Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Update 09/19/2012
Aaah! I'm aliiive! So sorry, here ya go, hope you like. Thank you for reading and your review is a bonus; it makes me wanna dance every friggin' time!
Read my profile if ya wanna know my excuses for being late. I know... there is no excuse!
WATASHI NO KOKORO
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Chapter 59
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Locks of hair flailed in front of her face then back, coming loose from the ponytail. Toushiro caught the glint of her sparkly white teeth, cute and perfect when she looked over a shoulder to goad,
"Higher Shiro-chan, higher!"
Her smile stretched from ear to ear as she demurely turns back around and tilts her nose up to bask in the sun. They've taken advantage of this clear and pleasant weather, having not been home since very early that Sunday morning. They spent it strolling along the quiet parts of the city, in museums, eating snacks and drinking tea out in the shaded open.
Laughter lilted as Toushiro gives the swing another push, causing her winter boots to point at the skies as she leans back. "Yeay...ahahaha!"
Hitsugaya chuckled, a watermelon flavored sucker protruding from his mouth while he continued on with his wife's ascent. Her glee a fuel to keep this going. ...
There were a group of kids that ran past, racing to climb the jungle gym. The oldest of them looked like she was about 12 in human years, she wasn't running but instead was holding a tottering toddler's hand. Momo studied the pair as they slowly caught up with the others.
Toushiro sensed it, even before the sparkle in her eyes vanished and replaced by that shimmer of melancholic tears. Slowing the swing to a stop, he then stood in front of her. Her expression was gut-wrenching when she looked up.
He removed the sucker from his mouth then crouched low to be at her level and brought their faces closer. Hitsugaya searched while skimming his thumb over a sun-kissed cheek. The aquamarines examined the dark pools, trying to find the answer.
"Oi. Tell me."
"I miss them...terribly." The admittance embarrassed her; it made her feel like a wretched parent. She hid her face in his hand.
"Then come home."
"Tsk. I can't do that."
"Why not?" already set to have a talk with her captain.
She sniffled and took a deep breath in. Her smile reappeared in place albeit a little mischievous, swiftly snatching the candy from his fingers and shoved it in her mouth. Her grin was contagious.
"You owe me one." He said.
Hinamori hugged him and sighed when he returned the tight embrace. They stayed unmoving for a few minutes...
"Just two more weeks, Shiro-chan. I can do this."
A resigned breath escaped him as he nodded, not wanting to waste any part of this day arguing.
Her head reclined to meet his gaze. "And I'm sorry Toushiro."
"For?"
"Dragging you out and making you spend time under the sun."
"Baka. I'm not complaining."
"Hm... does this hurt?" referring to the cut on the bridge of his nose from that brawl which happened two nights ago.
"Yeah. It hurts like hell."
Momo wryly smiled and pulled out the sucker before kissing the injury. The corners of her mouth quirked down however when she remembered something else, "And that big bruise on your back...how did you get that?"
He shrugged dismissively. "From training...hey, are you hungry?"
Her eyes brightened at the thought of food. "Famished actually."
"Good. Then let's get out of here."
...
….
The next morning.
Hinamori, out of habit, ran a naked leg over the other side of the bed. A cold empty feeling slowly crept in, much like the coolness on the unoccupied space.
Her eyes fluttered open, already troubled and a little angry. He didn't even wake me up to say goodbye.
But the sound outside the bedroom made her gasp, catching her off guard. She scrambled off the bed and found him in the kitchen, hunched over the opened refrigerator.
Momo decided to observe the handsome culprit rummaging for eggs which were behind the jugs of juice and milk. She perched on the island just right behind him. Loving this advantage of being in her gigai as it completely masks her reiatsu, the only time when she can actually get away sneaking up on him like this and getting even giddier as she thought of other ways to surprise him.
Hitsugaya turned with a mouth full of toast and holding a carton of eggs.
"You're going to make us breakfast, taicho?"
He swallowed loud, somewhat of a feat as he hasn't yet chewed the bread. Much too unprepared to see his adorable wife stark naked on the counter, just sitting there with her long hair rumpled covering portions of her breasts, and with lips glossy and swollen. Momo grinned at his expression.
"Uh yeah...didn't mean to wake you just yet." His eyes were instinctive when he checked the windows, making sure that no one witnessed such a privilege.
"And where are you going?" her head inclined to one side as she noticed him half-dressed in a formal attire. His black long-sleeved shirt was still unbuttoned, with a navy tie flatly draped over the opened collar.
"Business."
"Oh? What sort of business?" Momo crossed her legs, along with her arms. A little offended at the irony that he's presently hiding details from her. Meanwhile she's right there butt naked, with all the details for him to openly see.
