Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
A/N:This starts on the same day just different time from the last chapter. Please reread after a couple of days...it's a long chapter so I tend to make some changes later on. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Please keep in mind that I'm also a Renruki and Ichihime fan. I apologize but it's where my heart strongly veers towards...childhood love. Not Ichihime really, but Hitsuhina, GinRan and Renruki. They've loved each other since they were children. IchiHime are both still considered children. Hehe. X)
Oh and it's so weird how I'm still writing this fanfic since LAST Valentine's Day. Crazy how time flies...
Thank you for reading. Please review!
Chapter 52
That night...
He was lying on the bed as the book he was reading was taken out of his hand yet again –although gently this time. Momo slowly sprawled herself on top of him with her chin propped on her arms, just right above his chest. An innocent smile on her glowing face.
"It's all healed, Shiro-chan...see?" She stuck out her tongue with a silly face to go along with it.
Toushiro wasn't entertained and just reached for the book. She stopped him from getting it by moving the object farther away with her foot, then daintily weaved her fingers in through his hand and held it against her lips; coyly kissing it.
"I hate to be repetitive Toushiro, but I'm sorry. I just wanted to show you that I'm ready...and I did last longer than most of your division seats."
Toushiro snorted. Uninterested in anything she has to say.
Momo pressed her cheek into his palm, reminding him of a wily kitten. "Hm...you can never stay mad at me, you know."
That irked him even more to know that what she did today was because of that fact. He asked without preamble. "Why are you being so stubbornly tiresome about this? ...Are you not content?"
"But I am, Toushiro! I'm very happy! It's just...it's just that I worked most of my life to get that vice-captain seat–"
"Ah. And you were an excellent vice-captain Hinamori, but you're much better at being a wife and mother."
"And I would like to continue being all! I can do it. Please Shiro-chan?"
"Tch."
Mou..."What is it?"
"Ask for anything else. Because this I cannot give to you...at least not right now."
"What if it's not up to you to give?" And her sudden hard set expression said it all: I'm going to do it whether you like it or not.
One of his white brows ominously twitched, the small crinkles on the corners of his eyes visible..."Kuchiki Rukia isn't a high seated officer for one obvious reason. Therefore mark my words Hinamori because I, too, am capable of pulling some strings."
She was taken aback holding her breath as the words sunk in... Momo slowly raised herself up while searching his resolute face. "I...honestly Toushiro, if that's not the most arrogant thing I've heard you say–"
"So be it."
He reached for the book and resumed reading. She now just read the title, Ontological Theories of Infinitesimal...whatever.
Ugh. Finding it as baffling as her current predicament, Momo looked utterly dismayed when she moved off of him and laid down on the far side of the bed. She slept through the night with her back stiffly facing away.
…
…
…
Toushiro entered the nursery the next afternoon to see the children already sleeping, indicating that they've both been fed. The maid fumbled and stood up from the rocking chair upon seeing the taicho. She accidentally dropped the nonfiction book The Legend of Hua Mulan that she'd been instructed to read to the children.
Momo, however, was no where to be seen. Her reiatsu was faint.
"Where's my wife?"
"Oh. Eto...she just left and went to the orphanage sir. Said she'll be back in a few hours before the babies wake up."
"I see. Thank you."
"Hai, you're welcome sir."
The captain walked over to check on the sleeping twins. He wasn't worried (his guards would have alerted him otherwise), just slightly bothered at Momo not telling him where she went but it was short-lived when he was in the office and felt her return a few hours as expected.
...
…
It was 9:30 pm...
Hinamori put her book down once the bedroom door slid open. Immediately burying herself deeper under the covers and closing her eyes. The lights later switched off followed by the shift of weight beside her... a little too close to her liking. It was quiet for awhile as she tried to keep her breathing steady, mimicking sleep.
"Momo."
