Hey, Yuzu-chan!" Inoue greeted. Ichigo's pretty little sister blushed to see everyone looking at her. She now wears her light brown hair long, and looks more like their late mother. Her head tilted sideways when she saw Hinamori. Curious to see Toushiro's arm lazily draped around the new girl, who was laughing at something. While his thumb absentmindedly rubbing against her cheek as he leaned back on the tree, absorbed in his phone.

No wonder Karin is grumpier than usual. Knowing her sister's huge crush on Hitsugaya (even if she never would admit she likes boys). Call it a twin's intuition but, this, is unmistakeably a crush.

"Yuzu, this is Momo, Yuzu is my other sister. Karin's twin. I don't think you've met." Ichigo introduced.

"Hello, Momo."

"Hi." Hinamori smiled in wonderment. How kawaii. Twins. And yet they don't look anything alike.

"Well um, I guess I'll be going now, Onii-chan. See you all later!"

"Thanks Yuzu... Tsk." Kurosaki's scowl more prominent as he watched his sister leave.

"What's wrong Ichigo?" Inoue asked.

"Whoever designed the girls' uniform needs to be shot in the foot. Those skirts are just too fucking short." Voicing out his irritation for the first time since his siblings started high school.

"Hm. I agree." Toushiro nodded, a little amused.

…

...

...

It was around 11:00 p.m that night when Hinamori woke up, alarmed when she felt something similar to a Senkaimon gate open but this one left her overwhelmed. Her head pounded. Matsumoto also just barely getting up.

"What you felt just now is an opening of a Garganta. It's how arrancars enter dimensions." Toushiro was already awake in his shinigami form, his voice monotonous and low as he looked out the window.

"Hai. I know what it is." Already been briefed of everything arrancar-related, repeatedly discussed and researched in fukutaicho meetings.

"Stay here with Inoue, and await Abarai's instructions." Toushiro handed Momo her gigai pill, and she automatically swallowed it. Extracting herself from the body to her shinigami form, Tobiume clasped by her side.

"Komamura-taicho and Iba are also here. Matsumoto, are you ready?"

"Hai, taicho. I'll be outside."

"Hinamori, stay close to Inoue and act with caution. Our limiters have already been removed." He repeated an instruction. Hinamori noticed his slip up as he now turned to leave.

"Hai. Uhm...Toushiro?" Wanting to see her husband behind that mask for a second.

"Yes?"

"Becareful."

"Ah. Of course. You too, Momo."

And they parted with so many words left unsaid, lingering at the tips of their tongues. Hushed by the gravity of the circumstance. Silenced by the drill of duty.

...

..

"I'm sorry Momo-chan. I'm slowing you down."

"Don't apologize, Inoue-san. Just don't let go of my hand." As they flash-stepped across town. Abarai had given instructions over the communicator to have them meet at Kisuke's place, where a protective barrier had been set up by Tessai.

"I can feel Ichigo fighting...ano... the arrancar he's up against is so strong." Hoping he hasn't taken on his hollow form, which she had witnessed, leaves him unstable. His tenacity is what worries Orihime the most; he just doesn't know when to stop.

"I know, Inoue-san. I can feel it too. But it's Kurosaki-kun we're talking about here..." Hinamori reassured her friend as she detected everyone's reiatsu. Ikkaku's elation at finding an opponent almost made her smile. Thank you, they're all unharmed. She then focused her attention on Toushiro's, who presently is in his bankai form. The cool and composed reiatsu radiating. Momo found comfort in his confidence, although still a little worried...don't get hurt, Shiro-chan.

…

...

"I'm alright Inoue! Stay back!"

The bastard came out of nowhere.

Hinamori wiped the blood that trickled down her forehead, her foot digging in the ground to stop skidding from the arrancar's powerful blow. "Snap Tobiume!" Sending a fireball to the 7-feet tall hollow/shinigami, which he quickly dodged. He was heavy-muscled and resembled an angel with his pale yellow hair tied up in a ponytail and white shihakuso, despite the distinct arrancar mask that covered half his face.

