Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, as much as I wish I did. If it were up to me, there would be an abundance of Vizard love and power that the manga/anime might need a new name.
Heads up: This story stands on its own, portraying the Vizards in the human world and in Soul Society. Unlike the other chapters, this final one makes a bit of a time skip. So, if you're not caught up with the TYBW ending, it may have mild spoilers. This one take place between the end of the war and before 'Can't Fear Your Own World' (which I haven't read in full, so I can't add it).
And just a quick note: Brace yourselves for Hiyori's colorful language! And a BUNCH of Fluff, you deserve it for reading all the fighting and name calling. Also, we will have a very mild NSFW scene, some ambiguous stuff and heavy making out, so if you're not into that; feel free to skip.
This is taking inspiration from Taylor Swift's "Hits Different" song. Concert was awesome and I can't get enough of it.
Chapter 4: The key
I heard your key turn in the door down the hallway
Is that your key in the door?
Is it okay? Is it you?
Or have they come to take me away?
.
.
A sudden rift in the sky gave way to a petite blonde woman with pigtails, clad in a black Shinigami uniform. Sarugaki Hiyori's emergence from the Senkaimon was so swift that it generated a whirlwind outside the Vizard warehouse. Having pestered Akon for a relentless 24 hours, she had finally worn down the exhausted and injured 3rd seat of the 12th Division. She vividly recalled his muttered words during the ordeal: "The only reason I'm letting you through is because you're so irritating." The memory had etched itself into her mind with a pleasurable after taste.
While the rest of the Vizards chose to remain and offer their assistance once the chaos in the Shinigami world subsided and peace was restored, Hiyori, true to her nature, went against the grain. She returned to Karakura under the pretend of looking after the "children" Kisuke had taken in as his own. Even though Tessai-san was technically the one looking after them, using the children as an excuse to escape the confines of the Seireitei was a convenient option for the former Lieutenant.
Urahara Kisuke, the idiot shopkeeper, had managed to land himself out of commission for an extended period due to the intervention of an "eccentric Quincy," as he put it. These were his words when she entered the room where he was recovering. Accompanying him was a green-haired female Arrancar who sported a skimpy uniform that could rival even Yoruichi's most audacious attire. It turned out this evolved Hollow had been the one to save Kisuke. Hiyori didn't hold back her characteristic gruffness, immediately telling him to get his act together and heal quickly, albeit in her own unique way—more of a "kick your ass into the grave" than a conventional "get well soon." With her peace said and her intent clear, she left the realm of the Shinigami behind.
The past two weeks weighed heavily on her thoughts, like a stormcloud looming above. From the asinine mission Shinji had practically ordered her to undertake, to collaborating with the twisted Mayuri, to enduring the assault on the Soul Palace and witnessing the overwhelming might of the mastodont Quincy, it had been a whirlwind of chaos. Even the Gotei 13 Captains' combined strength had proven insufficient to conquer the Quincy menace, but after all, and just like usual, all was well in the realm of the living and the death.
However, amid the tumult caused by the Quincies, there was a single facet that succeeded in riling Hiyori more than anything else—an aspect that could prompt her to leave the confines of that hypocritical, bureaucratic place she had once called home over a century ago. This distinct source of frustration had a name, and it had a face: Aizen. Just the mere thought of him nonchalantly strolling around with unrestricted freedom, as if he owned the place, and worse yet, teaming up with Ichigo, a hero who had once fought by their side, had the power to transform her simmering anger into a full-fledged, fiery fury that seemed to burn deep within her core.
Her frustration manifested physically, her trembling hands belying her irritation. She entered the Vizard warehouse with one destination in mind: her room. She dashed from the entry passing the living room and up the destroyed stairs not bothering to turn on any lights. The darkness offered solace as she entered her room and without hesitation started to shed the accursed uniform that Love and Kisuke had FORCED her into wearing. Every layer of the Shihakusho felt like an affront, stinging her skin with its touch.
As she was about the remove the white shitagi, she was startled by a voice, "Please don't stop on my account, that was a good show."
Startled, she hurled one of the waraji sandals she had just removed in the direction from which the voice and reiatsu emanated. The result was less satisfying than she'd hoped – had it been her typical yellow sandal, it might have left a mark on his flat face, but the blonde idiot had actually caught the soft material before it reached its intended destination.
