And we have reached the end of a very long, long road. (Which was, unfortunately, also coupled with a very long, long wait, sorry!)

Way, way back when I first started this (two years ago?), I had anticipated reaching this very chapter and had planned out what kind of things I wanted to say once I'd finished. But really, the only thing I find that I can write at this point is 'thank you'. Really. It has been a blast, guys - thank you, those of you who have been patiently following this story, despite my hopeless inability to update on time. Thanks for leaving thoughtful comments, your helpful criticisms and general encouragement.

This chapter is for you; I hope you all enjoy this. Thank you once again. :D

I won't blab any longer - here's the thirtieth chapter of this series. And may the Hitsuhina love live on!

Surprise, Surprise

30. kiss

"Hinamori?"

The shinigami at the desk looked up, smiling apologetically at the visitor standing in the doorway. "I'm sorry, Hinamori-taichou isn't in at the moment. You just missed her actually."

"What, again??" Heaving a sigh, Matsumoto draped herself across the wooden door frame dramatically. "You'd almost think she's doing it on purpose. Just when I wanted to invite her out for a drink too."

"Hinamori-taichou's just been really busy, Matsumoto," the shinigami offered, pushing his glasses up his nose. "What with her new promotion and all, she's almost literally been up to her ears in paperwork lately."

"But that's what the vice-captain is for, right? She should be out celebrating, not being stuck doing," Matsumoto made a face, "boring paperwork. Blech."

"If you say so, Matsumoto." Hiding a grin, the shinigami began sorting through the various papers on the desk. "If you say so. Speaking of which, shouldn't you be helping out with the Ten Division's files?"

"I did not almost die for the sake of Soul Society just to deal with more paperwork," Matsumoto huffed, crossing her arms indignantly. "Besides, Hitsugaya-taichou finished most of it already – I can afford to party a little before he gets back on my case to go send out the rest."

"Hitsugaya-taichou sure is efficient."

"When has he not been?" A small smile of affection tugged at Matsumoto's lower lip. "Really, he should go enjoy life a little. Smell the breeze. Goodness knows we could all use a break after, well. All that mess."

"Mmm. Speaking of which, it's probably time I took a break." Shooting Matsumoto a quick grin, the shinigami stood up, stretching. "I don't suppose you'd mind a different drinking partner?"

"Not if you're volunteering. You're Hinamori's new vice-captain, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am actually. Mori Shinichi, at your service."

"Well, Mori, how does a drink to your promotion sound?"

Meeting Matsumoto's eyes, Mori laughed good-naturedly. "Sounds pretty good to me. Shall we go then?"

"After you."

-

"Hitsugaya?"

"I'm sorry – he's not in." Bowing apologetically, the shinigami shifted the stack of papers in his arms. "He just left, actually. Was in a bit of a rush. Is there something you need to see him about?"

"It's alright – I just thought I'd leave these forms with him on the way back to my division. Also, I have a message for him from Yamamoto regarding his report on the Arrancar incident." Byakuya looked around. "Could I leave the message with his vice-captain?"

"Oh! Matsumoto-fukutaichou just stepped out herself." Looking flustered, the shinigami glanced around. "I would take the message, but Hitsugaya-taichou instructed me to deliver these before he went out. Um…"

"It's alright. I'll leave these here then and get Abarai to deliver the notice later." Inclining his head, Byakuya dismissed the shinigami as he walked towards the desk, neatly setting the stack of paper next to the other sheaves.

Leaving the Tenth Division office unmanned was not the best of decisions, he mused. Not under the recent circumstances, with things still unsettled and order yet to be fully restored.

Still, after everything that had happened, everyone could use a little bit of slack. That shinigami would likely return later, if not his captain himself.

And even if he did not…well. Hitsugaya was a responsible captain.

Stepping out of the office, Byakuya smiled slightly as the small breeze picked up, sending leaves dancing, skimming haphazardly across the ground.

It was a beautiful day.

