Disclaimers, Etc.: See Chapter One.
Opening Theme: Jué Ài (訣愛) by Faye
Ending Theme: 最後一次 (One Last Time) by OSN
Chapter Four Written On or Before 8/28/2022.
Bleach: Cross
Key of Gods:
Bend or Break
By Eugena
Rated M
Chapter Four: Face Your Own Truth
天国的白雪公主
Yumichika pushed himself forward, his skin ripping. A hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"You should get more sleep, Yumi," Shirahime said. "Rest now and get up later."
He turned to look at her. He felt himself a dying man in the desert finally presented with water.
"Hime-sama."
She reached out and caressed his cheek. "Still at that, are we? I thought you sounded better saying my name."
"If I called you anything else, you might go away."
She shook her head then kissed him.
He rolled over, finding himself in bed rather than the battlefield.
"It's just you and me right now," she teased. "Kenny's out with Yachiru." She smiled. "We have time to ourselves."
He kissed her and pinned her down.
"Tell me this isn't a dream," he begged.
Shirahime looked at him sadly. "You and Kenny, you both are very smart, you know that? Even though people assume the Eleventh Division is for fighting and about zero intelligence."
"Stay," he begged.
"Time ends," she explained. "Even for some gods. If I don't go now, you all die."
"If you go, I'll die. I can't live without you."
She kissed him again.
"I'm sorry we could never do some of the things normal couples do, have a life like so many others," she said.
"Who needs that as long as I have you?" he asked.
"I can't be selfish enough to stay."
"Then I will be selfish for you. We can leave, Shirahime. The four of us. Even taicho will leave for you. We can leave and not come back. Invite Hitsugaya if you want, since he'll do nothing but mope around without you. But let's go."
"What a nice dream," she said. "Please take care. I love you, Yumi."
She kissed him again and faded away.
天国的白雪公主
Speaking of Hitsugaya, Shirahime found him bleeding and unconscious. She couldn't waste too much energy, but he needed just a little to stay alive. She touched his forehead and allowed a bit of her energy to enter him. The deep cuts became smaller. The bleeding slowed. Unohana could take care of the rest.
Closing her eyes, her form rippled into Momo Hinamori.
Shiro opened his eyes.
"Momo, you're back? You're awake?" He put his hands on her arms, feeling that she was real, that he was not dreaming.
"Of course, I'm back."
"You can't be here," he insisted. "Aizen is here. It's too dangerous."
The woman turned sad.
"I know you care for him, but Momo, but you can't save him. Please, let me protect you from him."
She smiled. "I can count on you. You love me, don't you?"
"Love you?" he repeated. "No, Momo, I can't. I care for you. I love you like family, but I can't love you. Not like that."
"I'm not good enough?"
"It's not that at all. I'm sure one day you'll find someone you love very much. Just like I have."
"Who?" she asked. "Who can you love more than me?"
"You don't know her," he said. "I met her while you've been recovering."
"So, she's a stand in for me?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Momo. No one is a stand in for another."
"Then why choose her over me?"
"Because she's the only one I go to bed dreaming about and wake up wanting to see. She's the only one I realize I can't live without."
"And she loves you?" she prompted.
"I don't think she knows," he admitted.
"So, you're ashamed then?"
"No," he insisted.
His eyes caught the flicker of glowing hair.
"You're not Momo, are you? Who are - Shirahime?" he recognized her at last.
The illusion faded from view, leaving Shirahime glowing brightly in front of him.
"What's wrong?" he asked. "What's happening to you?"
Shiro turned around and found himself in his room. Shirahime was here, eating dinner with him.
"Shirahime," he said.
"Is something bothering you, Shiro Taicho?"
"I'm just happy you're here," he admitted.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked.
"I guess I just had a bad dream last night."
"Want to talk about it?"
He shook his head. "It's not worth another thought. You're still here. That's all that matters."
He wrapped his arms around her.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked again.
"I am now." He looked up at her. "Will you come watch the stars with me?"
She smiled. "That would be nice. But are you going to keep looking like that?"
"Like what?"
"Come on, Shiro. You know what I mean."
"I don't -," he denied it.
She turned away.
"You mean to tell me that if you never saw me again, you'd never regret always hiding yourself?"
"What do you mean, never saw you again?"
"I would think that's self-explanatory, Hitsugaya."
"Don't call me that."
"Call you what?"
"Hitsugaya."
"That's your name, isn't it? Shouldn't I call you that like like everyone else?"
"No, no, not you. Say my name again."
"Hitsugaya."
"No, that's not what I meant."
"What's wrong, Hitsugaya? Can't face your own truth?"
"What game are you playing? Who are you?"
Shirahime glowed. The locks broke before him.
"I am Shirayukihime no Tenjou. And this was your last chance to be truthful with her."
"Her? Don't you mean you? Shirahime, stop this! Whatever it is, I will fix it."
"You are not a god, Toshiro Hitsugaya. You can't fix this. We can."
A bright light flashed, and she was gone.
谢谢你们的阅读。
