CHAPTER 39: WHY?

Tayomi and Hitsugaya lay on the ground motionless with their eyes in each other's direction, as their blood continued to pour all over the ground. Inside, Tayomi began to panic. Ichimaru had just released a deadly poison into either one of their bodies. It was a fifty-fifty chance for them both. It was in either her body, or his body. Though she felt like screaming due to the unbearable pain that overwhelmed and suffocated her, she was fully aware that he was going through the same thing as well. In her heart, she secretly hoped that the poison was released in her. She did not want it to be in him. She would rather lose her own life, than watch him lose his.

"Susu-chan... No..." She wept and shook her head slowly.

She watched as Hitsugaya lay beside her, his lifeless eyes frozen as blood dripped from the side of his mouth. With every ounce of energy in her body, she reached out to touch his face. It felt cold, freezing, just like how life had seemed to escape from his body and left his soul empty. Blood continued to make tiny blots on the ground. Tayomi could feel tears coming to her eyes almost immediately. The last thing she wanted was to lose him. She had tried to protect him from Ichimaru's blade, yet he was still the one suffering, having his blood gush out from his wounds. He was still unmoving. Tayomi could hear Ichimaru smirk and the shuffling of feet. They're probably leaving, about to happily report to that idiot Aizen with 'good news'. She heard more shuffling of feet and saw the other Shinigami looking at her. Her tears continued rolling down her cheeks, as Hitsugaya continued to bleed incessantly. Struggling, she tried to force herself to sit up, despite the fact that the other Shinigami were screaming at her, telling her not to move. Her blood had formed a huge pool on the ground and her wounds were practically killing her, but Tayomi forced herself up. Her tears fell onto Hitsugaya's face and trailed down his cheeks.

"I... have to...heal him..." She muttered, gasping for breath.

"Are you crazy? You're barely alive!" Renji shouted.

"We're contacting Unohana Taicho... Tayomi-chan, don't push yourself! Let Unohana Taicho do it..." Matsumoto pleaded with her stubborn friend.

"He... can't wait... that long... I have... to... save him..." She felt her blood pour. "Don't... stop me..."

She sat up, bearing with the pain of her injuries. Her hands began to glow and while supporting the weight of her limping body with her right hand, she used her left hand to pull open Hitsugaya's shirt, revealing the wound on his chest. She lifted up her skirt slightly, pulling out a dagger from a black band tied around her left thigh. Carefully and gingerly, she used the dagger to pry open the wound slightly. A light green aura glowed around his wound as she dropped the dagger on the floor and placed her left hand above his wound, where the sliver of Ichimaru's Zanpakutou had entered his body. With all the remaining energy left in her body, she clenched her fist and muttered a few words, likely to be a high level healing spell. Royal purple blood poured out of Hitsugaya's wound, until the little sliver of Ichimaru's blade exited his wound, lying among the pool of purple blood. It had disintegrated, with only half of the tiny piece of blade left. The other half was likely to have broken up in Hitsugaya's body and entered his bloodstream.

"Darn..." Tayomi sighed. "Half of... the poison... entered his bloodstream..."

Tayomi collapsed onto Hitsugaya's body, no longer having any strength to move. I really pushed it this time... I wish I could have pushed it a little longer... She saw her vision blur and turn foggy, as the images of her surroundings began to fade into black. Closing her eyes, she prayed that it would not be the end for them.

Tayomi woke up in the 4th Division's barracks. She rubbed her eyes and saw her friends forming a circle around her. Hisagi, Hinamori, Kira, Ukitake... They were all there, with a concerned look on their faces. Hinamori smiled at her Captain and held her hand, nodding at her. Hisagi patted her head and Ukitake simply heaved a sigh of relief, glad to see that she was alive. Kira smiled a little. Tayomi's eyes shot open, suddenly remembering something. She tried to get up, but cringed as the pain of her injuries acted up. Falling back down onto the bed, she took a deep breath, before attempting to get up slowly. Hisagi helped her up, appearing to know exactly what and who she was thinking of. His face fell, looking at his childhood friend so pained and frustrated. He had been worrying about her once he heard about her injuries. Observing the fear in her eyes, he knew that in her heart, in her mind, there was only one person. He helped her out and led her to Hitsugaya's room. The walk to his room was long and absolutely nerve-wrecking for Tayomi. Hisagi patted her head again, hoping she would calm down. Pushing open the door for her, Tayomi stared at Matsumoto, Renji, Ikkaku and Yumichika surrounded Hitsugaya. Hinamori followed them as well, knowing that her Captain would need all the emotional support she needed.

Once Tayomi saw Hitsugaya lying to the bed, unmoving, she could feel tears coming to her eyes. Slowly, she walked towards him, trying to hold back her tears. He was still unconscious. Taking his hands into hers, she gazed at him. The other Shinigami nodded at each other and decided to leave the room. Hisagi looked at his childhood friend reluctantly and patted her shoulder, before leaving the room.

