Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. 04/28/2012 Update
A/N: If you want an idea of how big the twins are, they're exactly the size of 4-month old babies only that their motor/verbal skills are much more advanced. Oi, late again aren't I?... But thank you so much for reading and please leave a review. :)
PART II: WATASHI NO KOKORO
CHAPTER 54
A New Start
It was the first week of September. Still in the midst of transitioning from the humid summer months towards the true signs of fall; when leaves lose their lush and falls prey to the drifting winds.
She was standing about twenty feet away from the entrance, and felt really small all of a sudden. Her head tilted up to read the school's emblem, Nishimachi High on the large archway. Excitement had quickly turn to apprehension as Momo tucked the flailing wisps of her hair behind an ear, then adjusted her collar again. Because not only was she feeling stuffy in her gigai but the new uniform was also a bit restricting –unlike Karakura High's, which left more room to breathe. The shirt she was wearing was the crisp standard white though with its higher and much stiffer collar, along with a navy blue neck tie that matched the form-fitting blazer and pleated skirt.
Her chin leveled, looking straight ahead as she tried not to mind the dark clouds that now hindered the once blue sky, making the place seem even more formidable.
Please don't rain...
She didn't want the gloomy skies to set the tone to her first day in this reputably prestigious academy and also her first mission ever since being reinstated as a fukutaicho.
Renji had called her in during her day off and asked if she's willing to take this task of watching over Ichigo's sister, Yuzu. The girl transferred to a different school due to her strong inclination in the arts, which Nishimachi is highly accredited for. This was a favor that Ichigo had specifically requested from his friend since they were going to start graduate school and no one would be there to keep a close eye on this particular sister, who's still oblivious to the whole Death God business.
Hinamori didn't hesitate to accept it but was left with one concern, "How long will it be?"
"A month." Actually, it was much longer than that but that's what Hitsugaya-taicho and he had negotiated on. The young captain had been very reluctant to agree but Abarai assured it to be an easy mission. Renji also wanted to make it a point, with what Kurosaki had done –oh you know, saved the whole Soul Society –that this was the least he could do and in turn could only appoint his most trusted lieutenant to carry out the job.
"I see...and Shiro-chan was fine with it?" Momo knew all too well that her taicho had already approached her husband.
The redhead snorted. "Heh. Fine is an overstatement but hai, he agreed at the end."
"Eto...so when do I leave?"
"In the morning at 8:00. Kisuke will brief you once you arrive in the real world. You are to stay in your gigai form to completely mask your reiatsu when around Yuzu." He reminded just in case, since hollows are attracted to high concentration of spiritual pressures.
Momo acknowledged with a broad smile, her excitement apparent. "Hai, I'm aware of that. Thank you, taicho. Though I apologize in advance."
"For what?"
"When I cancel with Rukia on our trip to the florist tomorrow."
"Baka will be fine. You got more important things to do than pick out some frou-frou flowers for some stupid wedding."
"I hope so. She did mention bringing someone along in particular, said she wants this person's honest opinion in the matter."
"See? She won't be alone. You're worrying for nothing." Renji wanted to get started on his last pile of paperwork, rummaging through a drawer to find a pen. "Anyway, have a safe trip Momo. Call me once you get there."
"Hai, Abarai-kun. And you have fun with Rukia tomorrow." She winked at her captain before slipping out the door, his expression was priceless.
…
…
Hinamori was on the bench by the drop off/pick up area. She waited as Yuzu waved bye to her friends while hopping into the passenger-side of a silver sedan. Inconspicuous while she watched from the corner of her eyes as the brown-haired girl gave her father a quick peck on the cheek before they drove away.
Her book thudded close; an appropriate gesture as it was the last task of the shift. To make sure that her charge is handed off to the safety of her father's care, Kurosaki Isshin, a former high seated shinigami. She finally let the muscles on her shoulders relax while letting out a soft sigh. Day # 1, accomplished.
Momo stood up from her perch and flipped her phone open, scrolling down to Toushiro's directions on how to get to her living quarters in this unfamiliar town. She smiled. Recalling how she didn't argue with him –not even once –while he listed almost all means of precaution.
"Don't hesitate to use your bankai, Momo. " … "Don't take a hollow's size for granted." ... "Call me if you're caught in a bind."
Geez... and it did take all of her optic nerves and muscles not to roll her eyes all the way back so to look at her brain and ask, "Oi, is this guy really serious?" But she somehow managed to sit still and listen to him talk, focusing more on the whole picture. Like how rich and mellow his deep voice would sound, readily impelling her mind to wander off with highly irrelevant thoughts...
Her daydreaming was jarred short when she accidentally got bumped on the shoulder, "Sumimasen," said the man who seemed to be in a hurry. Momo suddenly became aware of her surroundings. She peered up at the glass-paned sky scrapers, also noticing that most of the people carried cases and wearing business suits. Momo passed by some shops too but knew she wouldn't be caught dead inside those particular ones. Amusedly thinking that they might charge her for the air she breathes just for being near their vicinity. Unreasonably expensive, I'm sure. She snorted.
