Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Update 11.28.2014
A/N: Yusss! Finished this chapter today as a gesture of thanks to all of you. Happy Thanksgiving! This chapter will have more of Toushiro's point of view and the next will be more of Momo's. Please read and review. Gomenesai for the wait. :( I really am. But alas...
WATASHI NO KOKORO
Chapter 62
Snow fell without falter, lining the surrounding pastures a soft white. The lake soon followed, its surface slowly stills then turns to ice. There was a quiet that befell the land. A dullness that one can describe as tranquil, where an artist would find ground. The very reason why this very porch, is perfectly angled at the picture.
Though the sapphires were consumed by his dilemma instead of perusing his would-be art as he eyed her small back, clad in his mother's silk hooded robe. The fabric's thin barrier against the impending cold solidified his building aggravation.
It was a combination of hurt and disappointment when he first came to realize that she used him as only a means to run away. A vessel, to this plan of hers to abandon everything behind—even her appetite.
I'm a patient guy, but shit, I need answers. Answers as to why she's so out of it that she's even refused to eat. So absolutely mind racking! To be put in a place where you want to help someone and yet can't even ask one stupid question... Inihara fully subjected to his anger, since patience, as he just came to find out, is not one of his virtue.
Although he reminded himself while he trudged towards her huddled form, that she solely chose him despite her selfish reasons. That she's here in his very own house, if she could have chosen to be anywhere else—right? And wasn't that the original plan anyway, to have her go to him? He cursed himself for not being specific when making his wishes, if indeed they do come true.
The crack of a felled branch breaking in half stirred Momo when Inihara had carelessly stomped on it. He stopped, scolding his ungraceful approach and looked down. A lightbulb flicked on somewhere in his mind, its vague *ding* mentally audible as he quickly changed his course of action, grabbing one end of the long stick.
Her lack of reaction from him being nearby goaded him even more to do the unthinkable, literally determined to 'beat the misery out of her'. Inihara struck the side of her arm with his stick, a little too hard to anyone's liking.
"'Ey, you."
"..."
He aimed for it again and delivered another blow. Her body flinched but she continued to stare straight ahead. "If you're just going to sit around here like some dead thing for the rest of your stay—let me know. I can look for better company. Like the crazy goats up in the mountains, they can strike up a better conversation." Inihara smugly swung for another whack but the stick was grabbed just before it hit her again.
Slowly, her head turned to face him, and she glared at him in a way that probably set the roof on fire if he was curious enough to look behind him, for he could have sworn he saw embers behind her murderous glare.
"If you wanted me to leave, all you had to do was ask." She hissed.
Inihara pulled back just in time as Momo, without losing eye contact, adeptly grabbed a nearby branch of her own, then rolled away in a spur to stand and match his stance. He was stunned for a moment.
Beguiled, not ever once did he picture this delicate ballerina so at ease with a weapon. With hair covering half her face, she continued to angrily stare— which, if he wasn't so stunned at the spot—could have made him squirm. And it hit him. Right there in that instant, that she has fully championed his heart.
I think I'm love... Am I? Yes. His conscience confirmed along with the skipped beats of his heart.
Though winded from the realization, Inihara immediately sobered and smiled in a wicked way. He could tell she's very good. Ignoring the goddamned chivalry code ingrained in his head to never hit a girl, for this is a different matter. The girl needs her senses back. It's for her own good. And from the way her dull eyes now lit up with fury, he has done a fine job so far.
He felt that surge of satisfaction to finally be able to make use of his kendo trophies lining the fireplace mantle. "You know how to fight then, eh?"
"I don't fight, Mr. Inihara. I kill."
She sounded way too convincing. He grinned and ran his hand through his hair, making sure that one wayward lock settled on the center of his forehead to egg her on. "Cool. I dare you then— to try."
...