"Susu-chan..." Tayomi could feel her tears drip down her cheeks.

Hitsugaya slowly opened his eyes and smiled at her, trying to tell her that he was fine.

"You idiot... You didn't have to take that stab for me..." She shook her head sadly.

"Yes I did." He tried to smile. "I swore I would protect you... I'd kill whoever touched you. One day, I'll kill Ichimaru... I'll kill Aizen..."

"Don't talk about that now." She put her finger over his lips. "Just rest now, alright?"

"But... I failed to protect you." He muttered.

"No..." Tayomi wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry for being angry at you... I know you just wanted to care for me, but I felt like you were stalking me..."

"I stalk you, because I love you." Hitsugaya sighed, using his hand to pull her closer towards him and kissing her on the lips.

Just then, Ukitake entered the room, informing Tayomi that Captain-commander Yamamoto wanted to see her. Tayomi nodded and poked Hitsugaya's cheek, before leaving his room.

"Tayomi Taicho, you will be returning to the Living World in a few days time, after your injuries are healed." Yamamoto spoke sternly.

"Yes, Sou-taicho." Tayomi replied. "What about Hitsugaya Taicho?"

"He'll be undergoing treatment in the 4th Division's barracks to completely purge Ichimaru's poison out of his system. Once he has fully recovered, he will rejoin you in the Living World. Do you have any more questions?"

Tayomi shook her head.

"Then you may go."

Tayomi bowed and turned to leave. In a few days time, she would be returning to the Living World to join Matsumoto, Ikkaku, Renji and Yumichika. Without Hitsugaya coming along with her. She sighed. For the time being, everything would be on her shoulders. Her team of Shinigami would be relying on her. She had to lead them, fend for them and cope with all that took place in Hitsugaya's absence. She knew she would miss him, because being separated from him was equivalent to torturing her.

Tayomi entered her room and stared into space for a moment, before her gaze lowered to the empty bed where Hitsugaya usually lay in. She sighed, grabbing the bunny that he had given to her and lay on his bed. He had left his black shirt on his bed, the black shirt which he usually wore to sleep. She held it close to her face and stuffed her face in it, as the scent of him wafted into her nose. Now, she missed him more than ever. She could not wait for him to rejoin them and continue their battle against Aizen. It was night time and she felt completely exhausted. Reluctantly, she got off his bed and placed his shirt and her bunny on her bed, dragging her feet to the bathroom to wash up.

She splashed her face with water and took a deep breath. For now, she would be on her own. And she would manage it well. Clenching her fists in pure resolve, Tayomi grew even more determined to carry out her duties and responsibilities well, for Soul Society and his sake. Aizen would never get the chance to create trouble. He would never dare to hurt anyone ever again.

Throwing herself on her bed, she hid under the covers of her blanket and hugged his shirt to sleep. The room felt so empty, so lifeless, without him to talk to her till she fell asleep. Just then, her phone began to ring. Tayomi yawned and picked up her phone.

"Why aren't you in bed yet?" A familiar voice spoke coldly.

Tayomi began to smile. That familiar voice... She knew it. She loved it. She was sure it was him.

"SUSU-CHAN!" She screamed into the phone excitedly.

"That was loud."

"Sorry..." Tayomi felt herself blush. "Are you okay? How's your injuries?"

"I'm fine."

"Eh... But..." She let out a yawn. "The poison..."

"You're obviously sleepy."

"I can't sleep."

"Why not?"

"Because you aren't here."

Hitsugaya sighed. That was just like her to say that. Even if she was tired, having her go to sleep always proved to be a difficult task. She had way too many thoughts in her head, keeping her up and awake. For a young girl, she had lots of things to worry about. Though she acted so carefree and cheerful all the time, Hitsugaya knew that beyond her bright smile, she hid many sercrets and troubles inside of her.

"What can I do, then?" He tried to sound slightly happier.

"Heh heh, you can quickly recover and rejoin us all back in the Human World."

"Alright. I will. Now, as for you, you should be sleeping."

"Okay. Goodnight Susu-chan!" Tayomi smiled.

"Goodnight, Sakuri." He thought for a moment before deciding what to say. "I... I love you."

"I love you too." Tayomi replied, before she hung up reluctantly. For him, she would definitely stay strong.

Author's Note:
Hitsugaya will be alright. Tayomi will be alright. They'll both be alright :D
Ahaha next chapter, we're gonna kill the seriousness because Chapter 40 is another Omake chapter! It's time for the Shinigami to explore the wonders that the internet has to offer XD Hitsugaya will kill Matsumoto once he sees the video of him and Tayomi on SoulTube (Remember in Chapter 29?) :P
Stay tuned for the next chapter! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter... Please review! Thanks! ^.^