Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
A/N: Hope you like. Please review :). This chapter starts where they left off from the last chapter...enjoy!
WATASHI NO KOKORO
Chapter 36
...
They descended from the rooftops and walked through the lantern-lit streets; unhurried. Toushiro just followed behind her as she lead him along, occasionally stopping when fellow shinigami recognized and greeted them –somewhat surprised to find the very private couple out in public at this time of night.
Hitsugaya was in a daze, still in awe to have her so close. The light effusing from the lanterns made their surroundings seem bleary as Momo would peek over her shoulder to glance at him once in a while, demurely smiling before turning back around.
I must be dreaming...
Although her firm hold of his hand proved to be real enough. He kept on looking at her fingers, so small and delicate compared to his own. To feel them against his skin once again...
"We're here." She said, disrupting his trance.
Toushiro found himself face to face with one of his gate guards. "Evening, Hitsugaya-taicho, Hitsugaya-fukutaicho."
"Good evening, officers." Hinamori greeted then continued to lead their confused captain in through the large 10th division gates. Remaining silent until they reached the bedroom. Hitsugaya was locking the door when she asked, "Oi, mou...what happened to the alarm clock?" Peeking through a small charred hole on the wall above a bookshelf; where the said object used to be.
"Uh...I'll replace it tomorrow. I didn't know you planned to stay the night." He said, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
"Oh, I see..." No, not really. Why would he break it? That's so unlike him... Momo was thoughtful while she automatically gestured to undress, unclasping Tobiume first then removing her shihakuso to reveal her sleeping robe underneath it. She blushed, now much too aware of those unwavering aquamarine eyes taking in her every move.
She then headed over to their bed and went under the covers; making herself comfortable before expectantly looking up at him to ask, "Aren't you going to join me, Shiro-chan?"
Much something akin to a warm blanket soothing his soul, he silently sighed when she addressed him with the nickname; inwardly smiling at the irony of how much he used to hate hearing that childish moniker, yet now so pleased to have her say it. He was already heading to the bathroom, leaving the door open and subtly checking over his shoulder from time to time –reassuring himself that it wasn't just one of his delusions. …
Momo moved to lie on her stomach and faced Toushiro when he finally joined her on the bed; scooting her body closer. "Hmm..." Her lips flirtatiously quirking, brown eyes stalling as she openly ogled his half-clothed form but then her smile disappeared when her gaze reached his face. "What?"
"It's late." Intently staring at the dark circles under her eyes.
Hinamori ravelled her arms around his neck, wanting him to change his mind as she seized his mouth in an insistent kiss. Feeling hopeful when he seemed pliant as his hands ran down her sides, thumbs lightly brushing the contours of her breasts. She instinctively arched her back and moaned. Triumphant.
But the feeling was short-lived when he gently reached over his shoulder to disentangle her arm from his neck and started to withdraw. Hitsugaya displeasingly shook his head, similar to scolding an unruly child. Though he looked more upset with himself.
"No, Momo. I'm sorry. But not tonight." Or until you've rested.
"Ugh. Fine."
Well, this is just...just one big, fat old MOU!
...
...
6:00 A.M the next morning...
Momo woke up to Toushiro's cool touch, his hand gently laid on her flat stomach, hesitant at first. His expression was of pure wonder, so unguarded that it reminded her of when they were children; watching the fireworks for the first time.
And just as she had expected, her belly fluttered. Sending a jolt of static through his hand. It was a pleasant kind of shock –tingling the ends of his fingers.
"Whoa..." He whispered, slightly pulling away but then tentativiely placed his hand back. Although beyond curious now as a proud smile slowly crept up his lips.
Her face was snuggled against the pillow and her voice still husky from sleep when she gently interrupted, "She does that whenever you're near."
Bright jade eyes now focused on warm brown, a little surprised to see his wife awake.
"Ohayo, Toushiro." Momo reached to touch his cheek, then continued to comb her fingers in through his soft white hair.
"Hey, you. Sorry love, I didn't mean to wake you." He whispered, kissing the tip of her nose but then pulled away when realization hit. "Wait, what? She?"
Hinamori shrugged. "Well actually, I'm not really sure but there's a 50/50 chance." She joked.
Toushiro smirked. "I see... whoa! She did it again! Did you feel that?"
Momo bit her bottom lip and nodded, holding in a laugh from seeing him so excited. "Mmhm. Now she's telling us that she's hungry."
"We better get going then...or did you want to eat breakfast in bed?" Hitsugaya was already getting up, suddenly very eager to start the day.
Breakfast in bed? He's really serious. She almost rolled her eyes. "No, and I can stand just fine, Shiro-chan."
...
Finally, they made up! Yoshi!
Crystal blue eyes fringed with dark lashes never looked so giddy, furtively catching glimpses of her young taicho. He thinks I don't notice him look at the clock every five minutes like some lovesick school boy. Boke! Rangiku laughingly snorted. The kid's uplifted reiatsu could easily be detected –he's not even trying to mask it.
Hmmm...however, it never hurts to see that comical vein on his forehead appear, she mischievously admitted. Reaching for the office phone on her desk.
"Oi, Momo-chaan! I got invited to go hang out at the lake today, and since you look like you need a tan –I told them you're coming along too. ...What to wear you say? You don't look pregnant yet so use the bikinis I bought for your honeymoon. ...Hehh? Taicho?" Rangiku quickly eyeing her captain whose face was hidden behind a document, she was imagining that massive vein throbbing at this point. "He won't be going...said it's too warm and –"
The earpiece was grabbed from her hand as he flash-stepped to put an end to this nonsense. Only to find the phone line dead...the entire time.
"I'm going for a break now, taicho. Ja ne!" Utterly satisfied.
