Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. But I own all 46 chapters of this fanfic. 48, by next week. ;)
Cleaned up and updated this chapter.
A/N: I dedicate "Come on Get Higher" by Matt Nathanson in the first parts of the chapter. Long one for ya! Please review, I can't beg any more desperately. Ok, maybe next week I'll subject to begging again but for now...please leave a review!
WATASHI NO KOKORO
...
Chapter 32
Few and Far Between
...
The couple was on their bed, an hour before turning in for the night.
...prevention of congenital defects...elucidating the biochemical, molecular biologic, genetic, and cellular mechanisms of early development.
"Bleh. What are these books you're reading, Shiro-chan? Aren't they suppose to be informational? I feel like I'm back in the Academy studying for midterms."
Toushiro's lips twitched. The only indication that he's not made out of stone; so engrossed in reading. He peered to admire his beautiful wife beside him, who was in her short pink nightgown exposing a slender thigh while she had one of her knee raised.
Momo was flipping through the pages and looked adorably perturbed. "Mou...can you borrow something that regular people can understand?"
"What do you mean? Like what?"
"Hmm...like songs and rhymes to sing to the baby; lullabies. A book of baby names. Fairytales. Alice in Wonderland... I get enough of this," handing him back the research literature, "from Unohana-taicho."
"I'm sure I can have that arranged." Knowing he has to go somewhere else other than the Sereitei Research Library for those. "But Momo, these here are very informational. You see, you're now required a different nutritional intake so I instructed the kitchen staff at home and in the dining hall to have a separate menu just for you. Unohana and I devised the meals since you're not suppose to eat regular food..."
Taking on that distinct intonation (which he only uses around her) when he's become avid at something. So eloquent. Hinamori thought while her mind wandered...
He'd be a great sensei someday. Imagine how many girls will flunk out because they would picture him without his kosode while he teaches, rather than listen to his lectures?
Toushiro was slightly sitting up, leaning against a couple of pillows while her eyes were taking pleasure at the unrestricted view of his naked and perfectly sculpted abdomen, all the way down to that light trail of white hair under his navel... Because I sure as hell would. I mean, look at him! She whimsically smiled. And... I'm having his baby. Sigh.
Hinamori just continued to watch while he talked. Fascinated at how his lips would move and how his deep masculine voice soothingly reverberates. She started to doze off as he went on about the details of what's beneficial for her body and what's not. Yawn...
"I'm boring you."
"No, you're not. But I'd rather we make love right now." Playfully tracing her forefinger from the center of his chest down to his crotch.
He chuckled. "Baka. You're practically asleep, and I'm trying to tell you things that are important for you to know."
Momo drowsily grinned. "As long as you're beside me whilst I sleep Shiro-chan, that's all I really need to know." She snuggled closer, laying her head down on his shoulder and draped her arm across his waist. "I love you."
"And I love you." Hitsugaya kissed the top of her head before turning his attention back to read, with a smile tugging on his lips.
…
...
Renji and Momo were on their way to their respective meetings that morning when they were joined by Kira and his fukutaicho, Sei Kagehiko.
"Just like how back in the days, eh?" Her taicho reminisced.
"Even Hinamori-san here is still the same size." Izuru teased.
"Oi, easy. Just because you two are so big and mighty now." She rolled her eyes then smirked. And not wanting the man to feel left out she turned to her other side and asked, "Kagehiko-fukutaicho, how are you doing today?"
Meanwhile, Abarai and Kira were already absorbed in their own conversation.
"Uh...fine Hitsugaya-fukutaicho. Still learning the ropes." A little hesitant to be talking to the pretty lieutenant knowing how overprotective her husband is. And speaking of the devil. The said taicho was already in the hallway; discussing something serious with Kyourako. Though his icy glare already zoning in on his wife. "I'll see you in the meeting, Hitsugaya-san."
"No, wait. I'm going with you. It's about to start in ten minutes." Momo gave Toushiro a little wave before turning into the corner with Kagehiko and headed towards the vice-captain conference room.
...
"Mou...Ise-san, how do you keep up with these things?" Rangiku whined on their way out after the three-hour meeting – clearly upset as she tried to make sense of the thick stack of reports in her arms. The vice-captains had to finish them by the end of the day. This is ridiculous! Not if she already has three (hidden) piles of the same amount (or more) also due by today. Thanking the heavens that her taicho had been so preoccupied lately, or else her ears would have been seriously chewed out by now.
Momo's stack wasn't any less but her problem was not getting out of the way fast enough when Yachiru sped through with her scooter down the hallway. "Ugh. Yachiru-chan!" The little girl was long past hearing range as her papers flew everywhere. Great. Just fantastic. As she gestured to pick up the mess.
