AN: Hey everyone! :D

Well, this is the last chapter, so sad…*cries* Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed this story (j cloud xD, Richasa, applestoapples, CressidaRene, Ginasaurus, rockbabyval, serenity095, zx14ninja, SnowKoyuki13, Randomhitsuhina, Ebbie54, Mei-tan, elainehac123, hitsuhinaFan, icyangel27, randomness and MoonLightView), I love you all! :3 *Hugs*

Just a quick notice, I have a poll on my profile that I would appreciate votes in. Though the question seems odd, it will determine a lot about my next HitsuHina fanfiction. So if you can vote, please do. However, it you're not a member of fanfiction but you'd like to vote, just leave your answer in your review once you've seen the poll question and answers.

Enjoy the last chapter! Oh and just a caution, this chapter has FLUFF...A. LOT. OF. IT. And also...MAJOR OCC (out of character) COMING UP!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND: Listening to either 'Tiny Heart' by Flyleaf or 'The Great Work Begins' by Thomas Newman.

Disclaimer: own this glass of pepsi, this wallet, this alarm clock, this chair that spins, that desk of there, that 'Alice in Wonderland' poster over there, these yellow walls (YELLOW, YAYZ! 8D) and that door with the grim reaper poster on it, Tite Kubo owns BLEACH.

Frozen Heart, Frozen Nightmares

Chapter Ten: Melting the Heart, Melting the Nightmares

Time slowed.

His body came closer and closer to making contact with the ground.

His hand…

"Please, Hitsgaya-kun! Please live!"she pleaded and sobbed. Her hand, which was resting over his chest where his heart should be beating, quivered. She felt nothing but his cold skin under her hand. Where was his heart? Why wasn't it beating?

Her disbelief started pulled away...

Only to be replaced with utter sorrow.

More tears escaped her eyes and fell onto his unmoving form. Her knees became weak and collapsed under her. Her only support was the hospital bed the dead tenth division captain lay on. Her hand was slowly dragged away from his chest, coming to his hand instead. Her agonized eyes couldn't tear themselves away from Hitsugaya.

From outside, Rangiku feared the worst. She had been so sure it would work. She was so sure that if she had gotten Hinamori to rush in and confess that he would want to keep living. However, it seemed like...it was too late.

And here she was, fighting off every fourth division member who was trying to get into the room. She even argued against Unohana when she returned, just so that this last minute resort could work. However, all the arguments had stopped when they heard the girl's pleading and confessions.

Now...they were all standing there, watching the suffering girl pleading for the person she loved to come back.

Unohana put a comforting hand on Rangiku's shoulder and quietly said. "...I'm sorry."

Rangiku felt weak in all her joints. She leaned against the wall for support, her hands covering her face. She repeatedly murmured "This can't be, no, this can't be!"

Moments passed. His heart...was still...

...dead...

...unmoving...

...fliting...

...one beat...

...and then another...

Unohana straightened.

Rangiku pulled her hands away, looking wide eyed at her taicho.

Some wisps of reiatsu flew from the boy to those outside. Members of the fourth divison looked at each other in disbelief. Some were whispering questions to each other, in utter disbelief.

Unohana and Rangiku looked at each unbelieving.

However, Hinamori was too distraught to notice that Hitsugaya was...

His eyes slowly opened. Strangely his vision wasn't blurry, it was clear. He felt the cold air reach his skin. His hearing was muffled. He heard something, something that got clearer and clearer by the second. He turned his head towards the source.

His eyes would have gone wide if he had the strength; however they remained only half opened. He felt strange emotions course through him, all of the warm. He smiled, and weakly and quietly said...

"Hina...mori..."

The distraught girl didn't hear him over her sobs. Hinamori made one last plea, still not realising that Hitsugaya was alive. It was a plea with so much emotion, that her heart throbbed. She cried out her last plea "Please don't leave me, Shiro-chan, please! I need you! I…I love you…"

Something collided with her body, causing her to nearly fall over. However, she managed to retain her balance. It took her moments to register the situation, and what was clinging to her so tightly...

Tears still flowed from her now widened eyes.

