December 20th, 12:00 am

A/N: December 20th is Hitsugaya Touchirou's birthday! TODAY, for freaking sake!! And I forgot!!! Ahhhh!!! Gomen ne, Shirou-chan!!!!

Toushirou: ....... -_-#
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December 20th, 12:00 am
MazdaKitsune

Tick... tick... tick... tick...

The hands of the clock moved slowly as the seconds ticked by. In less than five minutes, it would be December the 20th. Hitsugaya blew out a breath and smiled to himself, watching the snow fall gently to the ground from under a tree that was bare of leaves, but laden with snow.

Tick... tick... tick... tick...

Hyourinmaru rumbled gently from where he lay, next to the young captain, an early 'Happy Birthday' greetings for his master. Everytime, every year, it was the same. The same time and same place Hitsugaya would go to alone, to quietly await that special moment of the day where the clock ticked midnight, and the time changed.

Day to day.

Night to day.

The day when Hitsugya Toushirou was "born" in Rukongai.

Tick... tick... tick... tick...

Only a minute left to go now. The smile grew wider on Hitsugaya's face. His hiding place was peaceful and quiet, a special birthday place for him to hide in. A sigh escaped his lips as he leaned his head back, momentarily letting himself forget about the troubles and responsibilites of a taichou and relax in the soothing enviroment.

"Almost time," he said aloud, his breath forming mist into the air in front of his face. "10 more seconds...."

Tick.. tick.. tick.. tick..

Five

Four

Three

Two

One

"Happy birthday, Hyorinmaru/Shirou-chan."

Thetwo voices startled each other, and Hitsugaya jumped up from his spot, whirling around in surprise to find Hinamori Momo standing quietly with a smile on her face, holding a small cake with a few candles on it in her hands.

"Hinamori?"

The candles lit up her face with a soft orange glow, and she started singing the Birthday song as she walked towards him, stopping in front of him when she finished. "Happy Birthday to you, Shirou-chan."

Hitsugaya gaped at her. "How did you find me? I thought I hid my rieatsu well..."

Hinamori laughed. "Rangiku-san followed you and told me where you are. I thought I'd surprise you with a cake I made myself. Here, blow the candles and make a wish."

Slowly, Hitsugaya leaned down, closed his eyes for a while, then blew out the candles. "Thank you, Hinamori..."

Hinamori smiled again. "I have a present for you, Shirou-chan. Close your eyes."

Still stunned, the young taichou did as he was told.... and his eyes flew open in surprise as Hinamori promptly set the cake aside and kissed him. Slowly, his eyes slipped shut again and he slid his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him with a sigh as he returned her kiss.

"I hope you like your present, Shirou-chan..." Hinamori said as they broke apart, blushing shyly.

"It's the best I ever got yet, Bed-Wetter Momo," Hitsugaya teased with a smile.

Hinamori pouted. "Don't call me that, Shirou-chan! Come on." She picked up the cake and linked her arm with his. "Rangiku planned a party for you in your office. She invited everyone, including Kuchiki-taichou, and Ukitake-taichou made a candy statue for you. You'd better get there before Yachiru decides to eat it all up..."

Hitsugaya let himself be dragged along by her, listening to her happy chatter all the way with a grin on his face. December 20th, 12:00 am. His birthday.. and also the day where Hinamori confessed her love for him with a simple kiss.

He wasn't going to forget this particular birthday in a hurry.

~Owari~