"What the fuck are you doing here, you dimwit? Aren't you supposed to be in your precious Seireitei, Captain? What kind of leader abandons their post when there's so much to be done?" Before her stood Hirako Shinji, donning his Captain's uniform and comfortably settled in the small chair at the even smaller desk that occupied Hiyori's bedroom. His usual infuriating Cheshire grin was plastered across his face.
Shinji leaned back, seemingly impervious to her irritation, his nonchalant demeanor exuding an air of unruffled calm. His gaze fell upon his own fingernails, as though they held the mysteries of the universe within their minutiae. "Mess is still gonna be there, ya know, even if I take a couple of hours off. And I haven't had a chance to see you, brat. You bolted outta there so fast, I figured I'd use my own Senkaimon key to beat you back here."
His words bore a touch of amusement, an almost playful undertone that contrasted the storm of emotions swirling within Hiyori.
I thought you were gravely injured, she had wanted to say, her concern for his well-being battling with the awkwardness of her current situation—clad only in her very white and see-through shitagi. However, what actually came out was just a dry: "I thought you were still at the 4th." The dim lighting in the room obscured the exact nature of her expression, leaving Shinji unable to discern whether the worry etched across her face was due to his health or the rather revealing attire she found herself in.
"Nah-ah, they released me ages ago," he responded, moving his arm as if he hadn't a care in the world. "You see, fit as a fiddle." Her gaze traced over his battered and bruised appearance, realizing 'battered and bruised' was an understatement. His bandages peeked out from beneath his white haori, souvenirs from his confrontation with the first major Quincy he faced, Sternritter E - the Explode. More bandages adorned him after being squashed by the giant Viking-like Quincy, an experience he shared with the rest of their group.
Deciding to tread on familiar ground in their peculiar interaction, she opted for the safer route—hurling playful jabs as a means of returning to some semblance of normalcy. "It's a miracle you've managed to survive this long without proper adult supervision," she quipped, her words carrying an undertone of banter. "Oh, but I guess your Fukutaichou probably fills in as the 'adult' in that scenario. I've heard rumors that she carried you like a princess for hours on the battlefield." Her comment came across with an air of nonchalance, accentuated by the knowing smirk that graced her features.
The older blonde narrowed his eyes at her comment, a flicker of amusement mixed with a hint of irritation crossing his expression. "You've got quite the imagination, Hiyori," he retorted with a wry smile. "But at least someone's looking out for me, right?"
Hiyori's smirk turned into a mischievous grin as she leaned in slightly, clearly enjoying their banter. "Oh, don't get me wrong," she quipped, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm. "I'm sure your 'princess carry' on the battlefield is the talk of the Soul Society." She let out a short chuckle, crossing her arms as she continued to tease him. "But hey, if that's what keeps you going, who am I to judge?"
Shinji's lips curled into a mischievous grin, clearly ready to redirect the spotlight. "Speaking of attention," he countered with a playful glint in his eyes, "I must admit, Hiyori, you really know how to make a fashion statement with your classic 'shitagi' look. Is it the latest trend now?" He raised an eyebrow, a hint of laughter in his voice, hoping his comment would shift the focus away from his own battlefield escapades.
Hiyori's eyes sparked with fiery indignation at Shinji's playful jab. She shot back with a scowl, "Get bent, Baldy. Love and that idiot Kisuke forced me into this outfit, and I was in the middle of changing when you decided to invite yourself into my room, you pervert." Her tone was a mix of annoyance and embarrassment, not one to back down from a verbal exchange.
"Pervert?" he chuckled, "Who in their right mind dashes through a Senkaimon and starts undressing in the dark without any warning?" The amusement in his eyes making his brown iris shine.
"Excuse me?" Hiyori retorted with an incredulous look. "I'll have you know that I didn't exactly expect anyone to barge in uninvited, especially not you."
Shinji's grin widened, his glee undeterred. "Well, maybe next time you'll remember to lock the door, sweetheart," he teased, his tone light and teasing.
Her scowl deepened, but a spark of humor flickered in her eyes despite herself. "Next time, I'll make sure you're not within a hundred miles before I even think about changing. And don't call me that!"
