"...Water. It seems that it plays a lot into the lives of those who I used to know so well when my memory was still normal. Toshiro especially. His zanpakuto is an Ice type, and ice derives from water, so it connects him even further. But, who knew something of water that seems so irrelevent, like the pond in front of us, could hold so much within it's cool surface. Well, I for one, didn't. And who knew that one accident could become a key factor to finally revealing a truth to me that I haven't been able to see from the time I lost my memories? Well, that one, I guess none of us knew. But, it has become a key, and in truth, I'm quite grateful to the water the splashes beneath me now, because without it, I would of never really discovered anything I know now..."
June 27
SOUL SOCIETY
Mariya's Perspective
Wind blasts past her face as she holds onto Toshiro, afraid for her life about what might happen if she releases her grip from his kimono as he flashsteps, cradling her.
"Uh, T-Toshiro?" Mariya stutters.
"Yes?" he answers.
"W-Where are we going? And, w-why are you carrying me?"
"You'll see soon. And as for carrying you..."
Without warning, Toshiro releases his grip, causing her to sherk a bit as she feels herself beginning to fall. But, Toshiro grabs hold of her wrist, and before Mariya knows it, she's on his back, her arms wrapped loosely around his neck.
"Is that better?" he asks.
For unknown reasons to her, she begins to blush.
"Uh, y-yeah. Thanks." she answers.
He chuckles.
"You are definitely more shy now, I'll tell you that." Toshiro comments.
"Sorry! I don't mean to be, I just-" she starts, blushing even more.
"Hey, calm down. It's ok, it's nice to see you act more like this from time to time."
"Oh, ok..."
For the next two minutes, nothing else is said, but it's nice as the wind blows her hair, which is still down because Toshiro took her before she could take back her ribbon.
Soon, she and Toshiro finally stop in the middle of what seems to be a forest.
"What the..." Mariya trails as Toshiro puts her down.
"I'm guessing this place doesn't look familiar, right?" Toshiro asks as he turns to look at her.
She shakes her head.
"Unfortunately, no, sorry." Mariya answers.
"It's alright, just follow me, okay?"
She nods and follows as Toshiro walks towards a open area ahead of them. As they come closer, Mariya questions herself as she starts to hear something.
Water.
As they walk out in the open space, Mariya walks a little farther ahead to a bolder that from afar seems to drop off to nothing, until you look down. Her eyes widen as she looks to see what she heard was indeed water, but actually a whole pond, a small waterfall running into it, then flowing into a small creek at the other end.
"Wow..." Mariya whispers.
"This is Kibou Pond. It's only about 20 minutes away from where we lived when we were younger." Toshiro says as he walks up to stand right next to her, "We used to come here on days like this and swim."
"Days like this? It's cloudy, and you can't see the sun." she points out.
"Exactly. I'm not a big fan of heat or sun, so days like today were the only days I would go out during summer time."
"Doesn't exactly sound like much fun, but I'll take your word for it."
"Hey! Sorry I'm late!" a voice calls from behind them.
Mariya and Toshiro turn to see another young Soul Reaper, probably only a little older then them. She's only about an inch or two taller then Mariya, and her ebony brown hair is pulled back, held in some weird pouch thing, kept back by a draw string, side-swept bangs revealing her big brown eyes.
"Momo, where were you?" Toshiro asks, his tone changed a bit.
"I was talking to Captain Aizen, sorry Shiro." Momo answers, before turning to look at Mariya, "Mari! I haven't seen you in a while!"
"Uh...no, I guess not." Mariya says, before moving closer to Toshiro to whisper in his ear, "Who's she?"
He seems to deflat a bit.
"Mariya, this is Momo, she grew up with us, and is a childhood friend. She's also the lieutenant of Squad 5." Toshiro says, some irritation in my voice, "And my name isn't Shiro, you are to call me Captain Hitsugaya, Momo."
"You don't make me call you Captain." Mariya points out.
"Because you are closer to my age." Toshiro answers.
