The River of Memories

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's back was turned when Hitsugaya entered the meeting room. All the other taichos were already there.

He took his place in between Kyoraku Shunsui and Kuchiki Byakuya and Matsumoto stood formally behind him. No one spoke.

Yamamoto turned around and surveyed the group of taichos and fukutaichos.

"Today," he announced. "We are here to discuss about Gotei 13's vacant seats. Naturally, bankai users have already been approached. Those who have given consent are readily accepted. If all goes well, then Abarai Renji, previous fukutaicho of luku-bantai, will rise as san-bantai taicho, with Izuru Kira as fukutaicho." Yamamoto paused, and there was a smattering of applause from the audience. "Good for you, Renji." he heard Matsumoto whisper behind him.

"Madarame Ikakku has been approached for kyu-bantai, but the results are pending." Yamamoto frowns for a moment. "Following that, Kurosaki Ichigo has been approached for go-bantai."

The silence seemed to become deeper and more profound. The ex-taicho of go-bantai was Aizen Sosuke. He might be dead, but there was a certain feeling when this subject was breached. Yamamoto hesitated, just slightly before continuing.

"Results are still pending. As for the fukutaicho position…"

Hitsugaya's eyes widened. He looked up. Between Tetsuzaemon Iba and Izuru Kira, there was a space; a space for someone to fill.

He got the prickling sensation that everyone had their eyes on him: and it was true, they did.

"Not yet." he said. "Not yet."

"How much longer, Hitsugaya-taicho?"

He didn't have an answer to that question. Nobody had, and Yamamoto knew it.

He wanted to say that there was no way in hell that they are going to do this, no way Hitsugaya would let them, but if he was Yamamoto he would have done the same thing.

"Hinamori Momo isn't incapacitated. She can still work. She's woken up. She just…"

"How will she work with her mental state? Forgive me for interrupting, but if Hinamori Momo is incapable of helping herself, then I don't think she should be in charge of the division. In fact, may I suggest that she comes over to my lab for some expe-"

"Shut up, Mayuri!" Hitsugaya spat the last word out like a curse.

"It is the best offer she's going to get, unless you want her to-"

"Silence, imbecile! You were right in only one thing, and that is it was wrong for you to interrupt."

"One more year, sotaicho. Give her one more year."

Yamamoto eyes him critically. One year wasn't enough for a person to regain all their memories.

"Ten months." It was settled.

Hinamori Momo had ten months to recover her forgotten memory. By ten months, she will have to reassert control over go-bantai.

And hopefully, by ten months, she will remember a certain forgotten Shiro-chan as well.

Hitsugaya groaned and rolled off his bed as sunlight hit his eyes. He really needed to get more sleep.

Today is the 30th of March. 3 months had passed since the Winter War had ended. 3 months had passed since Hinamori's last confrontation with Aizen. And now, today was Ba-chan's birthday.

He always cancelled all appointments on the last day of every month to visit Ba-chan. In March, he would cancel whole weekends to spend it with Ba-chan. But everytime, he was accompanied by Hinamori. But Hinamori didn't remember her anymore. Besides, would Ba-chan even want to see Hinamori in this state? Birthday's were supposed to be happy.

In the end he decided to buy his grandmother her birthday present first, then go over to yon-bantai and talk to Hinamori.

He strolled down one of Seireitei's better known streets. Merchants were selling expensive jewelry and elaborate cloths. He ignored them and walked to the shop selling sets of tea cups.

"Your most expensive ones." he said, dropping his heavy money bag on the table. The coins inside his pouch made a Chink sound.

"Yes, sir!" squeaked the shopkeeper. He returned carrying a set of teapots with beautiful landscape paintings on it.

"The best one in my shop, sir! I will even throw in a packet of tea in with this beauty."

Hitsugaya took his time and examined the tea cups.

"This one, then."

"Thank you, sir!"

Hitsugaya watched as the shopkeeper wrapped the tea set with rice paper. His thoughts were elsewhere.

"Hinamori-kun," sang the nurse. "You have a visitor!"

The nurse withdrew from the door and Hitsugaya entered the room. Hinamori was sitting up on her bed. "Shiro-chan!" she smiled.

"I'll leave you two, then." The nurse smiled and exited the room, but Hitsugaya stopped her.

"Did anyone explained to Hinamori about her current state of condition yet?" He asked in a low whisper.

"No, not yet, sir." The nurse bows respectfully and leaves.

Great, he thought. He looked helplessly at Hinamori, unsure of what to do next.

"What is that, Shiro-chan?" Hinamori points to the gift he has in his hands.

"It's a gift for my grandmother." He hesitated slowly, then added "Our grandmother."