She was too shocked to wipe them away.

Her heart raced.

She felt light headed because of the amount of pure relief, shock and happiness that was rushing through her.

"...S-Shiro-chan?" she said weakly but in shock.

He hadn't realised what he'd done until she had said his nickname. Her plea made him sit up, throw himself half out of the bed and bring her into a tight embrace. His face was buried in her shoulder, unmoving, his arms firmly around her waist, and one hand clinging desperate to her shoulder, while the other clung to her back.

Her arms were restricted so she couldn't hug him back. Her whole body went from being numb to warm. She sobbed in pure joy. "Hitsugaya-kun!"

She felt him pull his face away from her shoulder. "Why...is it...?"

She completely froze hearing his voice. She hadn't heard since she was in her unconscious state. However, unlike his voice at that time, this one was quiet, trying to contain his emotions. He pulled away fully, his eyes meeting hers. They stayed like for a moment, unmoving, unfazed...

"...that I'm...so happy..." he continued now leaning in toward Hinamori.

She didn't lean away, she didn't want to. She felt his lips lightly kiss her tears and cheeks. He finished his statement in a whisper. "...to see you crying...for me?"

She couldn't help but smile and cry even harder. She tried to speak but only sobs and hiccups came. She managed to regain her composer after a few moments and managed to speak. "Silly...Shiro-chan..." –She looked him in the eye –"you already know why...it's because I...I really lo-"

"TAICHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Both of them jumped at the sudden exclamation. The next thing Hitsugaya knew everything went black and he was suffocating. He was losing air, and fast!

"Oh my gosh, Taicho!" Rangiku cried, her happiness beyond limits with dramatic tears escaping her eyes in rivers "I'm so happy your awake, Hitsugaya-taicho! You really don't know how happy I am!" She hugged him tighter, making the boy scramble around to try and push himself away from her chest. Hinamori was trying to warn Rangiku but she was too caught up in the moment.

"Rangiku-san, please, I think Hitsugaya-kun is going to suffocate!" Hinamori said worriedly.

Rangiku looked at her...and ended up pulling her into the hug too. "Thank you sooooo much, Hina-chan! You're the best, you really are. If it wasn't for you, who would have brought back my bossy, cranky taicho? Not only that, if you had died as well, who would I be able to tease about having feelings for taicho? Who?"

At that Hitsugaya stopped struggling, too shocked to even remember he was being suffocated.

Hinamori was blushing bright red.

Rangiku let go of both of them. They gasped for air turned to each other. Rangiku wiped her tears away and smiled. "You get the picture now, taicho? And you to, Hinamori? It's been obvious to everyone around the Seritei for a long time. So, why haven't you two realised how you feel? Why haven't you confessed?"

"M-Matsumoto!" Hitsugaya exclaimed embarrassed.

Feeling the temperature drop slightly, Rangiku quickly stood, rigid and nervous. "Ehahahaha, looks like I've said too much! Um, eh...Gotta run!" And with that she was gone.

The captain sighed and anxiously turned back towards Hinamori. She had been looking at him this whole time, her cheeks still blushing. They just stared at each other for a long moment, a very long, awkward moment...

"Um, Shiro-chan...Do you really...?" she trailed off, unable to finished.

Hitsugaya looked away in embarrassment. She knew now, and now he knew of her feelings, but it wasn't through a confession...or was it? He remember her pleas, saying she would give up on him if he chose someone else, how desperate she was for him to come back. She had confessed to him. She really had, and he only just noticed. He stood up from the bed, gathering the courage to step right in front of her and lean down close to her face. "...For a really long time now."

Hinamori was surprised, but only smiled sweetly. "S-Same here...I've always...loved you, Shiro-chan."

Their eyes didn't move from each other.

"Hinamori..." Hitsugaya said breathlessly.

She giggled hearing her name. She didn't know why but it made her so happy. She smiled sadly and said "Let's...work through this together, okay?"

He knew what she meant. This pain he had gone through for the past week would not be easily forgotten. However, he knew that with her by his side, the pain would subside, and he would learn to move on and live with her. Always, forever, together...But before that could happen, he had to say something. Something that had been bottled up inside his throat, for a long time.