He held his hands up in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll remember to knock before entering your royal chambers, even if you are not there."
A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips as her initial annoyance began to ebb away. "See that you do, or you might just end up with a 'sweet' bruise."
They shared a moment of mutual amusement before Hiyori shook her head, her fiery demeanor returning. "Just get out of here, Shinji. Before I decide to introduce you to the sharp end of my Zanpakutō."
He laughed, his expression softening. "Geez, Hiyori, you don't have to be so hostile," he said. The current Captain pointed a finger at her and continued in a teasing voice. "I'm not here to judge your fashion sense, I'm just here for a little chat."
Hiyori arched her brow skeptically, but Shinji quickly continued before she could protest. "Come on; it'll give us a chance to catch up; we hardly have had a chance to speak since this whole shitshow started." He paused briefly as he looked away from her for a moment, the seriousness of his expression suddenly shifting. Then he met her eyes again with an earnest look which belied his previous teasing tone. "I also want to check you are not hiding any injuries, dummy. That gigantic Quincy got you good."
"You are the one to talk…" She muttered very low. Hiyori sighed and rolled her eyes. There was no use arguing with him; she knew when she had been outmatched. She gave him an exasperated look before relenting with a sigh. "Very well, you win... this time," she conceded with a neutral expression.
Shinji smiled and bowed his head in mock reverence before straightening back up and giving her an assessing look. "Hey, why don't you let me turn around while you finish changing? We could talk some more while I give you some privacy."
Hiyori blinked in surprise at Shinji's offer; she hadn't expected such chivalry from him of all people and to be honest she hesitated at the offer, but she didn't feel any teasing from him on that statement. With initial reluctance, she found herself nodding in agreement. "Yeah, okay. Thanks, I guess, Baldy," she said, feeling a small blush creep up her cheeks and going down her neck.
Shinji turned around and casually leaned against the wall, his arms crossed in a relaxed manner. He patiently waited for Hiyori to finish changing, his expression a mix of nonchalance and amusement.
Meanwhile, Hiyori wasted no time. With a sense of haste, she swiftly slipped off her shitagi, exchanging it for the welcoming embrace of an oversized t-shirt and a pair of shorts. The comforting touch of cotton against her skin felt like a small victory. "So, what did you want to talk about?" she asked, eyeing him curiously.
Shinji turned around and was met with a rush of newfound energy as he locked eyes with Hiyori. She had slipped into one of his old shirts, and her decision to free her hair from those dreaded elastics, allowing it to cascade over her shoulders, struck him with a captivating allure. The intensity of his emotions made him hesitant to express them outright, for fear of spooking her, but thoughts of her had occupied his mind all day. And now, here she was, her demeanor more agreeable than her usual fiery self. Despite the flutter of nervousness within him, he leaned against the wall, determined to gather the courage to voice his feelings.
"I wanted to ask you how you're doing," Shinji began, his tone cautious yet sincere, his heart pounding a bit faster. He felt a twinge of embarrassment at the potential sappiness of his question. "Things have been so chaotic in the last few hours that I don't even know the basics about you. Lisa said something about your ankle being sprained."
Hiyori's countenance softened as Shinji's words reached her ears, a calm smile curving her lips. It was clear to her that his concern was genuine, and the feeling of safety that his presence invoked wasn't lost on her. With each step, she closed the gap between them, positioning herself just an arm's length away.
"I'm doin' alright," she responded softly, her voice carrying a soothing warmth. She hesitated, aware of the direction he might be steering the conversation towards. "If anyone should be answering that question, it's you, Dum-dum," she retorted, her usual playfulness making a return as an adventurous hand reached out to caress his cheek, her touch both bold and gentle.
Feeling a rush of warmth spreading through him, Shinji couldn't help but lean slightly into her touch, appreciating the contact between them. "I'm okay, Hiyori," Shinji replied, his voice steady yet filled with an underlying emotion. He locked eyes with her, his gaze unwavering. "I'm okay now that I'm here." The weight of his words held a depth of meaning, expressing more than just his physical presence in the room.