The girl is a master. Unmerciful with her jabs as she flourishes with lunges, and blocked his every attack while catching him in his small open angles. The little nymph was enjoying this too as indicated by the curl on the corner of her lips. She's making it look too easy with some ancient moves that he's only seen in movies. Meanwhile he's sweating bullets when she almost debilitated him with a hit on the lower abdomen, close to his groin.
Oh shit...that was close!
Shigeo finally found a break when she did a low sweeping spin kick, knocking him off his feet. He took the opportunity to tumble and roll away from her, feeling like the coward that he is when he ran for it and put as much space in between them as possible.
Momo chased after him but stopped some meters away and waited until her prey turned to face her. It was completely silent but naught for the soft crush of snow on the ground and the sound of her own heart loudly pounding again with purpose; for the pleasure of seeing Aizen vulnerable excited the shit out of her.
She flipped her stick, so that the sharp end was facing forth and dashed towards him. The impact of her arm as she pushed it against his neck lurched him backwards, his head hitting the tree. Momo then pointed her weapon just an inch away from his clavicle.
And he believed her this time when she snarled. "Your last words..."
Oh she is for real. He held his hands up high and choked out, "whoa whoa whoa! I'm done playing. You win...you win!"
It didn't register to Momo at first, only when he used both his hands to force her arm lower and away from his neck did she step back. The blaze in her eyes slowly ebbed...
Inihara bent over holding his knees and coughed loudly, wheezing as he gasped for air. And it was some few awkward minutes later when he felt her soft touch on his back and a few more embarrassing minutes after, when he finally recovered.
He straightened and slowly reached for her hand. "I'm so sorry Hinamori but I had to do something drastic."
"No I'm sorry. I apologize for being a burden, Inihara-san."
"Hey, you are not a burden. I was, for the most part, angry that you haven't been eating." He held her chin so he's got her full attention. "Please stay Momo. I can't beg enough. And I'll never forgive myself for hitting you. I really am sorry." And I love you like the idiot that I am.
Hinamori became enamored by his stare. She did want to stay, and realized that this human boy does care for her —deeply. She just doesn't get it. "Why me?"
"I think you're hands down the most gorgeous girl I've ever met. A goddess that jumped right out of a book." Inihara replied without hesitation.
"A book of monsters I suppose."
He laughed wholeheartedly, he hasn't laughed like that in awhile. "Your humor is terribly twisted."
"I wasn't being funny."
"Hm." His eyes became serious, penetrating her character, "you kick butt that I've only seen in movies, and at this point I realized that you are way, way out of my league...and yet here you are, thinking yourself hideous." He paused to set a lock of her bangs to the side. "Momo, you're beautiful but your self esteem on the other hand, is just plain pathetic. Only thing I find about you that's flawed."
She shut her eyes and turned away because she's done with accepting compliments from men as they turn out to be lies eventually. She sat down with her legs folded underneath her and stared out the frozen lake.
"I am hideous." She murmured, bringing the black hood over her head.
He sighed heavily and sat next to her, though slightly forward so he could see her face. "Who broke your heart?"
She shook her head. Not liking where any of these questions were leading to.
"Was it that Hitsugaya dude?"
All she could do now was glare at her hands, which were tightly clenched on her thighs.
He snorted in derision. "He must be the stupidest guy alive."
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Did he hurt you—physically?"
"Ugh. No. He would never."
"Do you want me to hurt him?" And he would gladly do it too. The opportunity to wipe the arrogance off that bastard's face...
She shook her head again, looking a little offended. "If you can't even keep up with me Inihara-kun, then what makes you think you can beat him?"
..."I see." Ouch.
"Please. No more. Let's change the subject. Just ask me about anything else."
Shigeo sighed while stretching his legs out in front of him and leaned back, putting weight on his elbows. The surge of adrenaline earlier had him careless of the cold. "So how do you like the weather?"
"It's um...it's ok."
