Chapter 13: Final Showdown
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach I don't own Bleach I don't own Bleach I don't own Bleach…dang! Exactly how many times do I have to say it! I don't own Bleach!
A/N: Whew! Finally-the last chapter! This will be especially long, and I hope you enjoy it. Oh yes…there's still one more thing I have to say.
Sireylithey was wondering how Hinamori had managed to learn Sonatina in C Major in such a short time. Well, with enough practice, and with Hitsugaya pushing her on, she should be able to do it, even if she may not have learnt all the tricks to piano yet. This is plausible-I've done it before. Also, there are strong warnings of fluff. In any case, I'll stop ranting. Have a good read!
After the talent show incident Hitsugaya kept an eye on Daisuke. He couldn't risk having anyone else hit by Despak, not after Hinamori. Toushirou frowned. What was that mongrel planning to do with Hinamori? He had to keep his student out of this. Although questions and work was thrown at him all day, Hitsugaya kept his close observation on Daisuke until school ended, then went home and prepared for his prom. In the meanwhile…
"Nani! You still haven't got your prom dress?" Rukia exclaimed.
"I was so busy with the talent show and all," the girl protested. "I'm going to do my shopping today; the teachers didn't give us any homework."
"Oh, we can join you," Isane laughed. "You need to have someone keep your fashion sense in check!" Hinamori joined in the laughter.
"Alright," she said. "Let's go to the mall then. We have some serious shopping to do."
At the mall
"Wow, all these dressed look so good!" Inoue exclaimed, tugging at Hinamori's sleeve. "You should get that, or that, or that…"
"Yes, Inoue-chan, we know," Rukia said. "Let's go into that shop and take a look."
"Okay."
Hinamori entered the shop and looked around. These weren't dresses, these were shirts! Shirts that were strangely big, flowery and old. Also, the women inside the shop gave her odd looks. Realization hit Hinamori.
"Rukia, you baka! I said prom dresses, not maternity shirts!" the girl howled, and at the same time she heard raucous laughter outside. Exiting the shop, Hinamori looked at all her friends solemnly until the last of the giggles had subsided.
"Seriously, guys," Hinamori said. "Although we don't have homework, I want to get this over and done with. After that we can fool around, okay?"
"Yes, mommy," Tatsuki teased.
"Good girl," Hinamori broke out into a smile. "Let's go."
The group proceeded to enter shop after shop, Hinamori trying on dresses and getting her friends' opinions. Once or twice Isane and Tatsuki wandered elsewhere, but they were always nearby.
Two hours passed. Rukia had bought a blue bracelet, Inoue a pair of sea green crystal hairclips (which were rather expensive), Tatsuke new karate gi and Isane a Celtic CD, but Hinamori had nothing. The right prom dress for her was still out of reach. Something that would please Hitsugaya…Hinamori shook her head. She wasn't supposed to love Hitsugaya! He probably didn't love her back, anyway…
"Maybe we should turn back and get that bright orange dress with stiletto heels, that outfit matched really well," Inoue suggested.
Isane snorted. "As if, I think Hinamori plus bright orange dress equals to disaster, and those stiletto heels would kill her!"
At that moment Hinamori saw something that interested her. "I wonder," she muttered and entered the shop.
That evening
Hitsugaya was preparing for the prom when the doorbell rang. Straightening his tie, the teenager answered the door and just barely managed to stifle a gasp.
Hinamori was standing outside in a light pink dress with a small, white jacket draped over her shoulders. Around her neck she wore a dark blue crystal flower necklace accentuating her pale skin. On her feet she wore white sandals. Her outfit made Hitsugaya feel plain in his suit.
"Do you think I look set for the prom?" Hinamori whispered.
"You look great," a voice said, and the two whipped around to find Daisuke leaning casually against a lamp post, grinning. Toushirou clenched his fists-how had Daisuke turned up without knowing? He could usually sense his reiatsu…
"And if it isn't Hitsugaya Toushirou. Nice evening isn't it?" the newcomer then turned to Hinamori. "Let's go, or we might be late for the prom."
The girl nodded and followed her date, giving one last despairing look at Hitsugaya before heading to the school with Daisuke, arm in arm.
Hitsugaya thought for a moment before taking out a phone and leaving a message to a certain buxom woman. This done, he went back into his house to prepare.
At the prom
"Hinamori-chan, you look so pretty in that dress! You really chose well!" Rukia praised as the two passed by each other.
"Thanks! You look great in that turquoise dress of yours-and the bracelet!" Hinamori laughed. "Last minute shopping, last minute shopping…"
At that moment the room fell silent and all eyes were fixed on the entrance. Hitsugaya Toushirou came in, followed by an orange-haired woman wearing a lilac dress bulging around the chest area. Hinamori stared. Matsumoto-san?