Slowly, he leaned forward, almost closing the gap between them. He lingered there for a moment, his breath fanning her face as he felt himself being pulled further into her orbit, the sensations of their shared energy intensifying until it felt like they were standing in an entirely different plane of existence. Time seemed to stand still, their focus solely on each other as Shinji let his gaze travel all over her face - from those honey eyes that held a knowing twinkle and a hidden kindness; to that lush mouth that promised every kind of pleasure imaginable. He could feel the gentle thrumming of her heart, beating in perfect harmony with his own.
The intensity of the moment was overwhelming yet exquisite at the same time. And so without another word or hesitation, Shinji leaned forward and cupped her face in both hands before pressing his lips against hers, a kiss that held both promise and passion, its power conveying far more than any words could have done.
Hiyori tasted like sweet honey and tea as she leaned into him, the two of them seeming to melt into one another. Her hands moved up his chest and around his neck, pulling him ever closer towards her until their bodies were pressed against each other in an embracing hug. Their kiss deepened further still until one was unable to tell where one began and the other ended.
Time stood still for those few precious moments as they lost themselves in one another's embrace which seemed all at once both familiar yet new. It felt like coming home after being away from your loved ones for far too long.
Their interactions always followed a predictable pattern, especially when they took a physical turn. Amidst their banter, Hiyori tended to overlook the sheer height of Shinji, how much he truly towered over her. It was something she often forgot, a fact that temporarily escaped her awareness. This was particularly true after those prolonged stretches when he was away for months. But his proximity now felt different, more intimate.
The sound of his voice mumbled against her lips snapped her back to reality, his tone carrying a soft and subtly sarcastic undertone. "I guess you weren't really concerned about me, were you?"
In response, she let out a groan, her words sounding as if they were emerging in slow-motion, "It's not my job to worry about you. You should go ask your precious Gotei 13th if they're worried."
Shinji smiled at her retort moving his lips less than an inch from hers and proceeded to explore down her jaw and neck with light kisses and gentle caresses. His fingertips danced along her skin as he savored the warmth of her body against his own.
As Shinji continued to study her neck and shoulders with soft touches and kisses, Hiyori's body began to respond in kind. She felt a familiar heat building within her, a pulsing desire that she had only ever experienced with him. Her hands traced the lines of his body, feeling the hard planes and contours through his clothes. Realizing where her attention might be headed, Shinji moved closer to her and softly captured her lips with his again. The former Lieutenant felt the cold steel of his piercing against her warm tongue.
Shinji drew her even closer, if possible, his voice a gentle murmur as he whispered, "I don't know what I'd do without you, Hiyori."
"Good thing you don't have to find out," she responded, her tone equally soft but with a hint of mischief. With a playful nudge, she pushed the captain's haori off him, only to reveal his vest and cravat, and underneath it all, his full Shinigami uniform. Her gaze settled on the layers of attire, and an annoyed expression crossed her face. "Why d'ya gotta pile on so many damn clothes, huh?"
He laughed, one of those breathy laughs that ignited a desire to capture his lips with hers in a timeless embrace. And thus, a just as they had done twice within the span of the last five minutes, she surrendered to that urge once more, savoring the taste of his laughter as their lips met.
Yet, as much as she cherished these stolen seconds, her mind couldn't help but wonder. The exact date of his last visit had faded from her memory, an inconsequential detail in this present moment. In truth, it hardly mattered to her right now, especially not with the way he made a point to reach out every day. His texts arrived like clockwork, a daily check-in that held the warmth of his concern and the unspoken plea for her to venture to Soul Society and visit him. His demanding role as Captain, with its myriad duties and responsibilities, had rendered his schedule a tangled web, virtually impossible to unwind. Given these circumstances, the logical choice seemed for her to traverse the realms, journeying between the worlds to maintain their connection. That is, of course, if she hadn't impetuously hurled the soul ticket, he had gifted her into the river a mere two seconds after he had placed it in her hand.
"Am I boring you?" His voice tenderly guided her back to the present, his face lingering just inches from hers.
She met his gaze, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Not yet" she retorted with a lively grin, her tone light and teasing.
"Let's entertain little Hiyori then," he responded with a smirk, a sense of anticipation lacing his words. He easily lifted her up and carried her to the bed, settling her down gently as he began to remove some of her clothing. The shorts were the first thing to go, leaving her bare legs exposed to him. Shinji's eyes roamed over her body, taking in every inch with a hunger that left her breathless.