Hitsugaya didn't get a response. His lips quirked, aware that she's still upset with him. But Toushiro wasn't about to change his mind, hell-bent on not giving her her way. "I'm not going to see you get hurt again, do you hear me?" He murmured close to her ear.
She pretended not to hear him.
"Goodnight baka."
Hitsugaya kissed the curve of her slender neck and caught a trace of that fresh peach scent, which he truly believes exist for the sole purpose of driving his senses mad. The simple kiss goodnight gradually altered, becoming more involved as his lips were now insistent demanding her attention while his hands started to undress her from behind. Taking what rightly belongs to him.
And her body could never deny him that. Already languished even before her cotton nightgown was being skillfully unbuttoned and slid off of her shoulders. Momo had reached over burying her hand in his white hair, encouraging him not to stop. Moving half-way to turn and face him only to have her mouth apprehended by his lips; hard-pressed yet so perfectly soft at the same time. Always leaving her breathless and yearning for more...
…
…
She woke up to a set of bright turquoise eyes, the color immediately reminding her of Kokone's... She was startled and was instantly awake looking towards the sunlit windows and felt wretched to have completely missed feeding the twins last night.
"Oi, it's okay. I fed them. Go back to sleep." Toshiro alleviated, kissing her forehead. He was already dressed and about to leave.
Momo sighed from relief and then peered at her husband, quiet for a moment as she remembered how she was so easily manipulated the night before. The brown eyes squinted when she detected a hint of smugness on that chiseled yet boyish face.
He smiled.
Ugh. She flipped over, bringing along one end of the blanket to shroud herself in. Hinamori heard his light chuckle and rolled her eyes at the sound. She waited for him to leave before sitting up to fling a pillow at the closed doors.
Bastard. Wishing that it was the real aim, for it didn't make her feel any better.
She was mostly frustrated at herself for lacking any sense of control. Flopping back down on the bed as she devised other ways to avoid him...
It was unfortunate however for she would always find herself clinging to Toushiro in the midst of passion, her nails digging into his skin while crying out his name in the dark. And it continued like this for the next three nights, of Hinamori trying her damnedest to elude him during daytime as much as possible then to just have all her efforts thrown out the door the instant he beckons her carnal desires. Stimulating her body and soul –just so efficiently.
Gah! Think Momo, think!
The knock disrupted her brooding. "Come in."
"A letter, Hitsugaya-fukutaicho."
"A letter?" From whom? She wondered while she finished fastening Zennyu's blue onesie and placed the baby in the crib before taking the parchment and opening it.
It read:
Momo,
I'm stuck in meetings. I won't be able to make it this afternoon. But I'll see you tonight, I made dinner reservations. Pick you up at 7:00 pm.
:)
Shiro-chan
...
Why genius, do you even bother? Knowing that I make myself scarce whenever you're around nowadays? She sarcastically thought while grabbing a pen and paper to reply back. Instructing the officer to make sure that the taicho gets her letter as soon as conveniently possible.
She wrote:
Toushiro,
I'll have to pass on dinner. I'm not feeling well.
:(
Momo
…
…
It was during a short break between meetings when Hitsugaya received the note. Crumpling the paper right after he read it; a blunt give-away that the taicho was indeed quite vexed.
Baka is determined to avoid me.
She was out shopping yesterday and was at the orphanage again the day before. But he knew better. Toushiro silently exhaled some of the hot air...
He figured she just needed time to simmer down from their recent argument. Consequently dismissing her letter as an indication that she needs some more time to cool off...until tonight, that is. The young captain was positive on his outlook, also seeing it as an opportunity –while she's in that pliant state– to have her give in and see things his way. Subtly cricking his neck to the side while taking his usual stoic post between Kurosutchi and Kyoraku.
…
…
It's fifteen minutes before 11:00pm when he checked the clock again, waiting for Momo to come in from the nursery. Almost three hours had passed since Toushiro had said his goodnight to the twins (at 8:30pm, his usual time.) And his wife would always stay behind for a little bit longer as she would get their milk ready, organize the room, etc..