"Hitsugaya-sensei, why did you tell me to come with you to the prom? You should have told me earlier, then I could buy another dress that's not so tight around the chest area!" the woman complained quietly to her teacher.
"I sense trouble here, so stop whining and act like a prom date," Hitsugaya hissed back, and Keigo took the opportunity to run up to the couple.
"So you like older women, eh Toushirou?" Keigo grinned and Hitsugaya felt his vein pulsing. He'd had a lot of those cases since he'd joined this school.
"Naw, Shirou-chan likes me for my chest," Matsumoto grinned and the boys 'oh'ed in understanding. Hinamori's eyes widened. 'Shirou-chan' was her trademark, curse it!
A slow song began to play, and Daisuke gripped Hinamori's wrist, causing her to flinch. "C'mon, let's dance," he said, and Hinamori nodded fearfully, letting him lead her onto the dance floor. Hitsugaya watched the couple, growling softly. Noticing the direction in which her prom date was looking, Matsumoto decided to take action.
"Ooh, koibito, a slow dance! Let's go!" Matsumoto literally dragged Hitsugaya onto the dance floor, squealing. "Let's dance, honey!"
"I said a prom date, not a ditzy prom date!" Hitsugaya hissed, extremely embarrassed.
"I really love it when your true sixteen year old half shines through. You're so uptight most of the time-let it go!" Matsumoto laughed, enjoying herself. "So kawaii, so innocent…" she leaned down and pinched his cheek. A few people snickered.
"I rest my case," Hitsugaya sighed, pushing his student's hand away. The two proceeded to dance along, Hitsugaya glancing at Hinamori every now and then to make sure that she was ok.
After two songs the music stopped, and the crowd began to mutter excitedly. Aizen-sensei entered the room, smiling. In his hands was a box carved from wood. The teacher walked to the platform in the room and stood on it, gazing at everyone. Hitsugaya gritted his teeth.
"Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for coming to this prom. The exams are now over, and summer vacation is near," Aizen-sensei began.
"Also, in this box I have two crowns-one for the prom king and another for the prom queen. We will judge from the next dance who will take these crowns home tonight. Begin dancing!" the students cheered loudly as the music began to play.
Hinamori danced with Daisuke, looking from time to time at Hitsugaya and Matsumoto. Why, she would've been in Matsumoto's place if Daisuke hadn't done all those things to her! She wondered if Hitsugaya really believed that she didn't love him…but she had vowed never to love him again.
"Your eyes seem to be straying," Daisuke broke into Hinamori's thoughts. "Do you love Hitsugaya Toushirou? Remember why you agreed to go with me to the prom," Hinamori looked at her date's now clawed hand as the music stopped. Hinamori tried to pull away, but Daisuke held her close.
"You monster," Hinamori whispered furiously as Aizen-sensei began to talk again.
"We have decided the prom results," the teacher announced. "This year's prom king and queen are…Hinamori Momo and Daisuke Katashi!"
"Oh no," Hitsugaya breathed as the two went on the platform. People applauded and cheered. "That man had better not hurt Hinamori, or I'll kill him!"
"Sensei, is that man the one you're after?" Matsumoto asked. Receiving no reply, the woman knew she was going to be doing some serious fighting. Matsumoto readied herself.
Aizen-sensei placed the crowns on the couple's heads and stood back, smiling. "And, as you all know, it is tradition for the prom king and queen to kiss." Shouts of 'Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!' rose amongst the crowd, and Hitsugaya watched in horror as Hinamori was forced into a kissing position by Daisuke. Hinamori's and Daisuke's lips came closer and closer, and then…
BOOM!
People fled the room, screaming as smoke engulfed everyone. By the time the room had cleared, Hitsugaya was holding Hinamori. His eyes blazed with fury.
"What are you trying to do with Hinamori, you idiot?" the boy snapped, and Matsumoto lifted her shield.
"Hitsugaya Toushirou," Aizen-sensei said, smiling evilly. "What a pleasant surprise."
"Stop pretending you're innocent, Aizen," Hitsugaya spat. "You ran me over on the day of my contest!" Behind him Hinamori gasped. Aizen scowled, and then turned calm again.
"Yes well, I can't sit around and watch my business get snatched away by some low class piano shrimp," the history teacher replied casually. "And I was doing this no good brat a favour." Aizen jerked his head at Daisuke who was lying, unconscious, on the floor.
"You…" putting Hinamori down on the floor, Hitsugaya then stood and held up his right hand. An ice-blue glow surrounded him.