Her smile was shy, but it's a smile. He has made progress— with a question at that. "This place's weather is kinda weird...it mostly rains and it's warmer than most places during the winter. And cooler during the summer months. Rightly named too. Mount Mujun." He chuckled to himself, finding it ridiculous to be talking about something so mundane to someone he finds so absolutely fascinating.
"That's nice..."
"How did you learn how to fight like that?"
Her lips pouted, disappointed that the talks of weather abruptly ceased. "I learned at a young age. From where I come from... It's what I chose to do."
"Uh huh."
"What?"
"Can you be any more cryptic?"
Momo rolled her eyes and decided to just give him some truth, it'll be a nice diversion from all those other questions that she's unwilling to answer. Though she's completely assured too, to know she's able to modify his memories later. Her brief pause made him prod. "I mean, I'm trying to help but you're making it—"
"I'm not from this world, Inihara-kun."
The weird look he gave her made her roll her eyes again. Momo scooped up the ground with one hand and took off one of her green bracelets, content when she's got his full attention. "See this handful of soil topped with snow? Watch closely..."
And it was like looking through a time lapse camera as the snow slowly melted, and sprouts from the soil emerged towards the top, blooming into a little green garden in her hand.
"How. In. The living hell. Did you just do that?"
"I just told you."
"That you're a magician?"
"Baka! I'm serious."
"So what does this have to do with your ninja fighting skills?"
And Momo was happy enough to oblige.
...
...
...
The captain held the paper in front of him once more.
Toushiro,
I'm pregnant again. And I need some time to be alone.
It will do you more good to be with the children while I'm gone.
So please don't waste your time trying to find me.
Momo
Alone is underlined.
He must have read the letter for a thousandth time. To see if she left a code for him to decipher, if she was actually in peril, kidnapped or blackmailed, and was forced to write a letter to thwart intentions of finding her.
Though the news of her being pregnant was in truth, not so surprising this time around. But damn his paranoia, it's eating him alive! He can't just not look for her, especially in her condition. He has to find her. Today. Right now. But...
Kuso!
Alone is underlined.
He crumpled the letter as he's done this self-argument for the past five days. He did search for her, starting with her taicho who proved to be a much loyal confidant to his wife than he ever cared to discover. The fact annoyed him even more.
...
...
"What do you mean it's classified?"
Abarai was about to comment on this so-called "tensai" he's talking to, comment on why he's gotta repeat something to a fucking genius? But then quickly changed his mind. For the temperature in his office was already uncomfortably cold.
"Classified. Meaning it's for me—and not you—to know." Abarai tried to resume signing his reports.
"Did she tell you to say that?"
Renji looked up again at the captain standing a few feet from his desk. He actually felt bad for the guy. For if he were in the young captain's shoes, his own reaction wouldn't be too far off. But he reminded himself to stay his ground, a promise he's made to Momo. "Does it matter?"
... The younger captain shook his head, looking at the floor.
"And are you doubting the confidence that I've entrusted on my vice captain?"
Toushiro conceded. "No. Of course not."
"She also said she needed a week, or less. So I expect her to be back because it's kinda tricky running this place without her." Renji added. Now Hinamori didn't tell him not to mention that to her husband.
"She did?"
"Hai. And—"
"And what else?"
"...Can you stop him from doing that?" Renji was referring to the white-haired chibi sitting on his desk, clutching a pen with two hands as he vigorously scribbles circles on one of the reports. Kokone was on her usual perch, on the captain's lap braiding long red locks of hair.
"Hai. Sorry..." Toushiro carefully gathered up the babies— well, pried Kokone to be exact—and looked at Momo's unusually empty desk before leaving.
...
...
Damn it. It's been five days...Where could she be?
He suddenly shifted, ears pricked at the sound of muffled footsteps outside the hallway.
... Momo opened the door cautiously, even if she had fully expected the scene before her. He was sitting on one end of the sofa, elbows propped on his knees as he probably held his head from earlier she suspected. Their eyes met and locked, and any cowardly thoughts of escape that Hinamori might have had, was all left behind the door.
