As Close to Heaven

"This is as close to flying as we humans can get, Toushirou-kun."

Said white-haired captain turned his eyes to face the speaker. And was blinded. Dazzled.

Three years have already passed since he first met her, and it's still hard to believe that so many things can take place within three years. And she's 18 now…

Hitsugaya took in the wavier auburn hair, which seems to have absorbed the final rays of the sunset as it was lit up from the helium star behind her, creating a fiery halo around her delicate face. He had been unprepared for the sight and was too mesmerized and lacking common sense to look away, causing the image to be burnt on the back of his retinas.

Hibiscus hairpins no longer held back her bangs not that it was needed right now with the wind whipping through their hair from going at 200km/h but tucked safely away on the inside of a college blazer. Yes, Inoue Orihime has changed, and Hitsugaya had not been present to see her progressions. As such as with most things that you don't observe, all these observations and differences came up behind and whacked him to his knees presently.

She is already in her first year at Todai (Tokyo university) studying medicine, having taken the courageous and heartbreaking decision to leave behind her nakama in Karakura, although with her two-seater Porsche she can quite easily speed back to her friends for a weekend visit.

Hitsugaya would never forget Kurosaki Ichigo's shock, awe and worry at discovering his best friend's raw talent and nocturnal interest to go racing on Wangan whether it be by car or motorcycle. Although Hitsugaya had tried the latter as a passenger…embarrassingly, he can freely admit that he prefers Orihime's Porsche instead although that may be due to the bias he has for the car's metallic sky blue colour.

The now not-so-tiny captain heard a rumbling laughter within the caverns of his mind, which he steadfastly and studiously ignored.

Hitsugaya Toushirou has changed too. He has grown a little though not enough. Surprisingly, he has come for a recreational visit rather than a reconnaissance mission. Hitsugaya was surprised at his own decision, to choose to go to her. For some reason, he immediately thought of going to Orihime for comfort after a non-unexpected rejection from Hinamori. He had even bypassed the thought of going to Matsumoto, and that in itself was telling considering he respected and trusted his Lieutenant with his life despite her lackadaisical attitude to paperwork.

So now, here they were, in her car just cruising down Wangan highway. You and I both need to take a break, she had smiled as she gently pulled him to his feet and towards the staircase that led to the garage.

Hardly talking. Simply feeling the breeze ruffle and tangle their hair. Enjoying the sunset… Hitsugaya belatedly realized that he hasn't stopped staring at the beautiful girl. Silently cursing himself, he stiffly whipped his head to face the front with an affirmative grunt, trying to ignore the spread of heat across his cheeks or the unusual pounding of his heart in his gigai.

Not caring why, and free of all the worries and burdens of his duties and his heart, he slowly allowed a tiny smile to form on his lips.

Sneaking a glance at Orihime who kept her focus on the road ahead, his teal eyes softened.

Yes, this was heaven indeed…

A/N I thought we needed another Hitsuhime after an absence of one for awhile. :3 So, you know the code… please leave a review before driving off towards the sunset.

And yes, this was partly inspired by the movie Wangan Midnight. (I haven't read the manga though it sounds interesting.)

I do not own Bleach.