Hinamori could see herself in the windows' reflections and almost laughed at how out of place she seemed –like a lost child. Mou...but I am lost. She mused while going over the instructions once again thinking that she might have gotten off the bus at the wrong stop.
Apartment # 1052 The Roppongi Tower. There was a picture of it on the keycard that Toushiro had slipped into her pocket right before she entered the senkaimon.
Hmm...this can't be it.
She slowed to a stop in front of a perfectly matched location. Her mouth left agape with brown eyes squinting up trying to decipher where the top of the building ended. Owaaah...
"Good evening, miss." The doorman greeted, opening the entryway when he saw the girl holding the keycard.
"Ah...hello." Momo smiled before hesitantly walking inside, her expression somewhat confused.
The concierge behind the desk received in a rehearsed manner. "Welcome and good evening miss...?"
"Hitsugaya."
Understanding dawned across his features. "Ah yes. Did you need help with your things, Hitsugaya-san?"
"Uhm no. But I would like to know how to get to apartment 1052... maybe?"
"Sure! Just follow Takeharu over here. He'll be happy to help you. You have a wonderful night, Hitsugaya-san and welcome to the Roppongi."
Momo followed the bellhop who was much younger and even more cheerful. "So you're at the 50th floor?" He asked.
"I think so."
"Yep, 1052. Hmm...if I remember correctly it's got one of the best amenities. I'm sure that's why your parents picked it." He winked and pressed the button once they were inside the elevator.
Momo couldn't help but smile, "And that is?"
"It's a corner room. Meaning you've got a wrap-around terrace. Presenting the most magnificent views that The Roppongi has to offer –from all angles." Puffing out his chest under the uniform as his pride couldn't be contained.
"I see..." She said just to say something while the man continued on with the grand history of the place.
The soft *ding* of the elevator indicated their stop. "This is you Hitsugaya-san, the last door on the right." He directed the way by an exaggerated swing of an arm.
"Thank you, Takeharu-kun."
...
...
Three hours later...
Momo was in her shinigami form when she came in through the terrace from her patrol of the city. The exhilaration of being able to walk on air again still lingering on her face.
The fukutaicho didn't get to do much however, since there were other shinigami assigned to this specific town. Although she still found a couple of purasus wandering about and was a bit shameful afterwards as she was just too excited to do the Konso. Accidentally pointing the wrong end of her sword on one of the poor soul's forehead, who thought he was about to experience death for the second time. Gah! Baka Momo. Berating her over-eager nerves.
...
Tabi-encased toes landed gracefully on the patio as she walked through the glass doors that's connected to the bedroom. She changed into her gigai, who was already dressed in a long white cotton nightgown, ready to wind down for the night.
Hinamori brushed her teeth before crawling onto the bed, over the soft cloud-like comforter. She yawned and nuzzled a fluffy pillow... yet detected something on the bedside table. She opened one eye and reached for the small piece of paper that was propped on a 'laptop' looking thingy. Expectantly unfolding the note and recognized the familiar handwriting,
Momo,
Turn me on once you've settled in.
Love,
Shiro-chan and your overfed chibis. :)
Her lips slanting from reading it. She then brought the black laptop closer as she pressed a key and watched the screen slowly come to life...
Zennyu was first to appear and from what she could see of the background, he was on the center of their bed. And was his hair a mess! Reminding Hinamori of a 'mo-hawk' do, and so sure that this is her husband's best attempt of smoothing it out. But she didn't stay focus on that for long because with tiny fists, the boy was covering his eyes while tears poured down the chubby cheeks. His bottom lip protruding out as he held in the quiet sobs.
"Oi look up, your mother is on." Toushiro gently goaded from behind the screen.
The baby did what he was told and Momo's heart almost broke. "What happened Zenny-chan?"
He then let out a long wail followed by a combination of garbled "bababah's" and "mamam's." The white-haired chibi gestured with both arms up, sobbingly begging for Momo to come and carry him.
"Shiro-chan what happened? What is he trying to tell me?" She worriedly asked.
"That we should disown Kokone because she pushed him off the bed."
"Awe...poor thing! I'm sorry baby...I'll be home soon I promise." Thinking of going back to Soul Society first thing in the morning just for a few hours before heading to work.
"Oi, don't worry about it Momo. His sister had been rightly scolded. I just had to separate them that's all, since they were about to get into another scuffle." And Hinamori watched as the other infant was placed beside her brother; a toothless grin on her perfectly round and radiant face. "You're going to be nice to your brother now, right Kokone?" Their father made sure.
"Moomam!"
The baby's exclamation made Momo laugh, continuing on to interact with them for the next thirty minutes. They were presently absorbed with a book that's in front of them. Zennyu was flipping through the pages; reading it out loud in his own language when the screen slowly swiveled. Finally centering in on her husband who was lying on his side holding his head propped on an elbow.
He was dressed in his white yukata and looked utterly relaxed despite the twins' constant squabbles, that it made one of her brows inquisitively raised. "You took the day off taicho?"