He traced a finger lightly down her neck towards the swell of her chest, leaving a trail of goosebumps in his path. His eyes focused on the sensual curve of her lips as they turned upwards in a small grin. Shinji's lips seemed to dance across her body, his adventurous finger moved through her collarbone and down her shoulder. The beating of his heart filled his ears, loud enough to drown out the rest of the world. He could hear Hiyori's heartbeat too. The sound of their breathing seemed incredibly loud.
As it wasn't possible, the sound of Shinji's breathing sped up as her hands traced their way up his chest and around his neck, her lips found his and the two of them were lost in a row kiss deeper than anything they had experienced before.
The room was filled with nothing but the sounds of kisses and the rustling of bedsheets for a couple of minutes. Yet, amid the quiet, she chose to shatter the stillness. "You did THAT on purpose, didn't you?" the girl asked, her voice carrying a mixture of exasperation and a hint of vulnerability as she was nearly overwhelmed by the emotions, he had ignited within her. In response, he emitted a low growl into her neck, a sound that seemed to resonate with a blend of mischief and desire.
She continued; her accusation sharp yet colored with a sort of begrudging admiration for his strategic maneuvering. "The ridiculous mission to fix the distortion between the realms? You wanted me out of the battle, you jerk."
His reply was laced with feigned innocence, "I don't know what you're talking about. And even if I did, do you really want to jump into a Shinigami fight? I thought you despised every single one of us," he mused, his lips creating a tantalizing path along her stomach, sending shivers trailing behind them. "And, let's be honest, it wasn't as ridiculous as you make it out to be. Thanks to that little escapade, we managed to ascend to the Soul Palace." His words carried an undeniable twinkle of amusement, a dance between cheeky evasion and undeniable truth.
"For all the good it did…"
"Hiyori." He used her name as a warning sign, he said it sternly, a note of seriousness in his tone as he addressed her negativity. "Drop this right now, okay?"
She huffed and puffed, her cheeks puffing out as she rolled her eyes at him, clearly annoyed. He carried on, shifting to a lighter tone. "I am occupied at the moment, and you are distracting me," he chided, his words punctuated by his fingers moving down her body.
"I though you came here to talk" she snickered and as a response he sucked her skin hard next to her bellybutton leaving a quick red mark.
"I hope for your sake that won't leave a mark, Baldy. I made a promise to Lisa that I'd hit the beach with her once she's back from your ridiculous Soul Society excursion. The last thing I need is to endure her insufferable glances and side comments while having to explain why I'm sporting blotchy spots all over," she retorted, her annoyance palpable.
He continued at his work playing with the elastic band of her underwear. "Just tell her the truth: the love of your life missed ya like crazy and couldn't keep his mitts off ya among other things." he teased; his words laced with a touch of cheekiness.
Without skipping a beat, she fired back, "And where might I run into this enigmatic love of my life? Got anyone in mind you could introduce me to, Hirako Taichou?" Her words were quick and cutting.
That was the final straw.
He climbed on top of her, his hands and mouth exploring every inch of her skin. She moaned and gasped as he found all the places that made her shiver with pleasure, his touches sending waves of sensation throughout her body.
"That's for being a bad Hiyori" he chuckled in between breathy moans and this time no clever retort came from her; all she could do was to say his name very low and make some grouting noises more closer to moaning than actual understandable words.
Their bodies moved together, the passion between them building with each touch and kiss. Hiyori's fingers tangled in Shinji's hair as he trailed kisses down her collarbone, his hands roaming over her curves as she arched into his touch. Their breathing grew ragged as they explored each other, lost in the intensity of the moment.
.
.
"I did worry," she confessed softly, her words slipping against the crook of his neck, breaking the pleasant silence that had lingered between them as their breathing gradually settled.
"I know you did. But you shouldn't have," he replied tenderly, his fingers tracing a gentle, loving figure-eight pattern on the skin of her back.
She made a long deep sight and snake her arm around his chest getting even closer to him. "I guess bad weed never dies." She quipped, trying to make the topic a bit lighter.