Hinamori didn't hear the last part. "That's good, Shiro-chan! Your grandmother will be so pleased."

He stared. Hinamori wasn't wearing her shinigami clothes. She was wearing the clothes that they used to wear while they lived in Rukongai.

"Would you," Hitsugaya licked his lips. She was already dressed for Rukongai. "Would you like to visit my grandmother with me?"

Her face brightened. "I can?"

"Sure." Hitsugaya tried to smile.

"What's your grandmother's name, Shiro-chan? Where does she live?"

Ba-chan's name. Oh god.

"My grandmother… she… her name…" He wasn't thinking properly. She didn't remember Ba-chan's name.

"You can just call her Oba-san." He said at last. "And she lives in Jurin'an, West 1st District, Rukongai. Today is her… birthday. March 30th." He almost said remember that.

"Let's go, then!" Hinamori skipped out of the room, Hitsugaya in tow.

She ran energetically out of yon-bantai's barracks. She laughed as she breathed in spring's air, and chased a butterfly that flew near. Her happiness was infectious. Hitsugaya felt a smile tug on his lips.

"Just a moment please, Hitsugaya-taicho."

His smile froze, and he turned to the source of the voice. Unohana-taicho was beckoning him from the entrance.

"Do I tell her the truth?" he asked, keeping his voice low.

Unohana-taicho hesitated for while, weighing the options. "No," she said. "The truth will just be too much for her."

"But she is a fukutaicho. She is a shinigami in Gotei 13. And her zanpakuto..."

"And Aizen? The Winter War? The Arrancars? Would you have her remember those too, Hitsugaya-taicho?"

He felt as if he couldn't breath anymore. Would he have Hinamori remember those that should be forgotten?

When Hitsugaya's reply wasn't forthcoming, Unohana-taicho continued: "Let her remember, a little at a time, about the person she used to be. Not all at once. She needs time. Take her to places she was familiar with. You are the only one who can help her now. And then slowly, she will start to remember. How about this, Hitsugaya-taicho?"

It struck him that he would have to take out a lot of personal time for this. But he will do it. He was the only one who is able to. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Hinamori walking closer.

"What about Tobuime?" he asked urgently.

"Forgotten, too. But Tobuime will reach out to HInamori as well. I will have Hinamori-kun's katana sent to ju-bantai. You should keep it in the meantime. Perhaps you could get Hyorinmaru to talk to Tobuime or something."

In his inner world, Hyorinmaru stirred a little, hearing his name in the conversation. What about Minazuki?

Hitsugaya relayed his question. "What about Minazuki? Did you try?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, Tobuime was not in a very suitable condition to talk. She is very distressed."

"Alright." Somehow he thought that having Hyorinmaru or Minazuki talk to Tobuime wasn't going to achieve different results. As though she read his mind, Unohana-taicho spoke: "Zanpakuto's actions and thoughts are influenced by their master's feelings."

Hitsugaya blushed. "Thank you." he murmured to her.

"What are you talking about?" asked Hinamori.

"Important things." He replied. "Let's go."

The both of them walked out of the West Gate. Or rather, Hitsugaya walked, Hinamori skipped. From yon-bantai all the way here, she made comments on every single thing she saw. Did you see that butterfly, Shiro-chan? I can see it everywhere I go! Thisi Seireitei place... the buildings all look the same, why don't you get confused? Why do you always wear that haori? Is that a katana slung on your back?

When they reached the gate, Jidanbo, the West Gate keeper, raised his hand in greeting. "Morning, Hitsugaya-taicho!" To Hinamori he said "Are you feeling better, Hinamori-kun?"

"Yes, thank you!" Hinamori giggled. "Everyone here seems to know me, Shiro-chan! Do I know them all? And why does everyone call you Hitsugaya-taicho?"

Pretending that he didn't hear her, Hitsugaya turned and waved: "Bye, Jidanbo!" He saw the West Gate keeper doubled over at his greeting, a look of surprise on his face. Quickly, Hitsugaya took Hinamori's hand and steered her down a familiar path to Jurin'an.

The villagers from Jurin'an stared out at the both of them as they walked down the path. Doing his best to ignore them, he walked steadily towards a house at the end of the road. It was probably the biggest house in Jurin'an. A peach tree growing in the front yard was bearing fruits.

Hinamori stopped behind him. "Is this where your grandmother lives, Shiro-chan?"

"Our grandmother. Call her Oba-san."

Hinamori stared at him, confused. "Our grandmother?" She repeated.

"Just come in." Hitsugaya seized her arm and dragged her in.

"Ba-chan!" He said loudly. He stepped on Hinamori's toes, hoping that she would get the message.

"Oba-san!" She chimed. "Oba-san!"

