Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. 05/08/2012 Update
A/N: This is a short chapter and not much fluff. So I'll make up for it in the next chapter. Thank you for reading and please leave a review!
WATASHI NO KOKORO
CHAPTER 55
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"Bakudo no. 63: Sajo Sabaku!"
Hinamori had to restrain its giant tentacles from doing further damage to the nearby buildings. She flashed high above the hollow and delivered the last fatal blow, slashing the creature in half. Its defeated roar rung shrill until the sound became remnants of an echo, muted by the gust of a strong breeze.
With the back of her hand Momo took a moment to wipe off a spot of slime on her chin, then serenely watched as the hollow disintegrated. Rest your weary heart oh troubled soul, for a new life awaits you...
There were three shinigami men that came running, their expressions awestruck after witnessing the scene. "Oi, how in the hell...? That was a high-class hollow, you didn't need back up for that?"
Momo flicked her sword towards the ground, ridding it of the creature's blood before sheathing. She brushed the hair away from her face before turning around, finally affording them a good view of her arm badge.
One of them immediately recognized her, "Oh it's you Hitsugaya-fukutaicho!" All three bowed their heads out of formality and from apology. "Gomenasai. We didn't know that you were assigned to this town."
She placed a hand on her nape and nervously laughed. "Ehehe. Eto...no I'm not but I was just at the neighborhood." Liar. Tobiume interjected. "Anyway I have to go now and keep up the good work. Ja!"
…
…
By 7:30pm Momo was ready for bed, but her mind was far from it.
Three days here and I've only had two hollow encounters, ones that I had to sneak around to get. Pathetic really that I have to subject to this. ...Geez. Abarai-kun sure wasn't exaggerating when he said it was an easy mission.
Her mood took on a drastic turn, enthusiastically sitting up when she remembered something, giddy as she reached for the laptop. And much too grateful to have this gadget that's able to keep her whole world endearingly close.
…
The babies were both asleep, deep in their afternoon nap. Momo was disappointed and was left to watch them sleep for the next hour. She wanted to wake them up but thought against it and instead reached for her phone, messaging Toushiro. He immediately responded telling her that he's in a meeting, then off to train right after. And that he will be on later tonight if she's still up.
Hinamori sighed. Replying that she'll just talk to them tomorrow, bidding him a goodnight and to give the twins lots of hugs and kisses for me. She then flipped her phone close and tossed it on the oversized white couch.
Momo stared out of space for the next ten minutes and finally shook herself out of it. Finding the next task inevitable, as she grabbed the hefty history book to study for an upcoming exam. Might as well learn something...
The pitter patter of rain drops on the window panes woke her up, she was using the book as a pillow as it left crease marks on her cheeks. She groaned, massaging the stiffness in her neck.
"Kyaah!"
A sudden deafening clap of thunder had her underneath the covers in an instant; trembling as old childhood fears crept up in her reality, and robbed her of some much needed sleep.
…
…
…
Hinamori's eyelids felt like magnets on metal. She had been struggling to keep them open for the past three hours and even nodded off a few times. Etsuko-sensei avidly scribbled math formulas on the board, oblivious to some of his students' strayed attention.
The phone in her pocket buzzed, almost making her jump. She checked to see if the teacher noticed before flipping it open. Her eyes followed the red blinking dot, coursing its way to her designated zone and was about to raise her hand to go to the nurse's office, when the dot suddenly disappeared. Indicating that another shinigami had taken care of it.
Bleh. This really sucks.
Momo stood up the second she heard the recess bell go off and quickly headed to the restrooms to splash some cold water on her face. Ignoring the weird looks that the girls who had been hogging the mirror (applying their third or fourth layer of lipstick) cast upon her from the corner of their eyes.
She felt much better afterwards and returned to her seat. Taking advantage of her current alert state to peruse over the Cello 101 book again; because today will be her first day to actually hold the instrument. And not even ten minutes had passed when Hinamori slowly lowered the reading material as familiar brown eyes eagerly stared back, with a lovely smile to boot.
"Hinamori-san. You don't remember me do you?"
"Ehm... No." Crap, Momo thought as her somewhat disorganized brain scrambled to keep all her facts straight.
"Kurosaki Yuzu. I'm Ichigo's sister."
"We've met before?" Came her stupid reply, awkwardly shaking the girl's outstretched hand.
"Yes! In Karakura High, you're Toushiro-kun's girlfriend! How can I forget?"
Ack. That's right! Momo almost slapped her forehead, recalling that one time they did meet.
"Uhmm...yeah. About that...is it okay if we keep that a secret Kurosaki-san?"