Toushiro stood up and with a few quick strides he had her in his arms. "Momo," he breathed.
"I'm... I just needed—"
"I know. As long as you're here...as long as you're okay."
She nodded against his chest, her eyes were detached but Hitsugaya didn't notice from the relief he felt nor did he notice that she's having a hard time breathing in his tight embrace. "Are you both okay?" His voice hoarse with emotion, scanning her face, her eyes.
"Hai."
Toushiro stepped back to inspect for himself, needing more assurance. He saw the familiar green bands on both her wrists and was amused, more to himself. "You really didn't want me to find you," he murmured.
At a total loss for words and presently exhausted from all emotion, Momo just remained quiet.
"Hinamori, are you alright?"
She nods.
"Yeah?"
She nods again.
Her silence was driving him to the brink. He made their foreheads softly bump, then closed his eyes. "I promise love, to give you all the space you need." Referring to his over-protectiveness during her first pregnancy, which he believed, to be the reason why she needed to get away before telling him the news. He feels her just breathe, with her eyes downcast.
"Oi, geez, say something..."
Momo mustered all her confidence to smile and meet his gaze. "Ne Toushiro, this mission is finally over and I don't know about you, but I'm going crazy from missing my babies."
And with that the captain kissed her hair then reluctantly let her go. He leaned his side against the door frame and watched her bustle her way about the large bedroom, packing for the trip back home.
...
...
...
...
"Oh Taichooooo..."
"Hn."
"Are you even listening?" The golden blonde ceased her nail-filing to pout towards the high-backed white chair, which presently was turned to face the window.
"Forgive me, Matsumoto." He apologized absently, then sniffled.
"Ayah. I asked if I could leave three hours early. I'm meeting up with Gin."
"Ah, sure. Go ahead."
Rangiku was content but was disturbed to receive such a quick permission as she sometimes look forward to these arguments with her taicho, the only time she can see his stoic face twitch in a comical way. It's just downright amusing.
She stashed her nail file in the drawer and walked beside the captain's chair, folding her arms. Her eyes followed where her captain's attention has gotten rapt... A tender smile appeared on her lips to see the young threesome in the garden.
Momo dangled from a branch of one of the tall Sakura trees. She was shaking it so that the twins would catch the falling blossoms. The toddlers are starting to master the art of walking, waddling around the tree to collect as many flowers as they could fit in their little hands. But then Momo would chase them around like a dog, making the activity all the more exciting. Rangiku laughed at Kokone's squeal when Momo had grabbed a hold of her ankles, consequently making the baby girl drop all her blossoms. Then Zenny, the opportunistic rascal, scoops them up while wobbling past to stuff it inside his shirt, whilst his sister was being tickled mercilessly.
Rangiku sobered then only to look down at her captain's slouched position. "Why aren't you out there with them?"
"I'm not feeling well. Momo and the children ...They might get sick." He sniffled followed by clearing his throat.
"Take the day off taicho."
"I just might."
Matsumoto unfolded her arms at that. Surprised to hear her captain's quick consideration of ditching the workload. Oh my, my poor taicho really isn't feeling well. She planned on canceling with Gin. "You also might want to check-in at the 4th division too. You look awful. Has Momo-chan seen you?" A little upset at her friend for not noticing.
"Ah." He replied, agreeing to the advice.
"Ayah. You're warm taicho! I'll go get Unohana right now." She flustered after touching his forehead. Though his firm grip on her arm halted her hysterics.
"You will do no such thing Matsumoto. Please get on with your day."
...Her pout was of motherly concern. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
The fukutaicho was assured from the promise held in the captain's aquamarine gaze. She sighed.
"Okay fine. But I'll check up on you later."
...
Hitsugaya remained where he was for another hour before letting out a sigh. A weary smile slanted his lips as more of the children's laughter pealed, finally dispelling some of the pounding in his temples. Though his bright outlook was soon trumped to the ground when its summoning presence silenced all background noise. The butterfly landed on his pen. Toushiro was disinclined yet readied himself for the first squad fukutaicho's debriefing.