Hitsugaya's dear, frail old grandmother appeared at the door. "Hitsugaya! Hinamori!" she cried.

"What did she call you, Shiro-chan?" asked Hinamori in a low voice.

"My other name." he hissed. He hugged his grandmother tight. "Happy Birthday. I got you a present."

"Ever year, Hitsugaya, you get me a birthday present on my birthday. There are now so many things, where do I put them all?" She gestured her hand at the shelf behind her. It was filled with the gifts that Hitsugaya and Hinamori had given her over the years.

"They are for you to use, Ba-chan. Not for you to display." His grandmother never had the heart to use expensive and beautiful items.

"They are too expensive. Next time buy cheaper ones." She led them to the house. Unwrapping the parcel, she lifted up the beautiful tea set that Hitsugaya bought.

"But thank you, all the same. You are a thoughtful boy, Hitsugaya." Gingerlyy, she took the tea set out of the parcel and set them on the table. She clasped Hitsugaya and Hinamori's hand in her own.

"You look thinner, Hinamori. Have you been eating well?"

Hinamori nods. "Yes I have!"

"Eat more, Hinamori. Your body needs them. Besides, it looks like Hitsugaya is catching up with you!"

It was true. Hitsugaya definitely grew taller. He was now at 140cm. He grew seven centimeters, even though his height is not yet considered intimidating.

"You did, Shiro-chan? I couldn't tell!" Laughing, Hinamori petted his head.

"Don't pet my head." he mumbled, annoyed. At least her memory loss didn't change her personality.

Grow taller, Hitsugaya. Aim for my height. At my height, you will be towering and intimidating.

Hitsugaya blushed. Hyorinmaru humanoid form was very tall, at 180m. And he was right, being tall is intimidating. Besides, he was also tired of being called 'Shorty' behind his back. Especially when Matsumoto is drunk and he has to drag her back from the sake bar. Those were absolute nightmares, with her screaming: "Let go of me, you shorty!!!"

"Sit down, both of you. I made some rice cakes…"

Hinamori sat and looked around the house. "Nice house, Shiro-chan!" She grinned at him.

"Oh." Hitsugaya didn't know how to answer. Now she was acting like she had never seen this place.

"Rice cakes!" announced Ba-chan. She set a basket of multi-colored rice cakes on the table. Hinamori took a pink one eagerly and started to eat. Hitsugaya reached for a white one and put it in his mouth.

The rice cakes didn't take a very long time to finish.

"How is work, Hitsugaya?" His grandmother asked.

"Not bad. Matsumoto is still lazy. I'm still doing all the work."

"At least the both of you get along well."

Hitsugaya snorted. Hinamori looks at him, and slowly asks "Matsumoto is…"

Hurridely, Hitsugaya finished for her "Still the same old, big-breasted, blonde oba-san."

"Eh? Why are you calling her oba-san, Shiro-chan?"

"Because she is."

"Hitsugaya," mused Ba-chan. "Don't be so rude."

"I'm her taicho."

"Taicho…" begins Hinamori, another question forming on her lips.

"Hinamori." he says loudly, getting rather afraid of her questions. "Let's go out and… play."

The word lingers in the air for a whole, tense second. Hinamori brightens. "Play?" she asks, cocking her head.

"Play?" repeats Ba-chan, unsure of what she heard.

"Play." says Hitsugaya firmly. "Let me go change."

Hitsugaya enters the room where he used to sleep in. Same closet, same table, same bed. Hitsugaya frowns. Surely his bed wasn't that small. He couldn't have been that small, could he? He placed Hyorinmaru on his small bed. The long katana took up nearly the entire bed.

Taking off his haori, he proceeded to strip himself of his shinigami clothing. He tossed his underwear top on the floor without much care, when he heard footsteps behind him. "Wait," he called. Hastily he grabbed for his clothes to cover himself with. Too late.

"Shiro-chan?" Deep, red patches form on Hinamori's cheeks.

All to aware that he's naked, Hitsugaya forced his voice to an absolute calm and said "Your room is on the left."

"Alright. I just wanted too... nevermind." Hinamori bowed her head sheepishly, and hastily heads for the left. "That's my…" begins Hitsugaya.

Hinamori steps on his white underwear top that he had carelessly thrown on the floor. She gasps and falls backwards and crashes into Hitsugaya. Unable to support her weight, the both of them falls onto the floor.

They stay in this pose for a long, awkward second. "Gerroff me." mumbles Hitsugaya.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Apologising frantically, Hinamori scrambles out of his room and bolts into her own.

Fifteen minutes later, Hitsugaya had changed out of his shinigami wear, into his casual, Rukongai clothing. They walk side by side on the path, careful not to wander too far off from one another, and not to get too close to one another.