But it doesn't take her this long.
He shut the book and got up, walking down the hallway and was about to slide the doors open when it didn't so much as budge –it was locked. A vein ticked in the back of his head.
The hell?
Toushiro easily dislodged the built-in lock, the annoyance was clearly written on his face while he now searched the somewhat darkened room. His demeanor changed however the second he saw her asleep on a futon between the cribs. She was on her side and saw that she also had the twins next to her, lying side by side with her arm draped across them; holding them close.
Zennyu had a fistful of Momo's long dark hair firmly clutched against his chest while Kokone, who was on the end, had her hand grasped on to one of Momo's fingers. Both tightly bound as if someone was to snatch their mother away.
Toushiro didn't know how long he sat there and watched the endearing scene. He would have thought it perfect if only his wife didn't act like she wants nothing to do with him.
After a few more minutes of deliberation he sighed, albeit sounding a little reluctant before carefully untangling the babies' hold on Hinamori. Picking up the baby girl first, then the boy after and placing them both in their respective beds.
…
She felt the ground move from below her, the familiar walls of the hallway fleeting past her groggy vision. "Put me down, Shiro-chan. You...you jerk."
He almost laugh. "Subjecting to name-calling now, my Hinamori? Such a fine example to the children."
Momo crossed her arms. "Hmpf. I'm not getting in that bed with you." ...
Hitsugaya ignored her pout, gently laying her down on the pillow but he didn't move his arms from underneath her just yet. "You can deny me that all you want, but just don't lock any of the doors between us. It's not considered fair for I have spent my entire life prying them open."
She looked away, feeling guilty now. "It's just that...that you will never be ready Shiro-chan. You'd rather I be locked in that closet right there to rot forever." Pointing at the said furniture.
"Ah. The melodramatics will get you nowhere love." He said before brushing his lips on the bridge of her nose.
"Well in that case, just please leave me be. I'm quite tired." She turned over, burying her face in a pillow to stay clear away from those beguiling eyes.
"Momo...are you bored?" Searching for some other reason on why she's so obstinately difficult about all this.
"I don't want to talk about it anymore, Toushiro. Goodnight." She muffled, knowing that whatever she'll say will not matter.
"Goodnight then." He bid, despite the urge to bang his head against a wall.
…
…
….
The captain had been absent for the most part of the day as the ladies gladly took it upon themselves to have their afternoon tea sent up in the office. Momo was on the couch hiding behind a copy of the Sereitei Journal, while Rangiku was in her desk raving about an upcoming party.
The buxom blond halted, just noticing something. "My, my Momo-chan...at first I thought that both babies needed a diaper change –but it's your reiatsu that's foul. Yeesh! What did you two fight about?"
"Hm. Nothing, really. I just suggested that I wanted to go back to work. That's all." Momo said evenly, turning a page.
"I see..." Matsumoto thought it wise to keep her opinion to herself, which turned out to be a bright idea as her taicho brusquely strode into the office wearing a much sterner face. Rangiku pretended to be busy, shuffling through a stack of documents.
"Matsumoto."
"Hai, taicho."
"It's Friday. See that those Sector 4 reports are delivered on time."
"I already did."
That caught Hitsugaya by surprise looking up with a brow raised.
"It's Kira's birthday banquet today. I'm leaving a few hours early to help set it up." Her excitement uncontainable for it's a big party that everyone was anticipating...well, almost everyone.
"Very well." The captain permitted, returning to his task at hand. It was silent for a few minutes.
"I invited Momo-chan to come but she said no. Hm...tsk. That's just too bad..." Matsumoto casually said right before taking a sip of her tea. Hinamori snorted behind the pages, wanting to laugh at her friend's attempt at such a feat and almost blurting out a 'Nice try, Rangiku.'