"Ha-ha"
Hiyori shifted slightly; their bodies still close as they continued their conversation. "You know," she began, her tone more serious now, "those Quincies were no joke. They could've wiped us out." Her fingers unconsciously traced patterns on his chest as she spoke.
He narrowed his warm, chocolatey eyes, a playful glint within them, as he chuckled. "US?" His tone carried a hint of amusement.
A look of mock horror crossed her features at the realization of her words.
"Are you seriously counting yourself as a Shinigami, Sarugaki-san?" His words held a playful challenge.
She fumbled for an explanation, trying to backtrack her statement, but he was quick to seize the opportunity and steer the conversation.
He leaned in closer, his expression a mixture of mischief and triumph. "Oh, come on now, don't try to wiggle your way out of this one. You were practically beaming on that Shihakushō, the one Love and Kisuke practically forced you to wear." He mimicked her voice in a high-pitched tone, earning a laugh.
Her cheeks tinted pink, and she shot him a half-hearted glare. "I WAS NOT BEAMING! And yes, they did, you Idiot. Don't you dare call me a liar. Just because I had to put up with you lot doesn't mean I'm joining your Shinigami club."
The taller blonde chuckled, the playful atmosphere between them palpable. "Well, well, I think you secretly enjoyed it. Maybe I should start pulling some strings in Squad 13 and nominate you as the Substitute of the substitute Shinigami. Ichigo would probably love the break."
She narrowed her eyes at him, a playful scowl forming on her face. With a slight huff, the former Lieutenant gave him a gentle shove, the corners of her lips betraying a hint of a smile. "You're so full of yourself, Hirako." Her tone held a mix of exasperation and fondness.
He winked at her, a mischievous glint in his eye, as if he was sharing an inside joke. Seizing the moment, he didn't waste any time and used it to his advantage. He subtly shifted his position, pulling her a tad closer until their bodies were almost pressed together, their proximity so intimate that their breaths mingled. Their faces were mere inches apart, their noses practically touching, creating a charged atmosphere. "And you secretly love it, Hiyori," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of playfulness and confidence, his words hanging in the air between them.
She scoffed, though there was a glimmer of affection in her eyes. "Don't you dare get all sentimental on me, Baldy."
He chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Just stating the facts, Hiyori." His lips were just inches away from hers, a kiss seemingly imminent, when a sudden interruption shifted his focus. The soft glow of his cell phone illuminated his surroundings, and its persistent vibrations against the surface caught his attention. He released a resigned sigh, his body shifting slightly as he turned in the direction of the intrusive object. With a gentle yet regretful gesture, he loosened his hold on Hiyori, allowing his fingers to slip from her grasp as he moved to address the interruption. His hand rose, seeking to shield his eyes from the unwelcome light of the phone's glow, his fingertips brushing through his fringe in a habitual manner as he redirected his attention.
His gaze settled on the source of the disturbance, a resigned expression softening his features as he extended his arm towards the nightstand. His fingers reached out, their touch wrapping around the phone's sleek surface, the coolness of the device offering a brief contrast to the warmth of their earlier closeness. "Apparently the mess cannot wait the couple of hours I said," he remarked, his voice carrying a subtle mix of amusement and acceptance.
With practiced ease, he flipped open the phone, his eyes scanning the urgent text from Momo. The words revealed a new development: a previously undiscovered section of the 5th Squad, somehow still alive amidst the wreckage. A soft curse escaped his lips as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. "Fuck," he muttered to himself, a hint of frustration lacing his voice as he contemplated the challenges that lay ahead.
As he turned his attention away from the communication device, he found Hiyori now seated on the opposite side, her form partially concealed by the bedsheet that draped over her. The frustration on her face was palpable, a clear reflection of her displeasure at the interruption. Meeting her gaze, he let out a heavy sigh, the weight of his responsibility evident in his expression.
A sense of guilt crept over him, knowing that his departure was far from ideal timing. He used her nickname, a mix of endearment and apology, as he addressed her. "You're not gonna like this, Luv, but duty's calling," he admitted with a tinge of regret. The conflict between his commitment to his responsibilities and his desire to remain with her was evident in his voice. "I really have to go," he concluded, the weight of his words underscoring the inevitability of his departure.