"Good morning Captain Hitsugaya, an update on your training sessions if you may."
"It's going."
The older man ahemmed, an indication that he's about to get to the point. "It is imperative that you should be at the final stages of your cryopreservation training by this time. You did agree to take on this task?" He reminded.
Toushiro rolled his eyes upwards. "I am nearing its mark."
"The Soutaicho requires a more detailed report. I apologize for my persistence captain, but—"
"The cryopreservation on all my extremities, and the CNS have been completed. The thoracic region are in progress and will be completed by the end of this week," came his curt reply.
"I see...And have you encountered any bodily harm while in the process? You are— fundamentally—assaulting your own body."
"No."
"Very well. Thank you for your time then, Captain Hitsugaya."
The taichou dismissed the butterfly without saying anything as his annoyance couldn't be contained. He rolled his neck, and massaged the sore muscles from the discussed training.
It's been getting hard he had to admit... and Matsumoto was right; a trip to see Unohana is indeed something he's not able to put off any longer.
...
...
...
A couple weeks had passed.
Outside by the 7th division encampment...
"Crap."
A breeze had came out of nowhere and caught Momo in the midst of writing down a quick note on top of the stack of papers she was on her way to deliver.
She's already behind in her workflow that morning, with her taicho and Rukia off to their honeymoon in the real world. So she's running around doing both captain and vice-captain duties on top of trying to stick to her new schedule of going home at least two hours early every day. These hours are spent exclusively with the twins. Not only is this an essential part to her sanity, as the twins' rapid intake of information keeps her in constant wonder but also because once the new baby is born, her attention will be divided thin amongst the two older children.
... Momo now helplessly watched the pages fly in all and every direction towards the open fields. "Tsk. Just a grand way to start my day. Just absolutely wonderful."
She looked around if there were anyone to witness and see if she can ask them for help, but her luck hasn't been something that she could rely on nowadays. So Momo tucked her mildly overgrown bangs behind both ears and set off to do some flash-stepping.
But she hasn't even gotten a second page of paper when, "kyaah!" As she was suddenly whirled off course like a tornado, then was carefully laid flat down on the soft autumn grass.
The back of a haori billowed just above them, catching glimpses of the distinct tenth division insignia flapping about. His lopsided grin, to her dismay, was directed at her as she found herself ensnared underneath the white haired devil.
"Hey."
Momo's eyes narrowed but closed them and turned away, as if the sun behind him was much too bright. "I thought you were sick?"
He couldn't resist the amount of skin she unconsciously offered. He lowered his head, the tip of his nose touched her ear lobe to say, "I'm all better now, or I wouldn't be here on top of you like this. Would I?"
She caught a whiff of that fresh, masculine scent. Though quickly suppressing all the tingly sensations that her body would readily have for this man. "Please get off. I'm kind of busy."
"Too busy even for me?"
"Hitsugaya, if you may? I really don't have the time."
Toushiro was about to comment at her brusqueness but caught sight of all the papers that are littered about, some already miles away. He immediately left and came back just as she had just stood up and started dusting her hakama.
"Here. All 253 pages."
Momo stared at him. He didn't even look winded. The only indication was his disheveled hair. Some of the white bangs fell forward obscuring his right eye. How can a man look so boyish and yet so sexy at the same time? Momo resisted from running her hands through the soft, white mane to try and fix it.
"Oh—you shouldn't have... But thank you." She took the neat stack of documents he handed to her. She was too late to react however, when Toushiro got down on one knee to hold her ankle.
The captain reached for her waraji that had flung off from earlier and chuckled to himself. He was celebrating from finally getting a clean bill of health from Unohana after two weeks of close observation and felt freed, leaving the confines of the hospital first thing that morning to look for his wife. He carefully slipped her sandal in, then looked up smiling shyly. "Forgive me, for acting so childish."