"It's Saturday, baka."
"Oh." She'd forgotten the time difference.
"So how was your first day of school?"
"It was fine...except –"
"Except what?"
"Yourichi-san had signed me up in all these other classes that were just plain unnecessary." Since her said friend was in charge of the enrollment arrangements.
Toushiro waited, allowing for her to continue. She groaned and reached down for her binder on the floor to show him her weekly schedule. He was amused after scanning the page that she had pressed up against the screen.
"Ballet?...Cello 101?" There was a drawn happy kitty face too with a Have a great day at school dear! Love, Your Mom written at the bottom.
"Yeah. She must have been joking!"
"Is Kurosaki in those classes?"
"No. She's got hers right next door." Momo let out a resigned sigh. "Which makes sense. I guess I have to keep my distance –don't want the girl thinking we should be good friends or something if we do have all our courses together." Strictly business in other words.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean you can't make other friends Hinamori." Toushiro encouraged. Not wanting her to feel bored or left out.
Momo yawned, slowly resting her head on a pillow. A languid smile gracing her mouth. "Hmm...Toushiro."
It never gets old... the way she says his name always does something to his insides. "Yes?"
"This place is...it's wonderful."
"Ah, consider it a home away from home."
"Thank you. You spoil me."...
Hitsugaya broke their held gaze. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"Mmhm."
He moved closer and using his bedroom voice, along with a rakish grin on his face, he asked, "What are you wearing?"
"Wha– Shiro-chan!" A pink tinge emerged on her cheeks, knowing that the twins are just but an earshot away.
"Oi kidding, geez!"
…
…
…
MY GOALS FOR THE YEAR
*PAINT MY ROOM A DIFFERENT COLOR. Check.
*GET MY BMW CONVERTIBLE FOR MY 17TH BIRTHDAY. Check.
*MAINTAIN MY STRAIGHT A's...So far. Check.
*DUMP CRAZY GIRLFRIEND. Check. Yoshi!
*MAKE BASKETBALL VARSITY TEAM CAPTAIN...in progress.
*FIND THE PERFECT GIRLFRIEND ..in progress.
*LEARN A NEW MUSICAL INSTRUMENT...in progress.
*CLEAN OUT TH–
Shigeo averted his deep blue eyes from his iPhone to look up at the front of the class when she breezily came in through the door, hugging her books. Her hair in its usual high chignon with the side-swept bangs, and a warm smile that she always greets everyone with, shaping her full lips.
Ahh...There she is. The new transfer student. Hinamori Momo.
From four chairs back Shigeo continued to watch the dainty way she would set her things on her desk. Quietly absorbed in aligning all her pens, pencils and chappy erasers in a manner that he could only describe as cute. A couple soft tendrils had came loose from the hair bun, leaving much to his imagination of how long her hair really is...
And that beautiful face...completely devoid of makeup, sets her apart from most of the shallow high school girls that he's surrounded with. And that's just it –she's refreshingly different with a little mysteriousness to her ways. Taking note of how the girl keeps mostly to herself, even during lunchtime when she stays in the classroom to eat her meal as she reads a book. Though the trait made her far more intriguing.
He looked around, glad that his friends were occupied still, talking about last weekend's "exclusive" party.
Alright, here I go...Finally gathering the courage to approach her and introduce himself. It's weird for he'd usually be more confident when it comes to socializing with the opposite sex. Shigeo could feel his heart throb against the inside of his shirt as he straightened his collar and made his way towards her, getting more self-conscious while he adjusted his glasses. Damn these fucking things! Couldn't he pick a better day to lose his last pair of contacts? He'd thought about talking to her another day, once he receives his contact lens in the mail but then changed his mind. Recalling how some of his guy friends reacted to first seeing the girl. He didn't want to miss his chance.
He was close to her now when Hinamori stood up to shrug off her navy jacket and hung it on the chair, noticing him standing behind her. Shigeo forgot to feign mild disinterest when their eyes briefly met.
"Ohayo." She greeted before turning back around to sit down.
"Er...Hi."
She looked over her shoulder and had to tilt her neck almost all the way up to address him. "Hi."
Thankful that the seat was still empty, he sat next to her so she didn't have to strain as much. "My name's Inihara Shigeo."
Momo dead-panned at the boy's striking resemblance, "...Excuse me?"
He tried again thinking that he must have said it too fast, holding his hand out a little higher. "Shigeo. Inihara."
"Hitsuga –Hinamori Momo. Nice to meet you." She took his hand and was biting her bottom lip now, curiously studying his dark brown hair. Her head cocked to the side. How bizarre...
Totally unaware that she was making him squirm, he raked his hand through his hair and awkwardly smiled out of politeness, "What?"
"You remind me of someone..."
"And who might that be?"
"He's...nevermind. It's nobody."
….
….
A/N: *Taps chin* Hmmm. I wonder who it is.. Oh. Sorry, I was a little preoccupied. Teehee. Welp, thank you for reading and please review! I love you guys! :)