He observed her in silence, his heart aching with the weight of the imminent departure he was about to make. Every fiber of his being wished to remain by her side, yet the responsibilities he carried couldn't be set aside. Letting out a heartfelt sigh, he closed the physical and emotional distance between them, wrapping his arms around her from behind in a warm and protective embrace.
His voice held a soft and comforting tone as he spoke directly to her ear, wanting to ease any potential worries or concerns that might be brewing within her. "Hey, before your thoughts run wild and you start imagining things in that immature head of yours, I want you to know that I'm not exactly thrilled about leaving," he confessed, his words genuine and sincere. He continued, his voice tinged with both resolve and regret, "I really wanted to be with you at least a couple more hours. But I've got to make sure everything's in order with the squad." The internal struggle he faced was evident in the way he held her and the words he chose to share.
She averted her gaze, her initial annoyance giving way to a tinge of sadness. "Yeah, yeah, off to play the noble captain, I understand," she muttered knocking on his head twice without force, her voice carrying a mixture of resignation and disappointment. Frustration lingered beneath her words as she attempted to push him away.
Refusing to let her slip away so easily, the taller blonde maintained a firm yet gentle grip on her, his lips finding their way to her shoulder for a tender kiss. His words were sincere and laced with determination. "I'll make it up to you, promise."
At last, she yielded to his insistence and turned to meet his gaze, the edges of her lips curving into a faint smile that battled with her lingering frustration. "You better,"
He leaned in, capturing her lips in a gentle, reassuring kiss. The moment held a mix of longing and hope, a silent promise that their bond would remain unbroken despite the distance. As the kiss lingered, it felt as if time itself stood still, encapsulating their emotions within its embrace. When their lips finally parted, he held her gaze, his eyes reflecting his sincerity. "See you soon, Hiyori."
With a sense of reluctance, he gathered his belongings and left the room, his steps carrying him a few paces away before he came to an abrupt halt. An inner conflict waged within him, and he couldn't ignore the doubt that had taken root. Within moments, he turned back, re-opening the door as quickly as he had closed it.
"Did you forget something, Baldy?" Her voice held a lingering trace of hurt, and he couldn't help but notice the glistening in her eyes, a telltale sign of emotions she was trying to conceal.
He met her gaze, his expression softened. "Yes," he said with a slight nod, his eyes locking onto hers, conveying a sense of sincerity. And then, his typical Cheshire cat smile appeared, spreading across his lips as he continued, "You." The word hung in the air, carrying a mix of playfulness and meaning that only they understood.
She blinked in surprise, her confusion evident. "Huh?"
A gentle smile tugged at his lips. "Grab that Shihakushō, Chibi. You're coming with me."
Her eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and disbelief flickering in her gaze. "You're out of your mind if you think I'm going to play Shinigami dress-up and run around with your squad," her usually fiery tone returning slowly.
He chuckled, the sound warm and teasing, as he closed the distance between them. His eyes held a playful glint as he regarded her. "Oh, come on now, Hiyori. It'll be a fun adventure. Don't tell me you're afraid of a couple of Shinigami simpletons and some squad antics. I thought you were made of tougher stuff than that." His words were accompanied by a gentle nudge, as if he was trying to nudge her out of her irritable mood.
A small smirk tugged at her lips, and she raised an eyebrow in mock disbelief. "Oh, please. As if hanging around with a bunch of uptight Shinigamis in their ridiculous uniforms is my idea of fun."
He grinned, clearly undeterred by her sarcasm. "Well, it'll be a change of scenery at the very least. And who knows, you might find it surprisingly entertaining."
She huffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "Entertaining, huh? If you think I can't read your idiotic manipulations, asshole, you're sadly mistaken."
The small blonde crossed her arms, clearly still resistant. "And what's in it for me?"
He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "A chance to show off your skills, annoy the hell out of everyone, and spend some more time with yours truly."
Her response was swift and sharp, a hard slap landing on his face.
After a moment of contemplation, she sighed. "Fine, I'll come with you. But only because you're begging extra hard. And let's get something straight: I'll be bringing my own clothes. I absolutely refuse to strut around in those absurd black and white pajamas. And mark my words, I'm counting on some delicious food during this escapade. My stomach is practically gnawing at my backbone here."