He hasn't been alone with her ever since they got back from that last mission. They were both contiguously immersed with the clamor of shinigami duties, he with the soutaicho's specific training regimen, while Momo was busy helping out with her captain's wedding along with her division's demands, that it would leave them with a rushed night-time routine, with Momo so exhausted she would already be asleep even before he gets home for dinner.
"I missed you." Terribly. He confessed.
..."Uhm. The kids, they miss you too."
Momo watched him hold her waist as he studied her flat abdomen. There was so much tenderness in his eyes despite how tired they appeared from just recuperating.
"You shouldn't work so much Momo," he rose upon saying and held one of her hand.
"I'm—we're perfectly fine."
"Have you thought of any names?"
"No. Not yet." Oh but she has.
If Toushiro saw through the lie, he didn't act on it. Instead he gave her way seeing that she's in a hurry to leave. He brought her closer and kissed the back of her fingers, then grazed them gently along his jaw.
"Alright then. Off you go."
"Hai. Thank you."
...
A few nights later...
Toushiro peeked in the nursery, which is now furnished with two white toddler beds. There sat a storyteller on the cushioned chair in the center, too absorbed in her performance.
He listened to some bits of the bedtime story...
"The giant serpent dwells upon the most corrupt of villages, where the weak and selfish resides. It is said to lurk at night, slithering into people's houses and eating the children...with one swallow." She paused and looked at each bed, the occupants were both on their stomachs with their cheeks placed in between their palms. Expressions so avid it was just too precious. Matsumoto continued, lowering her voice to a whisper for an eerie effect.
"For years no one dared to seek this dark creature for they were much too cowardly. Until one day...a young man named Katsuro promised his desolate village to bring back this monster's head. He searched and searched until one night, he finally came face to face with the creature. As It turns out, it had three heads instead of one."
Kokone gasped. Zennyu sat up.
"Katsuro readied his sword and was surprised when the nameless monster spoke." Rangiku changed her voice to a even more ominous one, lacing it with hisses. "You are a brave sssoul. What isss your name?" ...
"Katsu-chan." Kokone blurted in a hush.
Matsumoto nodded. "You're right my darling...The serpent laughed. Hehehehe... Well well... But know thisss... I make handsss sweat, and feet grow cold, I visit the weak, but seldom the bold. And only a pure heart will have a chance at defeating me, for I am FEAR—"
"Oi!"
"AAAAH!" The three screamed when Toushiro purposely startled them.
"You fill my children's heads with these rubbish you call fairy tales, Matsumoto?" He questioned, chuckling as he picked up Kokone first, whom had her arms outstretched so to be protected in her father's strong arms. He kneeled on the floor and enclosed himself in her hug.
"Mou taicho, I was just getting to the best part. Wasn't I Zenny?" She kissed the boy who had curled up on her lap. The chibi nodded and lulled himself by sucking on his thumb. It was quiet for a while... Then Kokone, the more independent one, wiggled out of her father's arms and sauntered towards her dollhouse to tuck her own "babies" into their beds. That left Toushiro to just watch her from where he is, quietly entertained as his daughter meticulously tends to her toys...
"Taichou?"
Matsumoto addressed the sitting captain from behind, whom had his back leaned on the side of the bed.
"Hn."
"How's Momo-chan doing?" She noticed the subtle rise of his shoulder blades as he took a deep breath in. It was a weighted sigh.
"Pregnant."
"Well yes, I know that. But I'm just wondering how she is. She's been too busy to play catch up." Indeed. Hardly has she seen her friend as of late. It was just a rare case today when Momo was summoned in to take care of something urgent in the 5th division, hurriedly calling Rangiku to watch the twins. The exchange opened up a chance to plan a shopping trip next week with her dear friend—whom reluctantly agreed.
"I wouldn't know." He murmured.
"Eh?" She knew it! There was something odd about Momo-chan not visiting her sick taichou in the hospital.