"Hold on Hinamori-san, I'll get them." Kira assured, using shunpo to capture all the flying pieces even before they hit the ground. "Here. Hope I got all of them."
"Thank you, Kira-kun. You didn't have to." Momo beamed.
"Awwww...Izuru, you're such a hero!" Matsumoto hailed. "But anyway, I really have to go kids, ja ne!"
The blond captain was blushing, and awkwardly smiled while scratching the back of his head. "Uh...it was nothing, really."
"Just for that I owe you lunch, Kira-kun!" Hinamori looked around, "Where's Abarai-taicho and Toushiro?"
"They're still in the meeting with the soutaicho regarding that recent visit in Karakura. Everyone else were allowed to leave."
"Oh, I see." Hmm... in that case, I'll just send him a message. Flipping her phone open to key in: Shirochan, I went to lunch with Kira. Catching up. See you at home. Momo.
"Let's go! For old time's sake. I insist."
"Okay." Izuru said, though a little wary.
...
Kira couldn't remember having such a great time while sober. They talked about their time together in the Academy, though avoiding anything Aizen-related.
"Ittai..." Her stomach hurt from lauging too much, "Abarai-kun was too much wasn't he? He just didn't care. If it weren't for us and Rukia-san, he could have been kicked out!"
"Yeah, that knucklehead." He chortled. Her phone rang again, not to be ignored this time. "Well, thank you for lunch Hinamori-san. It's been a while since I had blown off some steam."
"And thank you, for saving my paperwork."
"Your phone is beeping, you don't hear that?"
"Ugh. I heard it the last 3 times! But hai, it is time for me to head back... we have to do this again."
"Next time, my treat."
"Definitely. Bye Kira-kun!"
...
...
"Hey Abarai-taicho, I apologize if I'm a little late."
"It's fine. Although you might want to explain it to your husband why you wouldn't pick up your phone. He already called twice to see if you're back."
"Geez. Can I eat lunch for one hour without a stinking phone call?" Highly irritated.
"My, my, I don't like to meddle in these things but it's no secret that Hitsugaya-taicho has something against Kira. And you were eating lunch with the guy, that's the problem Hinamori-san." And that baka Izuru doesn't hide the fact that he's always been crazy about you. That's no secret either.
"Whatever. We're not doing anything wrong. I've known him as long as I've known you, Abarai-kun. He's not just 'any' guy!" It was quiet for awhile as it also got warmer in the room.
Momo unsheathed Tobiume, cleaning her zanpaktou's blade with a cloth before turning to Renji with a somewhat forced smile. "Ready for our training session, taicho?" Looking forward to blow off her own steam.
Renji was glad for the change in subject. "Mind not burning my clothes this time around, lieutenant?"
"Ill try."
…
...
She came home without bothering to greet him in the office and went straight into the bedroom. Coward Momo. And felt his reiatsu -it was too calm. Almost like he's trying to keep it leveled.
We can't be mad at each other like this. It's also Saturday tomorrow, as she started to plan on how to spend the weekend with her husband while she took a bath and dressed. Momo noticed something on the bed. They were brand new copies of a couple of books that she had listed.
Something delightfully warm tugged at her heart.
She donned on a robe, walked over to the front of his office and took a deep breath before opening the door...
"Toushiro."
"Hm."
Momo had to clear her throat. "I would just like to say sorry for ignoring your calls during lunchtime."
"It's ok." Hitsugaya said it so low that she almost didn't hear it. He didn't glance up as he continuously wrote.
"Ano...I just thought it improper...and since I already left a message saying where I was and with whom."
"Ah, I see. But I didn't ask for an explanation, Hinamori."
"Oh right...but thank you so much for the books! I'm excited to read them." Her smile wavered a little.
He nodded.
... "Shiro-chan?"
"Yes?"
"Aren't you going to bed?"
"Not yet. I still have a lot to finish."
"I can help-"
"No, that's fine Hinamori." Though he never looked up once.
Feeling utterly defeated, she left his office and headed back towards the bedroom.
...
The white curtains lightly danced against the wind; sunlight made soft by its sheer cover, hazily illuminating the scene before him.
With heavy lidded eyes her head tilts up as she bites her bottom lip; making those sounds that he daydreams about while at work...those heavenly moans. Moving her lips now to whisper his name...
"Kira..."
She wrapped her arms around the man's neck who settled himself on top of her, burying her hands into his yellow blond hair-
Aquamarine eyes suddenly opened to the late morning light. Confused. Crushed. And Angry. What the fuck? Toushiro had to shut them back tight; placing a hand over them. What's with these fucking dreams? He glanced over to his side. Her stiff back was to him, and she was edged unusually far.