Mou how unfair...she petulantly thought, watching him start on the eggs and eventually wasn't able to stand the silence any longer.
"Well, Toushiro?"
He inwardly sighed, hating to bore her with this subject because there's nothing more of a moment-killer than talks of work. "I'm meeting with Kyoraku, both of us are here to act as representatives for an important meeting. A meeting that involves...human affairs."
"Such as?" she was intrigued especially from seeing him uncomfortable in giving out the information. And with Kyoraku-taicho of all else... It must be something risqué!
Hitsugaya turned off the stove, and stood before her. His expression tender when Momo reached both arms so she can button his shirt and fix his tie, her smile encouraging while he in turn ran his hands up her silky thighs.
"Genocides, mass eradication, holocaust... heard of them?"
"Yes."
"This aberrant rate of homicides creates a staggering imbalance in Soul Society. Therefore we sometimes try to interfere in the living, before it's too late." "
"Mediators... I see." Momo's brown eyes were in awe, her hand inattentively smoothing out the perfect knot in his tie. Her insecurity blanket was becoming a little less constricting too, from the fact that he's not only there to watch over Karin.
"Right, just another perk of being a captain, that's all." Toushiro said with the subtlest of sarcasm, although relieved when she didn't use the word 'mercenaries' for she would have hit the mark. He slid the breakfast sandwich by her hip, quietly changing the subject. "Eat, love."
She took a big bite, visibly delighted yet reminded herself not to get used to this. "Mmm...so this meeting, how long is it going to be?"
"I hate to give you a time, Momo." He said truthfully; touching her left temple to run his fingers through her hair and watch her just eat.
"Mou, not too long I hope...mmm...this is delicious Shiro-chan."
"Don't go out hunting in unauthorized areas, Hinamori. I'll be watching." He warned.
"Mmm...this is really, really good..."
Hitsugaya softly smiled while wiping off the crumbs from the corners of her mouth, "Have fun in school today...and try not to break any hearts."
Momo rolled her eyes. "I'll try." Not to break my legs, that is.
...
...
...
He didn't really care, that it has been twice this week that he'd skip on 6th period basketball practice, picturing coach Akinobu's ears getting red from giving him a lecture later. The man needs to calm the hell down –it's not the end of the world.
And it's really not because his outlook seemed promising from how this day is going…
Inihara's ears would prick up every time the ballet teacher would mention her name as he watched from the one-way mirror. "Demi-plié! Beautiful Hinamori-san. You're a few steps behind Hinamori, keep up, keep up!...Your lines are magnificent Hinamori...fantastic!"...
The way her limbs moved in nimble fluidity reminded him of quiet mornings by the lake, when the water and the grass surrounding it swayed to a whispered breeze, calming his soul and making his heart puff up with something warm. How ironic, to see a girl existing in its most beautiful and natural form only to make him feel so unnatural and awkward in her presence.
He snorted to shake off this bumbling and love-sick condition, yet only to focus more on how her black leotards with the pink tights ensemble emphasizing her tiny waist, the plumpness of her derrière, and the swell of her just-rightly sized breasts. ... Nice. Now I feel like a pervert.
The girl had problems with some of the basic positions but were soon overlooked with her innate sense of grace. It was unmistakable that even the lady sensei noticed her potential. She wanted to detain the young girl after class and suggest an option for her to take additional dance courses.
Hinamori declined of course yet the woman insisted, going on about wasting talent...
Inihara suddenly straightened up when the bell rang, trying to pick her out from the group of similarly-clad girls as they all streamed out of the room. He was unaware of the flirty and shy giggles casted his way when they shouldered past the gorgeous jock.
Unease started to churn when Hinamori still hasn't made an appearance five minutes later. Did she manage to avoid me again? He was about to stride into the room but stopped, for he came face to face with large brown eyes, fringed with the darkest lashes he's ever seen. "Oh –hey."
"Hey, Inihira-kun."
"Hinamori. Hi."
His smile is so...attractive. Momo unintentionally acceded, blinking a few times, "Ah –hi."
"Er...uhm…I'd like you to meet someone."
She cocked her head to the side and looked down to meet a pair of big blue enchanting eyes, slowly peeking from behind his knees. "Why hello."
"This is Noemi, my sister."
The little girl of about 6 years revealed herself and Momo was instantly captivated. The long red-gold hair flowed down to her ankles and if it wasn't for her wavering smile, Hinamori would have thought her belonging behind a glass-encased collection of rare dolls. Also reminding her of a mini Rangiku standing there in her kindergarten plaid skirt, only that her eyes were the deepest hue.
"Oh how lovely...what do you have there?" Hinamori asked to ward off the child's shyness.
"My coloring books."
"...Can I see?"