"Let's go down to the river, Shiro-chan."

Hitsugaya nods and follows her down the path. He was surprised that she still remembered the way to the river. But she obviously didn't, as halfway down she stopped, thinking.

"Where is the river, Shiro-chan?"

Don't get your hopes up.

Hyorinmaru was right. "Down there," he said, pointing at a distant muddy streak at the bottom of the hill.

Hinamori claps at the sight of it and breaks into a leisure run. Her slippers make loud slapping noises on the ground. Reaching the river, she paused to catch her breath, then waded into the muddy water.

Hitsugaya stopped in his tracks. He almost shouted out to her that the river was dirty and she shouldn't go in, but they were in Rukongai, not Seireitei. While Seireitei was all about being clean and having rules, Rukongai was this huge, dirty place, with absolute freedom.

What the heck, thought Hitsugaya. He plunged into the water after Hinamori.

The water plastered his hair onto his scalp. The dirty water gave his hair color a dirtier look. Hinamori's hair band came loose, and her black hair tumbled down over her shoulders.

Hitsugaya saw a mischievous glint in her eye. Pretending not to notice her, he stared down at his reflection in the water. He looked like a dirty boy from Rukongai without any capabilities, instead of the smart, powerful captain he really was. He felt a splash of water on his right shoulder. He turned to her, hands on his hips, and she started to giggle.

Two can play the game, he thought. He bent down and splashed her with the water. It hit her full in the face, and she coughed and splattered. He remembered vaguely how the two of them used to come down to this very river and played. It felt like aeons ago.

He was on the verge of apologizing, seeing the distressed Hinamori, when she kicked the water up into his face. He spluttered and splashed at her again.

Hinamori started to laugh. She twirled about in the water, sending splashes into Hitsugaya's direction. Slowly, Hitsugaya heard himself joining in. If I had Hyorinmaru with me, I would control the whole entire river and dump the whole lot on her head.

It occurred to him that if he had Hyorinmaru with him, he would not use Hyorinmaru to create tidal waves for the mere sake of playing. Why not, though? Why, didn't he, when he had the chance?

Because it wasn't practical. Hyorinmaru answered in his head. Besides, my shikai will probably scare Hinamori.

We'll see.

"Are you afraid of dragons, Hinamori?" he asked.

"Why the sudden question, Shiro-chan?" Still laughing, Hinamori answered "Well, if the dragon is friendly, then I won't be afraid of it, I guess."

Are you friendly, Hyorinmaru?

Well, if she is friendly, then I won't be afraid, I guess.

Hitsugaya rolled his eyes. "Wait here, Hinamori." He ran out of the river and shunpoed back to the house.

"Goodness, Hitsugaya!" Admonished his grandmother, as he came sloppiong mud all over the floor.. "You have been playing."

Hitsugaya ran into his room and grabbed Hyorinmaru. Then he ran out of the house again. "I'm going to play some more!" he cried. He hadn't felt so playful and so energized ever since he left Rukongai for Seireitei. It felt fantastic.

He shunpoed back to the river, and crouched some distance behind Hinamori, where she couldn't see him. Be friendly, Hyorinmaru.

"Soten ni zase, Hyorinmaru!" He felt the familiar rush of reiatsu, and Hyorinmaru burst out of his katana. He placed his katana on the shore, and the ice dragon rushed into the water, riding the waves.

Hinamori turned around in shock and noticed Hitsugaya. "Shiro-chan!" she cried, running over.

"The dragon is friendly, Hinamori. Are you afraid of him?" He smiled at her until she smiled back.

Hyorinmaru emerged skywards as a fully fledged dragon with wings. He went underwater and then resurfaced, drenching the both of them in muddy water.

Hitsugaya laughed. Noticing that Hinamori still seemed a bit reluctant, he made a grab for a abandoned bucket on a shore. Filling it to the brim with water, he flung the pail of muddy water at Hyorinmaru, who shook his massive head.

A small smile creeps onto Hinamori's face. Following suit, she grabbed the other abandoned bucket and starts to splash Hyorinmaru with it.

Laughing, panting and sweating, they threw water all over Hyorinmaru, and Hyorinmaru threw water all over them. When the sun started to set, Hinamori when onshore, panting, and lay down on the grass. Hitsugaya lay down beside her.

"That was fun, Shiro-chan!" Hinamori's brown eyes were shining.

"That was fun." Agreed Hitsugaya.

Was that friendly, Hitsugaya?

That was fun.

The sun, a great orange disc in the sky, sets beneath the horizon. The two of them rest on the grass, caught in a moment of time when everything is just blissfully perfect.