"Set upon the Frosted Heavens, Hyourinmaru!" the boy yelled, and almost immediately a long sword with a blue hilt appeared in his right hand. Water and ice spurted out from the blade and formed to become an ice-blue dragon with glowing red eyes.
"Putting out your ace already?" Aizen smirked. "Get up, Daisuke; your master is calling you."
To Hitsugaya's surprise the boy stood up, swaying. Daisuke's eyes were lifeless.
"Use your weapon," Aizen ordered, and the boy's hand grew long, red fingernails. Daisuke's eyes glowed yellow.
"Despak," he whispered, and the all too familiar wave came at Hitsugaya, roaring wildly. The pianist lashed out Hyourinmaru and the two clashed in a furious battle, ice-blue against sea-green. When the uproar had died down, all that was left was a frozen wave.
"My turn, sensei," Matsumoto said as she raced towards Aizen using Shunpo. She disappeared and reappeared at the evil man's side, launching a kick, but Aizen was ready for her. He blocked and threw in a punch of his own. The orange haired woman managed to block, but as a result was knocked back.
"Matsumoto, leave it to me!" Hitsugaya yelled, lashing Hyourinmaru at Aizen, then stopped half-way in shock.
Daisuke's wave was going towards Hinamori!
"A-Aizen-sensei…" the girl trembled. Tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Hinamori, get away from there, it's dangerous!" Toushirou called desperately.
At that moment Daisuke's wave washed over the girl, smoke rising.
Hitsugaya could only watch in horror as the smoke clouded his vision. He did not linger too long, however, for the girl suddenly came out of the smoke and rushed at him with a sword in her hands. Hitsugaya dodged, mentally questioning his student-until she raised her head.
Aizen laughed as Hitsugaya's eyes widened. "The effects of Despak. I control Daisuke, and through him Hinamori. Dare you harm your own student?"
"You bas…fatherless child!" Matsumoto yelled, keeping her swearing in check. "Give Daisuke-kun and Hinamori-chan back! They're your students, too!"
"But I don't harm them," Aizen said. "I merely ask them to do things for me."
"More like force them," Hitsugaya retorted. "Give Hinamori and Daisuke back! Do your own fighting, you coward!" the boy dove at the teacher, but was blocked by Hinamori. Hitsugaya dodged, continued, and was blocked by Daisuke.
"Get away, dang it!" knocking the boy aside, Hitsugaya aimed at Aizen, Hyourinamaru roaring.
"Go to hell!" the pianist yelled, and lashed out his dragon. Aizen and Hyourinmaru met, causing a huge splash. When the dragon pulled out, Aizen was untouched. Hinamori and Daisuke, however, had been caught protecting the former history teacher and were frozen. Hitsugaya turned colder than ever. His eyes glowed ice-blue. Reiatsu burst out all around the boy, making his hair and clothes blow back and forth.
"How…dare…you…" he whispered, as Matsumoto quickly picked the two frozen bodies up and made her escape. "But now that my friends are gone, we can fight…for real."
"Indeed," Aizen smiled. He drew a gun out of the air and aimed it at Hitsugaya. "Bring it on."
Hitsugaya ran at his enemy, drawing his dragon back, preparing for a fierce attack. The teacher began to shoot, bullets hitting the walls and floor. The pianist launched Hyourinmaru, but suddenly had his sword knocked out of his hand.
"How…?" he whispered.
"Shunpo," Aizen was beside him. Hitsugaya took a kick and fell to the floor beside his sword. His enemy landed on the floor gracefully and held up his gun. "Time for you to go," the teacher grinned.
"A3741D!" Hitsugaya yelled, and Aizen paused, confused. The pianist took the opportunity to plunge his sword through the evil man's heart.
"That's your car's license plate, isn't it?" Hitsugaya asked in a deadly tone.
Aizen's look of shock and anger drew back into a calm smile. "Yes," he said, and fell to the ground as the boy felt a pain in his right arm.
Looking down, Hitsugaya found a bullet wound in his arm. "It's over," he whispered before falling to the ground beside Aizen's dead body.
I'm glad that Hinamori's safe, the pianist thought before darkness engulfed him.
2:40am
Hinamori came to, head throbbing. Opening her eyes, she looked up to see Daisuke bending over her, eyes filled with worry. Hinamori sat up, looking around.
"Where…are we?" she murmured.
"Rangiku-san insisted we go to Hitsugaya-kun's house. She's gone to meet the police now, I'm here to take care of you, and I got rid of Despak, the wave-shaped scar I used to control you with. It's the least I can do after…" the boy lowered his eyes. "Gomen nasai."