"Hmm...I knew it would have been too easy to judge you by how you look." He said in a deep voice, noticing the force behind her attack. "However, you're still no match for me. Name's Alaricus Bariega, 102nd Privaron Espada."

Privaron Espada? 102nd?... There's no time for questions.

"Hitsugaya Momo of Gotei thirteen, 5th squad vice-captain."

He sighed, annoyed at having to do a little bit of work. "Let me finish this quickly. It seems I have found what we came here for." Eyeing Inoue, who was now behind her triangular shield. Alaricus smiled.

"You will not touch her." Or hurt my baby. Momo vowed. An instinct she recognized for the first time came upon her. It was so compelling that she grasped Tobiume's hilt tighter until her knuckles turned white. Her brown eyes narrowed, determined.

"Bankai."

...

…

He heals and regenerates. Of all the rotten luck... as her teeth gnashed while blocking his katana's blow. They were suspended high above the town of Karakura. And she can see Abarai and Zabimaru caught up in their own battle through her peripheral view.

"Fifth squad you say?...Was Aizen-sama your former captain, perhaps?"

Her brows twitched. He knew he hit a nerve.

Alaricus backed away and maniacally laughed, also giving his body time to quickly recuperate since the fukutaicho proved to be very strong; provoking to release his resurrection form. "Heard you were disposed of once he was done with you? Huh. So weak and naive. Guess you're not as foolish now, are ya?"

Hinamori felt her temperature rise even more.

Don't do it, Momo. You're pushing it enough as it is. This is not practice. Tobiume warned.

"Okibi Kogasu." The words escaped Hinamori's lips before she could stop herself; pointing her zankpaktou towards the ground then letting go. The road cracked as the red glowing katana staked, unleashing the blazing fires that reached and engulfed the espada.

And similar to someone snuffing a candle out, Momo's flames disappeared. She glanced above to the stars, and succumbed to the darkness. Her limp body fell back, falling fast towards the scorching ground...

...

….

Hinamori!

Toushiro flash stepped and caught her just in time. He searched her blood- marred face. "Momo..." and wasn't able to control the panic that he had tried so hard to mask. It escalated ever since he sensed her reiatsu becoming excited.

"Hitsugaya-taicho! She blacked out from summoning that last attack." Abarai had also just finished with his fight. But tried to assure the young captain first before checking in on Orihime, who was already with Matsumoto. Rukia was busy putting out all remnants of the fire with her zanpaktou.

"There's blood..." Toushiro wasn't convinced, scrutinizing Momo's limp body as he held her in his arms.

Renji firmly placed his hand on the other captain's shoulder to emphasize the truth in his words, "She will be fine, taicho." He then walked to stand about 20 feet in front of the arrancar who was huddled and trembling from his injuries. Abarai studied the creature. Accelerated healing? The one I fought had rapid-fire cero...these fuckers are getting stronger.

Alaricus' body was charred and unrecognizable. Though his fingertips were starting to heal. "Th-that bitch...this will leave me scarred...I'll kill her for this!" He hissed.

"I wouldn't recommend doing that if I were you." Renji warned shaking his head, knowing the captain behind him heard it. The arrancar laughed, wheezing as he struggled to breathe though the left side of his body had fully healed.

Toushiro now appeared next to Abarai, already placing Momo in her taicho's arms. The white-haired captain slowly closed in on the privaron espada, his eyes obscured by shadows as he stood but a few feet away; unsheathing Hyourinmarou. "Are you done regenerating?"

Alaricus smiled mischievously, thrilled to fight this formidable opponent before him. "Almost."

Hitsugaya purposely waited until the last scorched limb completely restored, before unmercifully severing the espada's head. Not even giving him the satisfaction of a fight. He froze the decapitated body frigid until it shattered and disintegrated, then took his wife back from Renji and half-turned to instruct. "Gather everyone." As he left and headed towards Uruhara's.

...

…

A/N: REVIEW! *Kneels to pray* PLEEEEASE! School's out. So expect me to update at a better pace...but not without your reviews... I love you guys.