"Why you –Matsumoto !" Rangiku can hear him yell on her way out of the building.
That's what you get for taking too long to apologize. She snickered.
...
Toushiro and Momo have been inseparable almost everyday of the following week, catching up on time wasted and lost. Their training sessions have now also commenced –much to her delight, though not the kind of training that she had anticipated. Hinamori finds this -perhaps, just a tad bit tedious and a little boring.
"...as I was saying Shiro-chan you overthink things too much. Try to look at the surface for once and just take it for what it is, because it really doesn't have to be so complicated all the-"
"Hinamori... for the third time, I'm asking you to focus."
They were in their old training grounds, on top of one of the cliffs. Sitting down in their meditative position facing each other. It was silent once again...
This was indeed a different practice session because of the fact that they are both in their bankai forms. Their gigantic wings materialized from all that excess of power, one made of ice the other of fire –a truly magnificent scene to behold.
"Uhmm Toushiro, sorry...demo..."
"What, Momo?" A little annoyed at her constant digressions. His long glacial tail gracefully swished against the ground, the tip would occasionally twitch to indicate his slight impatience.
They've been sitting like idiots for the past two hours without any progress. The goal was to have her summon her bankai attacks without losing her consciousness every time. But she first needed to control her unstable reiatsu, and she's not doing a very good job at the moment.
"It's just that...that you not having your kosode on, is well, is a little distracting."
"Because I'm shirtless? You accidentally burned half the forest down there because I don't have my shirt on?" There was hardly any inflection in the tone of his voice, though incredulous as he had to put all the fires out with his zanpakuto.
"Well...uhmm...yes?"
"Tch. We really have no time for this, Hinamori. At least try to follow when I fluctuate my reiatsu, it doesn't have to be exactly the same but just keep up-"
"But I am! You think I'm not trying?" She huffed, getting up to remove her kosode as well. "There. Now you try focusing!" Revealing her lacy black bra underneath, halfway covering her breasts. She looked like a goddess, standing there holding Tobiume in one hand with her low-rise hakama accentuating her toned slim waist and upper body. Long dark hair left wild, its ends dancing and cavorting along in the soft aimless wind.
Hinamori flapped her blazing wings twice and lined them behind her back, turning to her side to watch the sun as it began to set. She closed her eyes and sighed, tilting her chin up to now welcome a nice breeze that cooled her flustered face.
"Mmm... it does feel so much better like this." As she flopped back down in front of him and grinned; her bosoms bouncing in the process.
Hitsugaya cleared his throat, "Er...Hinamori, please put your robe back on." Scanning the vicinity if there were witnesses to see his wife's state of undress (that is, if anyone can even tolerate the pressure of their combined reiatsu.)
"And why should I? We're just by ourselves." Really loving this new bit of freedom.
Toushiro's head bowed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Tch. Because we're wasting time, and...because I said so." Though he already knew that the last part unfazed her.
"OooOh is that the great Hitsugaya-taicho giving me an order?" She teased and leaned closer, protruding her chest out even more.
"Oi, Momo. Holding your bankai for only five hours is not enough, I really need you to do this."
"Six. I can hold it for six hours."
"Still not enough. And now that you made your point, I'll ask again: please put your clothes back on and pay attention."
"So you do find me distracting?" The gleam in her eye becoming brighter.
"Yes, as well as your incessant chatter."
Using her wings, Momo closed the 10-foot gap in between them. Her legs now wrapped around his torso while she gently grasped a handful of his white hair to tilt his neck up so she can easily give him a kiss. "And how about that?"
"Uhmm Momo...you're extremely hot."
"Well, thanks. You're not bad yourself, taicho."
"No, I meant that you're burning me."
"Oh. Oh!" Hinamori realized what she's doing and instantly felt horrible. She was about to move off of him but he grabbed her small waist.
"Wait, stay like this. It seems I'm able to tolerate it, but just try not to...melt me." He smiled, though a little pained.
"Shiro-chan, let me go. I'm hurting you!"
"Relax, baka. It takes more than this to kill me." Releasing more of his own spiritual pressure to counter hers. "Now...try to lower your reiatsu." Looking up at his wife and giving her a light squeeze of encouragement.
"I can't, I suck at this!" She shook her head. Tears of frustration started to brim her brown eyes.
"Shhh love. Just calm down..." Toushiro hushed while caressing her face. "You know, I haven't been this close to you like this." Reaching behind her shoulders and glided his hand vertically over the flaming feathers. "You're even more breathtaking..." He said, more to himself.
She sniffled, rubbing her eyes. "You're just saying that so to calm me down."
"Did it work?" He joked.
She grinned. "A little."
"Hm... I can sense the both of you at the moment. She seems to like it when you're in this form, at least I can feel that she does."
"Really?" Hinamori placed a hand on her stomach. Unohana had assured her that the fetus is unharmed whenever she goes in her bankai form, but didn't really expect for the baby to like it.
Hitsugaya nodded and just watched his beautiful wife smile in wonderment. For him, the shock still hasn't sunk in yet, from the fact that the baby's spiritual pressure is already so distinct and even tangible at times.
"I still have no idea what to name her."
"I'm leaving that up to you." Closing his eyes when she gently set her forehead against his, the setting sun silhouetting their profile. They sighed at the same time, comfortable as their reiatsu are now at an equal level. ...
Knowing that she couldn't have done the feat without his help, her heart swelled even more. "I love you, Shiro-chan."
"I love you."
Momo had to slightly lean back when she felt Toushiro lower his head, and brush his cool lips just above her navel to say, "And you."
...
A/N: How you like all that fluff? Toushiro, say you love me too, I'm over here! Hehehe. Please review!