"It's okay," Hinamori smiled, pulling her classmate into a friendly hug. "Thanks for everything, and you know what? Forget about me, there are lots of better girls out there…I'm sorry I treated you like that, Daisuke."
"Never mind," Daisuke looked away, searching for a new topic. "Tomorrow a doctor's coming to check your injuries-"
"Daisuke, you go home, it's really late," Hinamori interrupted. "You've been through more than I have in the past few days, you must be exhausted. I can take care of Hitsugaya."
"But you're-"
"Go," cowed by Hinamori's sudden hostility, Daisuke exited the house. Hearing the door close, the girl entered the next room where Hitsugaya was lying. Taking a seat, Hinamori sat beside her teacher and let her thoughts wander.
She had vowed never to love Hitsugaya. But could she go through life without him? She had run away from him, turned him down, attacked him…loved him. And she still did.
Hinamori gazed tenderly at Hitsugaya's sleeping body, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
"Baka," she said bitterly. "Why did you fight for me, even after all I put you through?" Hinamori stroked Hitsugaya's hair, her fingers moving down to caress the pianist's face.
Hitsugaya stirred.
"Where am I?" the pianist's sleepy voice startled and relieved Hinamori.
"Shirou-chan, I'm so glad you're alive!" Hinamori cried, about to hug him, but the boy pushed her away.
"Why did you run away from me?" Hitsugaya asked, his questioning blue-green eyes searching Hinamori's brown ones. He had forgotten his previous question.
"I-I…" Hinamori began to cry, tears flowing down her cheeks. "You shouldn't have gone after me. You could have died," she whispered.
"Aizen would have taken over the city," Hitsugaya said sternly.
"Everyone's okay, the police are investigating the place now-" Hinamori began, but Hitsugaya hushed her.
"Don't change the subject, Hinamori," Hitsugaya said. "I want answers."
Hinamori shuddered before speaking. "I would have gone to the prom with you, but Daisuke hurt me with Despak first. I was forced to go with him, but I didn't tell you because I knew you'd laugh. Instead I told you I didn't love you," the pianist said nothing, and Hinamori went on. "I vowed never to love you because-I was afraid you'd get hurt. But in the end, you fought Aizen and got hurt anyway. And on top of that, I still loved you, but wanted to deny it. How could you-for me-?" the tears were streaming now, and Hitsugaya's heart wrenched. Sitting up with sudden strength, the pianist pulled Hinamori into a hug, ignoring the searing pain in his arm.
"I almost lost you," he whispered fiercely. "I need you by my side. Don't ever run away from me again, you understand?" he pushed Hinamori back and she nodded. "I promise."
And then it happened.
Soft lips pressed against Hitsugaya's. At first, the pianist was unsure of how to react, but then he closed his eyes and pulled Hinamori closer. Hitsugaya poured all his emotions into the kiss-desperation, frustration, passion, love. His left hand slowly roamed up to Hinamori's hair and undid her bun, smoothing the tangles in her black tresses as they came flowing down. He tapped Hinamori's lips with his tongue and she admitted him. Hinamori tasted like honey. Their tongues mingled with each other for a while before Hitsugaya pulled away for air. Hinamori clung to him like a doll. Still holding the girl, the pianist pulled her down with him onto the bed, sleep overwhelming them. Before Hinamori fell asleep, she heard Hitsugaya speak.
"Maybe we will be going to Osaka after all. And thanks to that book I was reading in our last detention, I know just where to go."
Hinamori smiled and snuggled closer to Hitsugaya. She was finally in a world where there were no Aizens, no Daisukes. Just one Hitsugaya. Her Hitsugaya.
End
A/N: Well, that's the last chapter of this story. Criticisms are welcome, although I won't actually change anything in the story. Please review!
Japanese Dictionary:
Despak: In case you're still confused…Despak isn't really a Japanese word or term, but in this story it's a technique high-level martial artists can use. It involves inflicting the victim with a wound of any shape (in Daisuke's case, a wave), which is then used to control the victim. Despak can only be erased if the user wants it gone.
Nani: What
-chan, -san, -kun: -chan is used for girls or kids around the same age as the speaker. –kun is the same, but for boys (and kids). –san is a polite form used for both genders of all ages.
Baka: Idiot
Gi: Martial arts training outfit
Reiatsu: Spiritual energy
Koibito: Lover
Kawaii: Cute
Sensei: Teacher (e.g. 'Aizen-sensei' literally 'Teacher Aizen')
Shunpo: In this story, it means 'flash attack', but in Bleach, the term means 'flash steps'.