The captain massaged his nape then sighed again, tilting his head back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He knew his fukutaicho will eventually figure the truth out, so he spoke openly.
"She can't stand to be near me."
"Oh. Oh I see... But wait...Hmm... From what I heard and read about these pregnancies, is that it's different every time. All the other senses are heightened — sense of smell, sight—taste... for example if Momo-chan loved peach ice cream all her life right? It would be perfectly normal if she comes to hate it during this pregnancy. She could hate everything that she used to love, hate it to the extent of making her vomit. Even From the mere smell of your cologne or the way you would fix your hair, or—"
"I got your point." He grumbled, "and I don't wear cologne."
"See? So don't feel bad. It will all just pass." She made her fingers flutter, as if she's shooing little dust particles in the air. Though careful as the little boy in her arms had started to doze off.
"Right. You sure made me feel a whole lot better."
"You're welcome. But don't make yourself too scarce or the children will start to notice." She was quite proud of herself despite her taicho's dry sarcasm.
... "You think we're doing the right thing, Matsumoto?"
For a second she was reminded of how young her taicho really is. Sitting there openly baring his soul while merely looking at the ceiling. "That's a loaded question..."
He snorted with a half smile.
Rangiku buried her nose in Zenny's hair, then gently settled her chin on it before replying. "But to put it simply...I think having children made out of pure love defeats all fears that our world instills. These children will survive taicho...And if Momo-chan is asking herself the same question, then it's your job to make her believe that you're doing the right thing. Fight the battles together. No one said it was going to be easy."
...
...
That night Toushiro had intentions of closing the rift that had made itself prominent the past few weeks. He planned on waking her up tonight and just to simply put—"catch up". The captain did his nightly rounds of the campus an hour early, and was lenient enough to overlook three officers gambling by the break room. Although he heard the drop of coins as they scrambled to clean it up before he walked past.
Hitsugaya was preoccupied running questions in his mind, questions he would finally have the chance to ask. ...Why is her phone off and why doesn't she notify or update him of appointments with Unohana? He was going to ask them nicely of course. He didn't want to be oppressive and make her vomit, or worse—make her run away again.
He slid the bedroom door slowly and had to pause, the aquamarine eyes had to blink a few times. The twins are on his side of the bed, snugly fast asleep with content little smiles on their faces. Their mother dozed on her end of the bed. It took a minute but the captain didn't complain when the warmness crept up in his chest, to see the bunch so peaceful.
Momo's last mission had taken a toll on all of them. So to finally see everyone in the same room was something to behold.
They're all here. Safe with me.
Hitsugaya stood there for a moment then headed to the shower. He was in a much better mood after his bath, moving about the room and finally turning off the light. Though he couldn't help but just stare at her moonlit face... He's been doing it every night but this time he sat on the space next to her, a little assured knowing she sleeps deeper in her condition.
With one hand he caressed her cheek, then gave in and leaned to give her a kiss. Just one, meant for a good night.
Momo's lips responded with a slight pucker. Her hands softly skimmed up his bare arms and ended at his nape, trapping him in with a moan. Toushiro didn't need any more invitation when her mouth opened for a deeper kiss, welcoming the hungry onslaught of his tongue. They fit so perfectly and so easily, that it's driving him mad that it took this long to make love again. He was about to lift her up and go to the nursery, or to the office? Which one is closer?
"Tou...shiro." She sighed, her eyes were still closed.
"Momo..." He whispered back.
Her arms became limp and her breathing became leveled. Meanwhile he's still panting with blood pulsing in his groin as he watched his wife drift back in her dreams...
Toushiro sat up and ran his hands through his hair. It was another fifteen minutes before he got all his wits back.
He moved the children to the center of the bed and arranged their blankets and then settled on his end. Having them close like this, along with Momo's reaction to his kiss made him feel secure with a better outlook for tomorrow, and with some peace for a restful night of sleep.
...
A/N: More fluff in the next chapter!