"And why not?" The captain had put his pen down, his deep voice sincere and placid. He was addressing his wife who slowly lowered the newspaper down to meet his stare.
"You mean...I can go?"
Toushiro picked up his pen and reverted his attention back to the document. "Yes. By all means, go."
His fukutaicho smothered a squeal. "You heard that, Momo? You're going!"
Hinamori warily swiveled to her friend, her expression disbelieving. "Hai. I guess I am."
…
…
It was 8:25pm in the evening...
Her feather-light fingers traced the sleeping baby's profile, while she hummed the last verse of the lullaby...
"And sweet dreams my dear Koko-chan." Momo whispered. The love in her eyes evident.
"You're going to be late."
A little startled when she looked over her shoulder to see Toushiro leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. He was perusing her whole form, making her feel self-conscious as she started to fidget and picked at the front of her dark brown obi.
Momo had one of the maids help her dress earlier since Rangiku was too busy with other preparations. She settled on a teal kimono with the nude pink floral adornment on the sides, which she thought was pretty. Not really aware that it was one of those fashion trends that accentuates the womanly curves, giving her that perfect female silhouette. Then topped it off with the dark colored Nagoya obi tied in choi-musubi style. Her only jewelry, aside from her rings, were the diamond stud earrings that Toushiro had given for Valentine's Day.
And as for her hair...Momo didn't do much to it as she was already feeling awkward having to ask someone help her dress, so she just curled the ends and left it down; sweeping her long bangs to the side.
"Ano...how do I look Shiro-chan?"
He studied her some more before nodding once in approval. "Fine."
Momo brightly smiled, feeling the excitement now to finally hang out with all her friends. "Well, I must go then."
She walked past him only to be detained; her back gently pushed against the wall. Momo had no choice but to tilt her neck and peer up at the ocean-green eyes that presently seemed more verdant than blue.
"Don't come home too late."
"...Hai, Shiro-chan."
Toushiro looked lower to see her cleavage, her ample skin supple and the porcelain mounds iridescently exposed. He adjusted the kimono's collar in order to conceal it while his scowl was getting darker.
"Uhmm...I'll see you later." She quickly said as the sense to flee was imminent –finding her escape before he changed his mind. Momo then used shunpo once she was out of the division gates, to get to the party that she was indeed already late for.
…
…
…
"Well, well, well...if it isn't Hitsugaya-taicho's precious little jewel."
Shunsui announced when Hinamori arrived at the prestigious restaurant. Her cheeks turned even more pink despite the light layer of blush that she had meticulously applied. For the toasting had halted as everyone was momentarily focused on her. The men especially (some didn't know who she was) were not used to seeing the young fukutaicho joining in these kinds of gatherings. And they noticed that she seemed to have matured –in all the right places...
"Ano...hi, everyone." She shyly waved.
"He allowed her to go out?" Someone whispered in Ukitake's ear.
"Hai. But if you look out the window she didn't come alone." Referring to the 10th Division guards loitering outside. "Hear hear Hitsugaya-kun, nice of you to join us!"
"Momo-chaaaan!" Rangiku's loud sing-songy use of her name was heard. She was in the other end of the long banquet table seated with most of their friends. "Over here!" She turned to the others, giving Rukia a high-five. "...See? I told you she was going to make it." Sounding as if there was a unanimous bet that there was no way in hell that she would come.
"Sit over here." Offered Ise.
"No, sit by us." Said Rukia, patting the space that's in between her and Renji.
"Right over here!" Isane insisted.
Hinamori was laughing. "Okay, wait you guys. I have to greet the guest of honor first...where is he?" She looked around and saw him somewhat hidden in a deep conversation with a man she didn't know. Come to think of it, there was a time that she'd come into such events and instantly recognize everyone but now –that's not the case.
"Kira-kun!"