"Oh sorry, of course. But please call me Yuzu, Hinamori-san. And I sit right in front of class, just over there. So if you need–"
"Hi. Nakasone Kat here." A bubblegum-chewing girl interrupted; she sat on the empty seat beside Yuzu. Her long platinum blond hair was so distracting that Momo caught herself staring at it instead of her face.
"Ah...hi. Hinamori Momo. Nice to meet you."
"Pleased. So... you have a boyfriend? Sorry, kinda overheard." She shrugged and didn't look the least bit apologetic.
"Ah...no, I don't." Immediately stomping down the fires of curious questions, and she didn't really lie since he isn't really her boyfriend. She was now looking at the other girl's face who was actually very beautiful. Her large green eyes a stark contrast to the light-yellow crown of straight hair while her makeup was flawless, reminding Momo of Rangiku's.
"Then you've broken up?" He broke up with her and she's in denial. Nice. The blond concluded.
The loud smacking of her mouth as she chewed on the gum was starting to grate on Momo's sleepless nerves; along with the girl's tactless nature. "Yeah you can say that." Hinamori had to bite her tongue, although she couldn't quite withhold the slip of derision that laced her tone.
"Tsk. How saad!" Her already pouty lips pouted even more.
Meanwhile Kurosaki looked like she just remembered something urgent. "Eto...I'll catch you later, Hinamori-san. I forgot to...to go over some notes." Then silently mouthing an I'm so sorry! where only Momo could see.
"Hai, see you later, Yuzu-chan."
"What's his name?" The blond persisted.
"... It's really none of your business."
"I see, I see..." Kat tapped her chin while she thought of ways to continue with this interrogation. Her emerald orbs closely scrutinizing the new student. Taking pleasure in seeing the girl uncomfortable. She sneered. I swear, brunettes are so easily ruffled...
Momo cleared her throat, opening her book wide to put a barrier in between them. "If you don't mind, I really need to study."
"As you wish." Totally unaffected Nakasone stood up, bouncing in her gait as she made towards the back of the class, where her desk is located.
…
It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion, and it felt worse because he was the reason why it's happening. He put his head down in his arms on the desk, so to cover his eyes...
Inihara thought her attitude would warm up after he introduced himself two days ago, but heck no. The girl's indifference was like this thick wall of ice. Cold and carefully guarded. And who did I remind her of? An ex-boyfriend? ...Does she have a boyfriend?
Either way, he wanted to show her that he's not like the other guys if she would just give him the chance. And it's weird for he wasn't the competitive type either, at least when it comes to girls. They usually would just be friendly to him, even more so when he gives them his undivided attention...
It's been almost six months before he started to search again, tired from the whole one-night party flings. That scene got way too old too fast. He's become a different person, as he had learned so much from his last relationship; originally agreeing to be in it because everyone thought they looked perfect together. The biggest load of shit he's ever experienced. As if his parent's failed marriage didn't teach him enough of that already. Idiot. So he's now determined to find the girl for all the right reasons.
Although Shigeo had to admit, there is still one requirement that would always remain the same when considering his next find. The girl has to be attractive, nevertheless. And it's quite ironic, now that he'd finally found the one –that she wouldn't even give him the time of day. Inihara felt that slight tick of desperation, like he'll lose Hinamori if he didn't make a move. But he needed to find out more about her before he can make his next approach...
The answer sat right in front of him at the start of third period. Nakasone, the biggest gossip in the entire school. He was hesitant to ask her at first but reminded himself that he needs to do something drastic at this point.
Kat eagerly agreed to do it for him, her curiosity piqued. It's been awhile since she'd seen the handsome jock show interest at something other than school related stuff.
Well, whaddya know...a quiet little snicker escaped her. Hmmmm...but who said she was about to do it without a price?
...
He felt his hair being tugged so he raised his head up to be met by sparkling green eyes; just giddy of anticipation.
"It's done. Pay up."
"Wait. What did you find out?"
"She's single. Pay up, 'Geo-kun!"
"How do I know you're not lying?"
"I swear upon my mother's grave."
"Your mother isn't dead. 'Just saw her last week." He said dryly because her mom happens to be one of his mother's close friends.
"Tsk. Who cares? It's against my religion to swear, Geo-kun."
He gave up. "Fine. Here." Handing her two 5k yen bills.
"Thanks! But seriously, I don't see why you're so hung up on this girl. She's not even pretty. Emiko-san is much prettier."
"Because she's not blond. I get it –now butt out."
"Heard you're about to make basketball's varsity team captain. Therefore you can definitely do much better than that."
"I said butt out."