"Hinamori, I...When I was near dying, I heard you. I heard your every word" –At this point he noticed how much her eyes widened –"I heard...your confession. It's the reason...I came back. You're the reason...I came back. There is...no other person I'd want to be with. No other gentle, kind, caring, compassionate girl I want o be with. There really isn't...so don't say those things...about giving up on me. You were never a burden; you are not pathetic, or worthless. You're...so important to me it frightens me. It frightens me so much that...I had nightmares of a world where you were gone...because of me.

And with that the white haired captain leaned in fully and kissed her. She was kissing back, which made his heart soar. Some many things were running through their minds, their heart thumped against their chests. Their hands entwined as they pulled away.

Always, forever, together...

A FEW WEEKS LATER...

"Matumoto. Paperwork. NOW!" Hitsugaya exclaimed at his lieutenant.

She merely blinked and brought the sake bottle to her lips, drinking for and more as she stared at her captain. She could see this was really making him really pissed off. Why was it so urgent she had to paperwork today?

"Why is it so urgent, taicho?" she said with suspicion.

He rolled his eyes and cringed. "Because you're supposed to do it, stupid!"

However, Rangiku knew already why it was so urgent. The sun was setting, and now doubt a certain lieutenant in the Seritei was waiting for her captain to come. Throwing the sake bottle aside, Rangiku sat herself down began to do the paperwork. "Fine, but say 'hi' to Hina-chan for me!"

Hitsugaya was about to leave, but paused.

"Matsumoto..."

She looked up from her first sheet.

He continued quietly "Than you for...saving me and Hinamori, that day in the rain, and...I'm sorry...about the way I treated you...last month. You were going through a tough time as well...and I apologise for yelling at you."Rangiku was surprised. He'd already done a formal apology to her, and he was doing another one. She smiled. Her captain was really strange, but that's the way she liked him. "No need to. We were both going through a rough time. I've put it behind me, so should you. And...I'm sure with Hinamori's help...you'll keep getting stronger."

Hitsugaya secretly smiled at this. He felt more comfortable to express his feelings now. Still, he kept the frown on whenever it wasn't Hinamori or Rangiku. "Yeah...I guess you're right...Thank you, Matsumoto."

He slide the door behind him.

She closed her eyes but still smiled. "You're welcome, taicho."

She completely finished the little amount of paperwork within half an hour. The sun was still setting, and she knew where she wanted to be. She flashed-stepped out of the tenth division barracks, to the Rukongai. Once she had reached her destination, Rangiku entered the small shack. The smell familiar smell filled her nose and made her smile wider. She crawled in and shut the door as far as she could behind her. A small beam of light highlight a wall.

"It been quite a while since I've come to visit you" she said.

She pulled herself closer to the wall. She sighed. "Well, actually, it's only been a week. Still...things have started to turn good. Taicho is getting better, his nightmares have stopped now that Hinamori is there for him. As for me...I don't know...I really don't know, Gin..."

She looked at his name she had carved into the wall of the shack. She'd carved the same night she had come running in her grief after Hitsugaya yelled at her. Rangiku's smiled dropped. Had she really gotten over the past? It still haunted her...

"Gin, I really...wish you were here, but...I think I can move on now." She smiled thoughtfully at his carved name. "It'll be hard, but isn't this what you want me to do? I really miss you. Your fox smile, your mysterious disappearances, and your love of persimmons...I loved it all, and I still do. But now...if you'll help me...I think I can move on, like everyone else has. You may have not ever left me a single memento, but maybe that's for the best, because if you had...I don't think I could move from that spot. I'd be stuck there, forever.

"Thank you for leaving me with the memories, Gin. Help me...to take the next step forward, and not backward. I'll...come visit you again soon...I love you, Gin."

And, for briefest moment, she felt something warm come over her shoulders, like a blanket. The image of that night when he promised to tell her everything flashed before her eyes. And again, for the briefest second, she saw something, through the small opening of the door. He was there, dressed in his captain's uniform, and smiling back at her, a genuine smile. He slowly turned away from her, walking away from the shack. She smiled back, a single tear escaping her eye.