That's right, he deliberately didn't leave the office until past 11pm last night. And as if on queue, she turned. It was unusual to see her face so troubled while she slept. Toushiro kicked himself, regretting his stupid reaction from yesterday.
He moved closer, holding her nape as he gently placed his forehead on hers. Closing his eyes as he exhaled and silently berated himself.
You deserved that dream, you damned idiot.
He watched her frown disappear as he lightly brushed his thumb on the delicate outline of her jaw. Hinamori stirred and abruptly opened her eyes. The brown pools looked... uncertain and a little frantic.
"What's wrong?"
She immediately got off the bed and ran to the bathroom, not having enough time to close and lock the door. He was right behind her, holding her hair and rubbing her back while she knelt and hunched over the toilet bowl. Toushiro didn't feel as futile from the last time since he had been prepared for this -however, it was still painful to see her so uncomfortable.
She tried to swat his hands off, "Tch. Baka Momo. Just let me help."
Hinamori heaved and coughed for the next ten minutes. Then after, leaned her back against the wall – exhausted. "I-I'm sorry Toushiro. I made a mess!" So embarassed that she covered her pale face and resorted to tears.
It killed him to see her like this.
"Oi, it's going to be alright." They were both on the bathroom floor as he held her and continued to rub her back. "What are you apologizing for, Momo? I'm the one who should be sorry...for getting you pregnant."
With her face still hidden, she giggled. Sniffling as she started to sober up from the nausea.
"What?" He asked. Somewhat baffled at how she can find something funny at a time like this.
"You made it sound like a crime."
"Hm. It should be. Who would put someone through this?"
Momo finally glanced up, grinning. "But I'm okay now."
Hitsugaya grabbed a towel and dampened it with water; cooling it with his reiatsu then gently wiped her face. "Get in the tub while I'll have breakfast and tea sent up." He said as he helped her up to undress.
"Thank you, Toushiro." Holding his hand against her cheek.
"Feel better, love. I'll be back."
...
...
Hinamori was lying on her stomach with legs raised, gracefully oscillating while her dainty toes would point upwards once in a while. She was reading Brothers Grimm when she pulled out the lemon-flavored lollipop from her mouth and asked in wonder,
"You know, we spend most of our free time apologizing to each other?"
They were now on the bed, and had just decided to spend the entire day in their room. But not after Unohana had a well-informed Isane come by to check up on his wife, who turned out to be in great health; much to his peace of mind.
"And why do you think that is?"
Without looking up from his book. It was her third random inquiry of the day, the first was if her breasts were going to be as big as Matsumoto's by next year. Which Toushiro said 'maybe' but inwardly hoped not. The other question was if he'll still think her pretty if she starts to look like a cow. Which he answered by kissing her until she couldn't remember the question.
"I think because we're still new at all this marriage thing. Overstepping on each other's toes... do you happen to have a book on marriage in that library right next to you, Shiro-chan?"
He chuckled. "No."
"And I also think it's because I'm with the most stubborn man in Sereitei." Momo teased.
"Is that so?"
"Yep. What's your take on that?"
"My take is that this subject will lead to more apologies in the end. Wasting more of our precious time, so I wouldn't even bother to address it."
She grinned and pointed the sucker at him, agreeing. "A very good point. I never knew you're such a fast learner."
Hitsugaya had to laugh. "Here's one for you: where did you learn how to dance so...seductive?" Referring to a time during their honeymoon.
"Women's Association. The adult version, when Yachiru-chan gets dismissed earlier than the rest." She shrugged and continued to read her book – not wanting to divulge in any more details. Feeling like she's violating the association's set principles in revealing secrets to the opposite sex.
"Ah. Figures." Not wanting to know what else they do in those meetings.
... "Shiro-chan?"
"Hm?"
"Who do you think the baby will look like?"
And so it went on. Their bliss apparent when they began to conceptualized the future together. Taking the moment to ignore that a war was imminent, both aware that these quiet times will be few and far in between.
...
...
…
...
It was indeed unusual to find the young captain strolling around town without his wife, more so that he's doing it on a Monday afternoon. Not too surprising, however, when seen fleeting through one bookstore to the next.
Toushiro was determined to get all the books on her list by the end of the day, even buying ones that weren't but knew she would like. He was browsing through a shelf when he overheard his wife's name in a conversation. The officers were on their lunchbreak in a cafe next to the store.
"Yeah, it was in Matsumoto's party. Said he woke up to see them kissing."