Kat was innocently twisting locks of her hair with her french-tipped fingers. "For another 5 thousand, I can tell you another tid-bit that might be helpful..."
I fucking knew it... "What is it?"
She was about to snatch the bill that he readily had in front of her, but he quickly moved it aside.
Nakasone smirked. "When do you have your cello class again?"
"Every Thursdays and Fridays, sixth period." He said under his breath, losing some more of his patience.
"And what day is it today?"
"Thursday. What the hell are you getting at?"
She flirtatiously reached to adjust his tie and dusted his broad shoulders. "Then be a good boy and wait. Because you have her in the same class." She winked and grabbed the money. Her hair whipping as she turned around.
…
…
Mou...I'm making this sound like some dying animal.
Momo wanted to snap the bow in half, so irritated at herself. She was doing just fine earlier when the teacher was there, guiding them on each and every step but once they're left on their own –she's at a total loss. The notes look so alien.
The only time she could recall ever touching a musical instrument was when she was in that one mission, chasing a hollow into an empty house and accidentally materializing on top of piano keys...
"Did you need some help, Hinamori-san?"
There he is again, standing there... She had to admit, he made her nervous for some reason. "Ah...no. Thank you for the offer but I'm fine."
"Doesn't sound like it."
Her eyes narrowed. Irritation had taken up the most part of her day. "I'll learn it eventually." Focusing on the page again and ignored him.
Shigeo liked how she looked in tight-fitting jeans. One of the few music classes, along with drums, that required the females to change into pants. "Suit yourself, but I'll just sit right here if you don't mind." Eyeing the boy sitting next to her, who just voluntarily collected all his stuff and moved to another seat.
That made her stop, her eyes followed where the poor boy had scurried off to. Momo couldn't help but roll her eyes to the ceiling. How many assholes are enrolled in this school?
...After exhaling all the annoyance from her face, she squared her shoulders and continued to slowly slaughter the poor animal again.
"You know the sensei is expecting you to play that first part at least half-decently, when she comes back around."
"She expects too much." She mumbled and cringed when she struck a totally different chord.
"I'm just saying. I'm here to save you from an upcoming embarrassment. This is Nisimachi after all. Everyone expects you to have mastered at least one musical instrument before being enrolled..." He said casually but knew he hit the mark.
Momo's face paled at the realization. She slowly turned to face him and loudly swallowed the lump in her throat. "Help me then. Inihara-kun."
"Oi, it's alright. You'll be okay." Feeling like the biggest prick to make her worry. "Just do exactly as what I'm doing, you alright with that?"
She eagerly nodded. "Hai."
...
"You play wonderfully, Inihara-kun."
He felt warm all of a sudden when her brown eyes finally, and were actually looking straight at him. "Thank you. But I'm far from it."
Momo laughed, lighthearted and glad to have passed the sensei's standards. "Coming from me, I guess that's hardly a compliment."
It was a whole different feeling when she laughed. Shigeo steadied the accelerated beats of his heart. Coming from you, it's more than just a compliment. Was what he wanted to say but he didn't want to ruin it. "It was my pleasure, Hinamori-san."
"Thank you, again."
…
…
"I'm so sorry for leaving you like that earlier. But honest to God, she scares the heck out of me!...It's funny how dad and Onii-chan worries about the boys in our schools, when it's mostly the girls that are quite horrible!"
"Don't worry about it Yuzu-chan. We'll just make sure to stay away." A mental picture of her casting a hadou spell on Nakasone flashed, as Momo felt a strong need to protect the little Kurosaki, even if the girl is a foot taller.
"Hai. Ooh there's my dad! See you tomorrow Hinamori-san, byee!"
"Bye Yuzu-chan!" She waved and waited until the silver car disappeared to get up, hoisting the large black thing on her back that encased her cello.
She walked about a block, nearing the bus stop when a small blue car slowed, driving close to the curb. "Need a lift?"
"No, I'll be okay. The bus is just right there."
"I insist."
"No really, Inihara-kun."
"I won't leave until you let me."
Her brows arched at that comment.
"What? I'm not a rapist, I swear." He lifted both hands in the air, the car still moving.
"Huh? A what?"
"A rap– nevermind." He abruptly stopped the car and got out to open the passenger side door. Patiently waiting while Hinamori decided to take his offer or not.
"...Okay fine."
Shigeo carefully removed the cello from her hands to place it behind the seats. Feeling that first sense of triumph when she finally sat down, as he secured the door and enclosed her in.
….
….
A/N: Sorry, hardly any Hitsuhina in this chapter. But I'll make up for it next chapter, I promise. Please review! X)