The blond taicho turned, their conversation all but forgotten. His expression resembled someone seeing a hollow in the middle of the party. Izuru hesitated at first but Momo had already rushed him into a tight embrace, her face buried in his ceil blue kimono. "Oi Kira, I haven't seen you in two years –say something!" She prodded, suppressing her mirth at the same time.
"I ah...I apologize for not visiting you, Momo-san." He said against her hair. Closing his eyes as he tried to grasp at how surreal the moment was.
She finally moved away, grinning. "It's okay but happy birthday, Kira-kun." Handing him a small gift-wrapped parcel.
"Thank you. And you didn't have to...ano, Momo-san, how are you?" Doing a twice-over of his long time friend. Absolutely radiant.
"I'm here aren't I? And I don't want to talk about me, taicho. It's all about you tonight. Come, let's join the others!" She tugged his hand.
With the help of some alcohol in his system Izuru felt slightly audacious since it is in fact his party. He managed to ask, "Do you mind sitting next to me?"
"Why of course not."
The birthday boy was appropriately situated in one end of the table while she sat on his left. Hisagi was to his right –whom already had two sake cups filled past the rims; ready for yet another birthday toast. Rukia couldn't be any more happier as she was now next to Momo; bouncing in her seat and already grabbing her friend's arm. She looked dazzling in her deep purple dress that matched her beautiful eyes.
...
It was an hour into the progressively loud party, Matsumoto had probably participated on her 15th round of toasting when she decided to slow down and sit back for a bit. She straightened her dark green silk kimono, silently patting herself on the back once again at a job well done. Just what a perfect hostess should do; making sure that everyone was having a good time. And are they! Happy to see her dear Momo-chan bursting out in laughter every five minutes or so...but wait. Rangiku had to do something when she saw the fawning Kira holding a lock of her friend's hair while the unsuspecting baka had her attention somewhere else.
Ayah! She inwardly groaned while stomping back towards the group, sitting directly to the left of Izuru and prevented a most potential crime scene. "Yoshi! Glad every one in our guest list made it!" Matsumoto dismissed Kira's disappointment since the blond taicho was about to keel over within the next couple of toasts anyway.
"Not everyone made it, Rangiku. Hic." He dryly pointed out.
"Oh? Who's missing?"
"Ichimaru-sempai."
"Eh...? Really? ...Anyway –oi, Renji! Time for the official announcement!" She grabbed a chopstick and repeatedly clinked it against a bottle, grabbing everyone's attention. A hush fell over the room. Momo and Rukia had their foreheads together while suppressing their giggles –in on a secret that only a selected few knew about.
The redheaded taicho had his hand on the back of his neck, blushing as he hesitantly stood up. There were some awkward coughs among the crowd when Renji seemed to take his time.
"Uh...well, I finally grew some balls and asked Rukia to marry me." It was complete silence now. Abarai took advantage of it. "I talked to Kuchiki-taicho of course, and wouldn't ya know? My balls are still in tact!" He chortled, proud of his own joke.
"Er...did she say yes?" Someone asked, unamused to be held in suspense.
"Oi Rukia, I don't remember –did ya say yes?" Renji played with the unknowing crowd, walking over to the girl (who was already standing) and familiarly grabbed her by the waist –hauling her up high. The only girl. Her arms wrapped around his neck while she adoringly gazed down at him. Both have briefly forgotten that they're in a room full of people.
The large diamond-lined ruby ring on her left hand was now obvious for everyone to see.
"No, I don't remember saying yes." Rukia shook her head. "...I said 'it's about damned time'."
The cheers became deafening when the couple locked lips. Confirming the engagement.
...
...
A/N: Nagoya obi is a kind of a popular-worn obi, with it's perfect width (I think, if I were to wear a kimono. A fukuro Nagoya obi to be specific) and a Choi-musubi is a kind of knot to tie it in; shaped into a bow. Correct me if I'm wrong. Notice the girls' rings resembling their men's bankai? Teehee ~.~ ...Please review.