"'...I promise you everything, Ran-chan.'"

' "I'm glad to see that you're doing better, master"'

Hitsugaya stopped, hearing his zanpukto speak. They hadn't talked for a long time. He sighed and mentally said to his ice dragon ' "I'm sorry I gave up on you, Hyourinmaru. I should have…remained stronger through that time.'"

' "It is not your fault.I understand now. Hinamori is a special girl, you and I have known that for a long time now. I forgive you."'

Hitsugaya nodded. "Thank you…"

With that he continued on his way to the fifth division. Once he had reached the barracks, he flash-stepped up to the roof of the building. He saw the girl jump as he made his entrance, almost falling off the roof.

Once she quickly regained her balance, the girl playfully glared at the captain.

"Shiro-chan, you're late!" Hinamori said with a pout.

Hitsugaya smiled but rolled his eyes. "I had to get Matsumoto to do the paperwork. It's a hard task, believe me."

"I really shouldn't be giving you this for being late!" She pulled out from behind her back a large, already cut up watermelon.

The tenth division captain stared in awe. Without thinking, he snatched a piece and sat down, eating it hungrily.

The frowning lieutenant sat down, putting the watermelon between them and complained. "Hey, what did I just-"But before she could continue, an army of watermelon seeds attacked her She tried to defend herself but they kept coming. "Eh, Shiro-chan, please stop!"

"He stopped. "It's Hitsugaya-taicho." Muttered and bite into the watermelon Hinamori took a piece began to eat it. They stayed like that in a comfortable silence, the sun setting as they did. The sky was lit up many shades of gold orange and red.

Hinamori felt herself melting under those colours. She turned to Hitsugaya, who was hungrily munching on his, what seemed to be, tenth piece of watermelon. She grinned. It had been a long time since she had seen him this happy. He was looking much better now. His skin was no longer pale, the bags under his eyes had disappeared, and his eyes, even though they remained cold to other, were full of life again.

It had been a long time...since she was this happy. And it was all...thanks to him.

She scooted closer, careful not to knock over the water melon. She slowly and gently leaned her head on his should and closed her eyes. The captain stopped eating his, surprised b her action. "Hina...mori?" He hadn't swallowed his watermelon so it sounded stand and funny.

She laughed, hearing him. "Swallow before you talk!"

He chuckled after he swallowed down the watermelon. He looked down at Hinamori, his smile breaking across his lips. She was looking a lot better. The bags under her eyes were gone, and she had no need to go to the fourth division anymore. She was happier. Much happier then she had ever been.

He turned his head leaned it on top of hers. "Do you think...we can keep going on?"

Hinamori's eyes opened a fraction at the question. What a strange question to ask, but after a moment of thinking she knew what he was saying. "As long as you're by my side, every step of the way, I think I can keep going...What about you?"

A cool wind passed through, tussling their hair in the direction opposite to the setting sun. His hand found hers. He spoke in a whisper. "The nightmares are gone...I think I can keep going too..."

"Even though, it was a hard process," the girl said, closing her eyes "We've come this far. I'm...so happy to be with you...Hitsugaya-kun."

He held her hand tighter and grinned, his eyes slowly closing. "I'm so happy...to be with you...Momo."

It was true. While it had taken them a long time to move on from the past, they had done it. They had moved on, together. Hand in hand. Their love remained strong, and always will. Their worries and troubles faded away into the cool wind and were melted by the colours of the sunset.

The nightmares that were once frozen in Hitsugaya's mind were now...

melted away...

Replaced by the dreams of the future with...

...the girl he loved.

Always, forever, together...

The End

I'm not completely satisfied with the ending, maybe that because I wanted to keep continuing this story T_T Oh well... I hope you guys enjoyed it though! Sorry for all my spelling and grammar along the way ^^; Again, a reminder about the poll on my profile, votes would be awesome! :D

Reviews and comments are always greatly appreciated ^^

Thank you very much for reading :)

Keep writing!

-Warrayfinson