"You don't say! Izuru and Hitsugaya-fukutaicho?"
"Uhuh. Locking lips. Although, Matsumoto-fukutaicho's party are always served with lots of premium sake so you can't really judge. Lack of inhibitions, you see."
"Hai, I guess so. Hehe. Kira-taicho never really tries to hide his infatuation for the girl, and oi, at this point he just has to give up. Word has it that she's with Hitsugaya's child."
"I know. Isn't that historical? Another prodigy in the making..."
Toshirou decided he's heard enough as he headed towards the 3rd Division headquarters.
...
...
Answer your phone Hinamori-san!
Izuru had already called her at the office but Renji said she was out delivering paperwork, and gave him her cell phone number instead when he detected the urgency in his friend's voice.
Kira hissed when she didn't pick up. Shit. I have to warn her.
Her husband had just left, recalling the incident. The 10th division taicho wanted to know if what he heard was true, and that was it...at first. Until Kira hesitated to answer.
The blond captain immediately found himself defending his throat against an angry blow. The sharp clang of their katanas echoed in the room – aquamarine eyes furiously boring into blue.
"Tell me and I'll spare your life."
"Yes, it is true. The party before the wedding, it was the only time. But I was the one-"
Izuru saw him blink once, an unreadable expression took on the captain's face, before he vanished.
He sheathed Wabisuke, then had to rub his hands together to get rid of the freezing cold. What in the fucking hell just happened?
...
...
Momo was on her way to deliver some documents to the 10th division when her husband called, conveniently asking to meet him in the office. Finding nothing out of the ordinary.
The cell phone beeped again right when she was closing the door behind her.
"Who's calling you?" Was his cold greeting while he remained sitting behind his desk.
She glanced at her phone. "Uhmm...it's just Kira-kun." Actually surprised when she saw the missed call, since she doesn't remember ever giving Izuru her number. "I'll call him back later...why is it dark in here, Shiro-chan?" Rangiku-san would never allow this. Heading towards the windows to fix the curtains, unaware of her husband's scowl getting darker.
"So tell me, is it true?"
"Hmm? What is?"
"About you and Kira, the night before the wedding." Hinamori stopped fiddling with the drapes.
"Ahh...eto..." Damn...damn! "We just kissed, he kissed me. He was drunk." She finally had the courage to face him.
"And what else after that?"
"That's it, Toushiro. Please, he already apologized at the wedding-"
"And that makes it all better?"
"It really wasn't a big deal-"
"No, I'm sure it wasn't. Considering that I heard about it from someone else."
"It was just a kiss, Shiro-chan! Kira probably doesn't remember himself."
"But you do."
"Oh for goodness sake! Stop this!" Though she sort of knew he was beyond listening.
"What am I going to find out next? Is that even...tch."
"What? What were you going to say-"
"Is that even my child you're carrying?"
"..."
Momo slowly backed against the wall; so appalled at the accusation. She searched his eyes, they were so full of contempt. The bastard really believes it."Toushiro, what's gotten into you? Listen to yourself..." She whispered but flinched when he suddenly grabbed her arm and pushed her more against the wall. Making her irises red. "Let. Me. Go."
"Not until you tell me the truth."
She hit him hard, smack against the right side of his face. How's that for the truth! Unable to say anything as her temper raged, making it hard to find her voice.
Momo watched his profile as her chest heaved, heart thumping... but gasped when she saw blood streaming down his right cheek.
"Oh no! No. I'm so sorry Shiro-chan, I didn't mean to-"
Toushiro held her wrist, stopping her reach to wipe off the blood from the cut. "Please leave, Hinamori...Get the hell out. Now." As he felt his reiatsu going out of control, not wanting her to get hurt as Hyorinmaru lost grasp to keep him grounded.
Frost started to creep its way up the window panes...
His words felt similar to Aizen's blade piercing her flesh, the realization that she was never wanted nor needed. But this was worse. Much worse. Death would be considered a sweeter exit.
"I'm so sorry, Toushiro."
Momo's brown eyes glistened with tears and her lips trembled as she suppressed a sob. Her fingers shook while they were mere inches away from his face, but held them back when a hell butterfly suddenly came flapping through the window.
And that's when she disappeared, flash-stepping out the office. He heard her grab some things from the bedroom and left.
Then it was quiet. The ominous silence never seemed so pronounced, promising with it dark days and restless nights to come...
…
...
A/N: *in a small voice* Uhh... Please review? A kiss in the lips was a big thing back in the conservative old days (which Sereitei is historically based on). Holding hands even! And yeah, Toushiro's imagination is indeed getting the better of him.