-

Sighing as she climbed the few steps into the Fifth Division office, Hinamori resisted the urge to slump against the door briefly. It had been a long and tiring day, something she was slowly getting used to as the newly-instated captain. Pushing painful memories as to how she had gotten the position out of her mind, she pushed the door screen aside, thinking longingly of her chair and a few snatched moments of rest.

All thoughts of resting was catapulted out of her mind though as she gaped at the sight awaiting her on her desk.

"Shi-Shirou-chan??"

Even under the fading light of the evening, it was impossible to miss the pale pink flush that stained the Tenth Division captain's face, even as he refused to meet her eyes. "Hinamori. I would appreciate it if you would untie me now. Please."

"Oh. Oh! Right!" Almost tripping over in her haste, Hinamori hurried over to the desk, kneeling to pull first at the knots holding Hitsugaya's ankles together. "Why- wh-what happened?"

"Ask Matsumoto and your Vice-Captain," Hitsugaya said darkly. "Once I get my hands on them-"

"Mori??" Hinamori's hands paused in the middle of unpicking the rope as she stared at Hitsugaya, confused.

"Yes, Mori. Unless you have another ranking officer with the authority to leave a notice barring other shinigamis from entering your office?"

A notice? She certainly had not seen any notices when she came in. Though granted, she had not paid much attention to the door.

"But him and Matsumoto- what did – did they ambush you?? But-but how?"

Hitsugaya did not answer, but a muscle visibly twitched as he gritted his teeth, jaw tight with annoyance. He was probably tired, Hinamori realized belatedly, still sore from the war against the Arrancar.

And really, with all the work to be done and sorted out, he probably was not on the alert for, well, an ambush of any kind.

The first knot was almost undone – tugging on it, she smiled as the rope loosened. "One more to go, Shirou-chan. Then I'll unpick the ones on your wrists."

"Thank you." Hitsugaya's voice was low, almost resigned. "I hope Kazuo returned to the office – it would be disgraceful to have the office empty the entire day."

"Mm hmmm." That was the second one – rather sloppy work, Hinamori noted absently, though they had to be pretty effective if they had managed to hold Hitsugaya in here for goodness knows how long.

Still, a tied-up Hitsugaya, on her desk, no less was a nice, if rather startling surprise. Going pink herself, Hinamori fumbled as she pulled the rope free. "Okay, that's your legs. Can you move over to the chair? It'll be easier to reach the knots at the back that way."

"…Alright."

Somehow, Hitsugaya even managed to make jumping off the desk look graceful as he moved over to the couch in the corner, Hinamori trailing him as she eyed the mess encircling Hitsugaya's arms. Settling herself behind him, she started moving the knots, searching for the one tied last.

"…I'm sorry for the trouble."

"Huh?"

She couldn't see Hitsugaya's face, turned away from her, but his voice was low and slightly self-deprecating. "I should have been more alert. Especially as Captain-"

"It's not your fault." Hinamori hesitated, before tentatively leaning in to press her forehead against the nape of Hitsugaya's neck. She felt him stiffen and had to resist the urge to pull back and apologize. Remember, this was still Shirou-chan, the boy she had grown up with. The one she used to hug without any qualms. The one that used to spit watermelon seeds at her.

Granted, back then, she had seen Shirou-chan as nothing more than a brother. And now…a small sigh escaped her.

And now, she wanted Shirou-chan to see her as something more than the girl he had grown up with.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

She smiled at the concern lacing his voice as she straightened up, turning back to unknotting the rope. "It's nothing. I was just thinking. Why did Matsumoto-fukutaichou and Mori tie you up in my office for?"

Had she been paying attention, she would have noticed the tinge of pink creeping up Hitsugaya's neck. "They, uh. seemed drunk and, well, I'm – they seem to have had the…idea that, um, I, well."

"Huh?"

