Author's Note: Let's kick off the New Year with a new story by me, December Dragons! Hopefully this year will be a tad bit better than the last. Anywho, hope you will all like this story. No flames; just constructive criticism sugar-coated with how well I did will be allowed. Arigatou gozaimasu for reading this and for your continuing patronage.

I stood in the doorway of a bedridden old friend. A breathing apparatus attached to her mouth. She looked as if the weight of the world had crushed her hopes and dreams. Her physical wounds will heal, I know that, but her mental wounds won't be so fortunate. If it would change anything at all, I would willingly switch places with her. As I turned away to leave, a familiar kind voice stopped me.

"Some words," Unohana-taichou said. "Couldn't you say some words to her? She is waiting to be called by someone who needs her."

That part is true. I do need her. But, does she need me? I mean, I couldn't even be there for her in her time of dire need. "The way I am now...I have no words to say to her now."

"'Now'?" Unohana questioned.

"If you'll excuse me," I said, leaving Unohana-taichou and Hinamori-fukutaichou alone in the room. I'm not strong enough for her. Not now, anyway.

~xXx~

Tossing and turning, I couldn't find solace in the embrace of sleep. Images of Hinamori bleeding on the floor of Central 46 kept racing through my mind, forcing me to stay awake. I sat up on my bed. I just had to see her again. Slipping on an outer robe, I secretly left my room. If Matsumoto had found out my leave, she would've come with me. I don't want anyone with Hinamori and I. I want to at least sit with her, something I haven't done in ages.

~xXx~

"I'm sorry, Momo," was the first thing I said to her. Nothing but regret and sorrow is felt in my heart. "You must think I'm pretty pathetic at this point, even though you'd never admit it." If she was conscious, that is, I thought to myself.

"Remember when we first met at baa-chan's place?" My mind started to wander....

Baa-chan passed me by as I was sitting on my home—a rubber mat at the time. For whatever reason she took pity on this cold-hearted kid. "Dearie, you look like you need a place to stay. Want to come with me?"

For whatever reason, I was compelled to come with her. When we got to her house, you ran up and gave baa-chan a big hug. "Baa-chan, who's this boy?"

"Hitsugaya Toushirou," I said in my snotty way.

"My name is Hinamori Momo. Nice to meet you," you said, with the beam of God's light shining from your face.

It was nice having that kind of warmth, even though at the time I was grossed out by it since you were a girl. "Yeah, whatever...."

Later that night, you had one of your "accidents." You were older than me and you wet the bed?! Well, that was the one and only time that I remember you wetting your bed.

"I can't let baa-chan see this!" you were squealing at me.

"Why should I care if you wet your bed?" I hissed at you. Then you gave me one of your cute looks. Next thing I knew I leant you my blanket and the next morning I was cleaning your bedding behind baa-chan's back. I think she knew anyways, Momo.

"I gave you a nickname," I said, looking at her nostagically, "bedwetter." I snickered. Those were good times. No matter what trick I played on you, you were always kind to me. You shouted, raised your voice, but never really stayed mad. Even when you tried to stay mad to "teach me a lesson" or something, I could always pull you out of it with your favorite fruit—peaches.

Aizen-taichou....That name disgusts me, but I really thought that he was a good person. You used to talk about him alot whenever you came home from the academy. Aizen-taichou this, Aizen-taichou that....I got sick of hearing about him. It got worse when I joined the academy and you found out about it. I wanted to gouge my own ear drums out.

"You were practically ecstatic when you found out that I became a captain. I couldn't stop you from congratulating and hugging me. But I was equally proud of you when you became a lieutenant. I didn't show it that much but I was proud of you, as a younger brother is of his one-chan. How I wish we could all go back to those days!

"I guess you could say that we were both glad of the paths we've chosen," I said, gazing upon Momo's relaxed countenance, "but the bumps in the road we could've done without. But I promise you this one thing—I will become stronger. Just you wait."

I got up to leave, but a sudden urge suddenly whammed me. Gazing upon her face, I wondered if this was too presumptuous. To Hueco Mundo with it. I planted a quick peck on her forehead. Don't read too much into it. I would give anything for her to get better immediately, but I know that's an impossible demand. Got to get at least some sleep tonight, I thought. Kami-sama help me if I wake up to Matsumoto's breasts again…. With that lovely thought in mind, I left to my sleeping quarters. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day….