Alright, the last chapter! Yes, I know I updated in the same day, but I don't know if I'll get a chance to any other time. Anyways, here's the final chapter

Disclaimer- I don't own bleach. period.

I looked up at the blue skies, smiling. Beside me, a bowl of watermelons were being devoured, and I bit into the one I was currently holding. Keeping the seeds in my mouth, I glanced slyly around and saw Momo beside me, dozing off. Smirking, I spat them at her, and she jumped up, shrieking. "Shiro-chan, stop it!" Laughing, I poked her in the side. "That's what you get for sleeping, Bed-wetter Momo!"

She pouted. "I don't wet the bed anymore, Shiro-chan!" Suddenly, she stopped, and looked up at the sky. "I'm going to the Shinigami academy, Shiro. I'm going to become a Soul Reaper.

I frowned at her. "Why would you want to do that? All you do is sit in a classroom all day. I'd rather be out here eating watermelons and having fun."

"But that's it! Sure, the academy might be boring, but once you graduate you can go to the world of the living, see sights you won't see here, and protect others from hollows. Don't you find that exciting?" She said, eyes shining.

"'Course not." I replied bluntly, but secretly I was jealous. I wanted her to be here, with me, not going to some school with people who could hurt her. Call me overprotective, but I cherished her to much.

In response, she squished a watermelon in my face, giggling as I spluttered. "Oh, you'll go Shiro-chan, just you wait and see."

o0o

How right she was. The memories I had kept locked up inside flashed before my closed eyes, and I relieved every moment of my life, starting when I arrived here in the Soul Society, meeting Momo, the Shinigami Academy, and finally achieving my spot as a Captain and Aizen's betrayal. That whole time, I had loved Momo- first as a friend, then as it is now. I wondered if this is what they meant by my life flashing before my eyes before I died- but suddenly, dying didn't seem as good now as it did earlier.

o0o

Hinamori had managed to bring Toshiro to the fourth division in the blizzard, and now was holding his hand tightly as Captain Unohana and several other squad members warmed him up and checked to make sure everything was functioning properly. She knew that she was in the way, but she would not budge, knowing that Toshiro would do the same for her. It was time she stood up for herself and become the protector, not the protected. If only Toshiro would wake up, she thought. Then everything would be better. Quietly, she began speaking to him, just as he had once, when she was in a similar state.

o0o

Suspended in a world of light and dark, I didn't know whether to go on way or the other. The light was harsh and burned my eyes, but it was warm and comforting. The dark, on the other hand, would provide me with sleep and calm, but it was cold and unforgiving.

I heard someone calling out to me, quietly and softly. It swirled around me, pleading with me, asking me to come back. Confused, I looked around- shapes began swirling around me, making random patterns. Then one solidified, and with a start I realized it was Hinamori, looking around with a sad expression on her face.

"Shiro-chan, please wake up. Please, come back to me, Shiro-chan." She said, looking past him.

I walked forward, hands extended. "I'm here, Momo, I'm here." She didn't seem to hear me, just repeated her questioning, looking around. I stumbled forward, trying to grip her hand, but the instant we connected she dissolved into a thousand particles of shimmering light. I was soon surrounded by it, drowning in its radiance. I struggled upward, trying to escape this prison of my own creation…

o0o

Hinamori felt him stir and her grip tightened. "Shiro-chan! Can you hear me? Please, don't give up. Please!"

o0o

Her voice was getting stronger and louder, and with a final lunge I escaped the light, and in an instant I felt life returning to me. My senses came back with a rush, and I realized that I was lying in a bed, with someone squeezing my hand tightly. The cause of this was breathing hard, probably anxious. Slowly, I opened my eyes, seeing the worried face of Hinamori above me. For a moment, we regarded each other, and then I broke the silence. "You know, you're going to break my hand if you squeeze harder." I mumbled, still surprised that I was actually alive.

Her worried expression dissolved instantly, leaving her looking gloriously happy. "You're awake!" She yelled, practically tackling me as she hugged me. Startled, I wriggled out of her grasp, sitting upright. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

She laughed. "I know. But you've been asleep for hours…you'll miss the party!"

"What party?" I asked suspiciously.

Her hand covered her mouth. "Oh no, I wasn't supposed to say that! Look what you made me do!"

I smirked. "You'll tell me right now what you mean by a party, bed-wetter Momo." Lunging forward, I tickled her, and she rolled on top of me, laughing. "St...Stop, Shiro…chan! I can't…tell you…" She gasped, and I reluctantly gave up. Hugging her close, I said, "I'm glad you saved me, Momo. Thank you."

She blushed, and as we looked at each other, our heads drew closer together. Just when we were about to kiss, Unohana barged into the room and we sprang apart. Her blush deepening, Momo averted her eyes as Unohana eyed the two. "Well, glad to see you're up, Captain Hitsugaya. You just need to sign the release papers and you can go."

Nodding, I accepted the papers and quickly signed them, and after watching Unohana leave the room I got out of bed. Mumbling something about seeing me at my office later, she left me to change, and soon I was out of my hospital room and heading toward my office and the paperwork I needed to get done. Imagine my surprise when I entered, and I was practically trampled when people jumped out at me. "Happy Birthday Captain!" They hollered, but it was the "Happy Birthday Shiro-Chan!" that got my attention. And there was Momo, smiling and laughing at my shocked expression. I smiled, and went over to her. Not once did I leave her side the whole celebration.

o0o

After the party was over and the presents all unwrapped, Momo and I went up on the rooftop to watch the stars, just as we had for every birthday I've ever had. For a moment, we were silent, than Momo spoke up. "I have one last present for you, Shiro-chan." She said, blushing. Curiously, I looked at her. "What is it?" I asked.

For a split second she hesitated, then quickly leaned in and kissed me on the lips. Though I wanted it, I was still surprised that Momo would be the one to make the first move. Smirking, I playfully punched her on the shoulder. "What made you so bold, Momo?"

Her blush deepened. "Did you like it?" she asked, avoiding the question. I sighed. "Silly Momo, you would you ask that? It was the best present I've received my whole life." I responded, kissing her back.

Now, of course, I'm glad that I chose to live. Even though the day of the war is growing ever so closer, it's easier to manage because I know I'm not alone in it all. Though strange as it may sound, I don't regret getting lost in that snowstorm, because now I have Hinamori by my side forever and always.

This was a fun one to write. Yay, he lived! Not that I was planning on killing him...