"They somehow got it into their head that I would apparently make a good 'congratulatory promotion present' for you." It was hard to miss the flush warming Hitsugaya's skin now, deepening to a darker hue as Hitsugaya hunched his head over, words having left his mouth in a mumbled rush. "Don't ask me to explain their logic – they seemed a little drunk then, although sober enough to assault me. Hinamori? Hey, are you okay?"

For Hinamori was staring at Hitsugaya again, albeit at his back, a matching pink hue dusting her cheeks as Hitsugaya's words sunk in. A present? Hitsugaya was supposed to be a present? Had she been that obvious?

"…Momo, what is it?"

"I-it's nothing!" Hurriedly, she leant forward, back towards the knots-

-Just as Hitsugaya turned his head, concern lingering on lips that found themselves pressed to a cool forehead, partially obscured by bangs.

She didn't know who pulled back first, but she met wide, startled eyes as she practically pushed herself backwards, apologies already bubbling up and out of her. "I-I'm so sorry! I did-didn't mean to-"

But Hitsugaya was already turning around, sea-blue eyes searching her face. "Momo."

"I honestly didn't mean to do it! I was reaching for the knot and then you turned and-"

The second kiss was pressed directly on her lips, tentative and unsure and seeking something she could only helplessly yield up as her eyes fluttered close. It was every bit as warm as the first though, slightly clumsy but soft nonetheless, more forceful as he leant in slowly.

She must have pulled him close at some point – it's only after they parted that she realized that her arms were encircling him, still tugging him close.

"Momo."

"Um." What does one say after something like that? 'I've been wanting to do that for ages?' 'You were really good?' 'I think I really like you?' She could only sit, dazed as she watched Hitsugaya struggle to pull himself upright.

"Momo." It was more a command than a murmur now, all business. "Could we finish untying the rest of the knots now, quickly?"

"O-oh, okay." And that was it; Shirou-chan was probably just humoring her, the way he always did, even back when they were still living in Rukongai. Stifling a sniffle (she would not, not cry in front of Shirou-chan!), she quickly pulled at the knots, trying to get them undone as swiftly as possible. She owed him that much, seeing how him being in such a predicament was her fault in the first place.

"Ow!"

"Ah, sorry!" Couldn't she do anything right?

Still, as the last knot untangled into a long, sinuous length of rope, she could not help but thank Matsumoto and Mori for having given her this much, even if their 'gift' had been rather unexpected, both in idea and delivery.

"They're loose, Shi-Hitsugaya-kun."

She had barely enough time to apologize for the unconscious slip-up before warm arms enveloped her, pinning her to the back of the couch. "About time too. Really Momo, you need to be more efficient."

"Wha- I did it as fast as I co-"

Shirou-chan needed to stop interrupting people, was her last coherent thought as Hitsugaya kissed her again, hands keeping her firmly in place, warm lips gently meeting her own trembling ones.

When they pulled apart, Hitsugaya's eyes searched her own, uncertain. "Momo-"

"…I thought kissing you might feel colder. Icier, somewhat."

"What??" If not for her own arms around him, Hitsugaya would have pulled back. As it was, his eyes narrowed as he stared at her uncomprehendingly. "What's that supposed to mean??"

Laughing softly, she leant her head against his shoulder. "It means I… I really l-like you, Shirou-chan."

It wasn't long before Hitsugaya chuckled, ruffling her hair and earning a yelp from her. "Silly Momo, was that supposed to be your idea of a confession?"

She hummed into his shoulder in response, savoring the warmth she found there.

"…I suppose we owe Matsumoto and Mori our thanks then."

Lifting her head up enough to meet Hitsugaya's serious gaze, Hinamori couldn't help laughing. "Was that supposed to be your idea of a confession, Shirou-chan?"

"…Perhaps."

He cut off her reply with another kiss, which Hinamori would have counted as cheating, had she not been occupied returning it. This time though, he didn't quite pull away, moving instead to press another soft one to her forehead.

"Momo?"

"Hmmm?"

And as he leant in to capture her lips yet again, his breath ghosted across her skin, a murmur laced with affection.

"Congratulations."