Noemi glanced at her brother for permission, he gave her hand a quick squeeze to tell her it's okay, before she opened her bag. It took about another twenty minutes before the kid was comfortable with Momo, now becoming more talkative and engrossed in explaining to Hinamori who are all of Hello Kitty's friends.
Bingo. Inihara cleared his throat to interrupt. "Noemi-chan, the ice cream shop is closing in an hour. We have to go." He lied, it closes in three.
"Ou...eto...but can Momo-chan go with us, Onii-San?"
"Why don't you ask her?"
"Can you, Momo-chan?" and it was the child's turn to notice Hinamori's reluctance, "Please?"
"...Okay sure, why not? But is it alright if you drop me home after, Inihara-kun?" she replied, knowing she had nothing planned since Yuzu-chan had already left school early. And how could she resist those beautiful pleading eyes?
"It might cost ya...oi, I'm just kidding!" Immediately redeeming himself from the bad joke.
...
...
...
Hinamori stole a glance at the boy in front of her who's presently making sure where his sister had ran off to. His shoulders relaxed when he recognized some of her school friends.
Momo hated to admit it but she liked this side of him. She blushed when Inihara faced her, pretending to be absorbed at something out the window while drinking her chocolate malt.
"How've you been?" he asked.
"I've been great. And you?"
"I could be better–"
"Shige-nii, can I have some coins for the gumball machine?" Noemi stuck her hand under his nose. She was giddy, her curls bouncing from excitement. "Thanks! Love you, muah!"
..."She's gorgeous Inihara-kun." Hinamori complimented, studying the child's back as she ran back to play.
"She's my mother's replica. I only got her eyes...but can ya really picture me with that haircolor, and with these glasses?"
Momo laughed, "No. Absolutely not."
"There's the homecoming dance coming up this Friday, are you going?" he asked, not wasting any time.
She shook her head. "I'd rather just do as what the occasion entails, "coming home." So I'm staying home."
"That's too bad, I was just about to ask you to go with me." He wasn't surprised but still disappointed.
Always a flatterer. "Pfft! As if you don't have a line of girls just waiting for you to ask them out."
"Yep...there is a line of them and whoa, a long one too!"
The other little kids had queued up as Noemi had suggested to just go ahead and ask her Onii-san once they run out of coins. That made Momo giggle from seeing him handing out all the change...
And they spent a couple more hours in the shop catching up. Inihara did most of the talking as he had planned this whole day after all. He was on a mission distracting her; putting his best and tasteful jokes on the table, telling stories that kept her engaged as well as involved. Although he was very careful not to overdo it. I want her to come to me. It's the only approach it seems.
... Noemi's friends had left and the little child stayed where she was, observing her brother and this new girl. She was elated for it was refreshing to see her Onii-san happy again. It's been awhile.
"Oi, are you ready to go home Noemi?"
Her grin was bright and winning. "Yes and we should do this again."
...
...
...
...
It was 6:00 in the morning.
Momo had swung her legs over the edge of the bed, with hair shrouded over her eyes. She's been awake for the last hour, debating whether she should skip school or not because she's just feeling horrid.
"Urgh. And where's Shiro-chan?" she grumbled, having not heard from him for two days now. But then immediately changed her mind because she could already imagine him being overly yet unnecessarily worried.
Ack stupid upset stomach...and this terrible headache...
Hinamori gave in from trying to figure it out on her own and reached for the phone.
"Yourichi-san."
"Oi, Momo what's wrong?"
"I'm not feeling well. Can I come see Uruhara-san so he can check if it's the gigai, or if it's something else?" she didn't want to take a trip back to Soul Society if it's something minor...then to also have Toushiro worry over nothing if he finds out. Momo trusted Shihoin and Uruhara-san to figure out what's ailing her, and also to keep a secret.
"Kisuke and I aren't in the real world; we won't be for a couple of days, Momo-chan. Sorry. But can you go see Isshin? I'll give him a heads up. Or I'll have him come over if you want."
"Oh. Ok, no I'll see him. Thanks and sorry for bothering you, Yourichi-san." She apologized, aware of her friend's busy schedule.
"Oi be quiet with that, and hopefully you feel better."
I hope so too. Hinamori called a couple of her division members to cover guard over her area. She then dressed in uniform, feeling optimistic that the doctor will know exactly what to do to make her feel better, then she can just go straight to school and only miss a few hours instead of a whole day.
On her way there Momo's throbbing headache started to let up and consequently made her see things a bit clearly. She was about to turn around and head back to school when it suddenly dawned on her, on why she's possibly feeling like this...could it be?
...
...