He quickly checked his nose for any signs of broken bones before attempting to plant a swift kiss on her lips. However, she deftly dodged it. "Hey, that was an illegal hit! I think I deserve some compensation for that," he protested with a playful grin.
She rolled her eyes in response, then grabbed his haori to pull his mouth down to her level, granting him a quick peck on the lips.
"I knew you couldn't resist my charms, brat," he quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes. His words were met with a swift retaliation as she promptly hit him again.
And as they walked out of the room together, hand in hand, he couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the unexpected turn of events. Sometimes duty and chaos could bring unexpected moments of togetherness, and he was more than willing to seize every opportunity to have her by his side as much as she would allow him, even if it meant blackmailing her. Because with her, everything hit different – the banter, the frustration, the tenderness – it was all magnified and transformed, making every moment shared with her an adventure he was more than willing to embark on.
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Omake
"Alright then, I'm out," Shinji remarked, pushing his chair back as he got up from the meeting table. The discussion with his Lieutenant and the few remaining seated officers had been productive enough.
Just as he was about to use shunpo to leave what was left of the 5th Squad barracks, a determined voice called out, "Hold on a sec, Taichou, Hirako Taichou!" It was a stern, almost worried tone coming from Hinamori Momo. She hurriedly jogged after him, her expression a mix of concern and urgency.
Shinji paused, glancing back to see the Lieutenant approaching. He raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh, hey there, Momo. Whatch goin' on?"
Hinamori's expression shifted from stern to slightly exasperated. "There's still so much that needs to be done," she stated, her words punctuated with a hint of frustration. "Where do you think you're going? This isn't the time to be taking off and leaving duties undone."
Shinji scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "You've got a point, I guess," he admitted, his tone casual despite her clear concern. "But hey, sometimes a guy's gotta stretch his legs, you know? Don't worry, I won't leave you all to handle everything alone." He flashed her a reassuring smile, and ruffled her head, hoping to alleviate some of her worries.
The young brunette sighed in resignation. "Say Hi to Sarugaki-san for me, okay?"
In response, Shinji's lips curled into a playful grin. He gave a casual wink, a silent promise to deliver the message. And just like that, he dissolved into thin air, leaving behind a faint sensation of his presence before it, too, faded away.
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AN:
I just had to create that Omake. Any excuse to bring Momo into this quirky relationship between the two dorks is my pleasure. And yes, he was IRRESPONSIBLE, in capital letters, to leave the Seretei after all that. But let's cut the guy some slack; he almost died like five times.
Did I write this Omake when I hit a block in the storyline? Yes, yes I did, and again, no regrets whatsoever.
'I've heard rumors that your Fukutaichou carried you like a princess for hours on the battlefield" This is in fact true Hiyori, Kubo did Shinji so dirty in this arc. Not sure how the 151 cm (4'11½") / 39 kg (86 lbs) Hinamori was able to move around in 2 separate instances the 176 cm (5'9½") / 58 kg (128 lbs) Shinji across an active fighting area, again TWICE.
A cookie goes to anyone who can spot the homage to Shinji's first love line, which has now transformed into him referring to himself as Hiyori's love of her life.
Also about the end, do I think cannon!Hiyori would go back with him to help him at SS? No, she would not. Did I send her to manifest it? You betcha.
On that note, I really tried not to push this chapter into gutter territory, but I think I may have failed just a tiny bit.
A To bring some clarity to this timeline, they actually got together after the whole "you got cut in half" incident (she made the first move and he just gave in—I headcanon he thinks too much about her feelings and how everything would play out to make the first move, but after she initiated, he reciprocated tenfold). They maintained a "healthy" (as healthy as you can assume for these two) long-distance relationship, with him coming into the Real World way more often than her visiting him in the 5th. Side note—we are pretty much going to ignore the whole "virgin bride" thing. They've pined for each other for God knows how long; let them have some S-E-X, please.
Another headcanon, which is basically fan-canon at this point, is him feeding her all the time. YES, YES, YES!
I'm really thinking of writing a 3.5 chapter about this, because even though it's not in the original line I wanted to follow, having that quick drabble might help enrich the entire story, so maybe.
Anyway, thank you all for reading. I can't believe this 40-page document started with a Taylor Swift song and my unhealthy obsession with Hiyori x Shinji.