The doctor's elderly patient had just left the room when he took a deep breath and spun his chair to face the window. Isshin massaged the back of his neck while letting his mind wander for a bit on an upcoming vacation he's about to spend with the twins. Yare, yare...they're all growing up too fast. He had to shake off that emotional tug at his heart every time he reflects on something poignant.
Dr. Kurosaki spun back around to read the chart regarding his next patient. Hm. She deliberately didn't fill out her last name and age. With it being a small town, this could only mean one thing...pregnant teen. He didn't have to read the rest of her information as the doctor had already deduced from experience. These are the kind of patients that he seems to have reluctance in diagnosing. It just hits too close to home, unable to imagine if the same thing was to happen to his girls. He shuddered...then shuddered even more at what Ichigo would do... "Tch. Here we go." Isshin got up and walked towards the waiting area to greet the new patient.
"Hello! Dr. Kurosaki here at your service." Immediately recognizing that she's from Yuzu's school with the stiff Nishimachi uniform.
"Ahm...hello."
She looked so vulnerable with those large brown eyes worriedly looking up at him and just sat there, holding on to her books like she's hugging a teddy bear.
"Well come on! I promise I won't bite." Isshin was glad to see her lips twitch as he led her to the examining room. He closed the door after her and was surprised to already see her seated on the high table when he turned around. Her jacket removed and set aside along with her school things. Young patients usually go for the chair, not straight for the examining table. "I see you've made yourself comfortable."
Her smile was genuine albeit somewhat nervous. "You could say I've been through a few of these...or more."
The doctor kicked himself for not reading her entire file; cursing his assumptions. "What other ailments have you had in the past, aside from these recent symptoms?"
"I've been pregnant before." She saw his features turn rigid. His dark eyebrow arching.
"I apologize but I don't do abortions."
Her chin cocked slightly to the side, curious and surprised at his sudden coldness. "What are abortions?"
He regarded her blank expression. "Ahh...it's when you don't want to have the baby. Not even giving it a chance past the first trimester."
"How horrible! Ano...Kurosaki-san, I came here to find out if I am indeed pregnant. Not to have an...an abortion! Ano, maybe this is a bad idea. Yourichi-san said that you would know what to do!" Momo was massaging her temples as her face was getting more agitated.
"Oi, it's okay. Please calm down. Wait, you know Shihoin?"
"Yes."
"How...?"
"She didn't call you?"
"I haven't checked my messages just yet…Now, who are you?"
"Hitsugaya Momo, fifth squad vice captain. I didn't want to put my real name on the file in case your daughters should see the documents... I don't want Shiro-chan to know I was here...not just yet." She stammered, knowing that the Kurosaki twins are the doctor's clinical assistants when they aren't busy with school.
"Wait, you're Hitsugaya-taicho's wife?"
"Yes."
"Well, now this makes a lot of sense!" He slapped a hand over his forehead and thanked the heavens. Relieved when it wasn't what the whole situation seemed to be. "Hooo! I tell ya what, I thought my knack for these kind of things needed to be checked! I specialize in humans you see."
"I'm sorry. I'm just so nervous, I should have made it clear right away." Hinamori was reaching for her stuff, ready to get out of there. "I apologize Dr. Kurosaki, for wasting your time."
"Oi, hold on a sec! Who said you could leave? Please sit back down young girl, because Dr. Kurosaki here can work on gigai's too." The body pods were made to be as humanly functional as possible.
It was Momo's turn to feel relieved. "...Thank you." They were both quiet for a few seconds, taking everything in.
The last he remembered seeing her was when that bastard Aizen used the poor girl to bait the captain...that was a traumatizing day, for the couple especially. Isshin cleared his throat, addressing the present and broke the awkwardness by smiling and doing the physical test, drawing her blood sample as carefully as possible.
"Let me see here..." He was now by the counter in the other side of the room and had his back turned to her when he questioned. "How has it been, to be a proud parent of twins?"
"Just wonderful! It was overwhelming at first but now it feels like...like..."
"Time passes by twice as fast?" he finished for her, leaning his back on the wall and crossing his arms; quite knowledgeable in the subject.
"Exactly! Ne, you should know."
"Ah. They have their own language, reading each other's minds that it weirds me out still."
"Ahaha! Yes!"
"I'd like to meet yours someday, Momo-chan. I heard they're all the rave. Shihoin tells me all about them."
"Of course. Anytime, Kurosaki-san."
"...Can I ask you another question?" his crooked grin somewhat reminded her of Ichigo's (however few she's witnessed it.)
"Hai." HInamori eagerly nodded, wanting to hear more of the doctor's insight. Fast developing a friendship with the man as they have so many things in common.
"I'm curious...as to how're you going to break the news to your husband, that you have another one on the way?"
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A/N: Please review.