"Oh..." Mariya trails.
She looks over to see that Momo's expression has faded some.
"You mean you don't remember me either?" Momo asks.
Mariya shakes her head.
"Sorry." Mariya answers.
Momo looks at Toshiro, who seems to give her some gesture.
"Well, that doesn't matter. What matters right now is trying to see if we can help you remember anything." Momo says as she walks to stand with the two of them.
"Like what?" Mariya asks.
"Well, for example, let's see if we can get anything out of Kibou Pond." Momo says as she gestures towards the pond, "We have a lot of memories here from when we were kids, so there's a good possibility you might remember something."
Mariya turns back and looks down into the water.
"I don't remember anything." Mariya says, looking hard into the clear surface of the water.
"Well, it's going to take longer then five seconds, Mari, just think." Momo says, "Think. Um, try to imagine a day kinda like today. You are only about 70 years old, as is Toshiro, and I'm 100. There are a few other kids, but there's enough room for us to do our own thing. Without warning, it begins to rain, and many of the kids run for home, but we stay, and the funniest thing happened."
Mariya kneels, still looking into the water, hoping that Momo's decription brings something up to the surface of her mind.
Nothing.
"I can't remember, Momo." Mariya says.
Momo looks over at Toshiro, hoping he can convey something to her.
"Mariya, you just think about it for a little longer, alright." Toshiro says.
"Oh, a-alright." Mariya answers, before looking back into the pond.
With her knowledge, Mariya hears Toshiro being pulled a little ways by Momo.
"..Toshiro, she doesn't remember anything, what can we do?!-..." Momo whispers.
"..Momo, calm down, just give her some time. She is remembering stuff-.." Toshiro answers.
"...-Like what?! Toshiro, she might be able to remain a Captain if she doesn't get her memory back soon-.."
"...-That's why we're here! Momo, she can remember things, we just have to give her more time then 5 minutes..."
Mariya doesn't hear Momo's response, but they soon come back.
Momo kneels beside Mariya, looking down at the water, overlooking the pond from the bolder.
"You really aren't the same person anymore, Mari..." Momo comments.
Mariya's eyes widen when something clicks as she sees all three of their reflections in the water.
"....You don't own the pond, you can't just kick us out!..."
Momo voice, but younger, yells through her brain, irritated by something.
"...He, who do you think you are, little munckin? If you wanna stay, just get rid of Snowflake right next to ya-"
It's a boy's voice, and just the way it sounds makes her a little irritated.
"His name is Toshiro, and he has just a big as a right as we all do-"
Her eyes widen as she recognizes her own voice.
"Oh look, miss Mari is protecting Snowflake-"
"His name is TOSHIRO, you fat pig!"
It cuts off there.
She stands immediately, causing Toshiro and Momo to blink in surprise.
"Mari, what is it?" Momo asks as she stands.
"I called him a fat pig..." Mariya trails, "But, who was the boy I called a fat pig?..."
Momo's eyes widen.
"Mari! That's right, what happened after that?!" Momo yells as she takes hold of Mariya's shoulders.
Mariya stares at her in surprise.
"I-I don't know-" Mariya answers.
"Oh course you know! Just think!" Momo yells, shaking Mariya.
"No, really, that's all I remember-"
"No it's not!" Momo snaps.
"Momo, she doesn't remember anything else-" Toshiro tries to interject.
"She has to remember, she has to-" Momo starts, shoving Mariya a bit.
Suddenly, as Momo shoves, Mariya looses her footing.
"ACK!" Mariya sherks as she falls over the edge.
"MARIYA!" Toshiro yells.
As she hits the water, the horrible truth traces her mind.
She doesn't remember how to swim...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toshiro's Perspective
"MARIYA!" Toshiro yells as he tries to grab Mariya before she falls off the bolder completely.
His hand just misses her.
"Oh no!" Momo yells as she follows Mariya with her eyes, shaking.
"Momo, why did you do that?!" Toshiro snaps.
"I-I didn't mean to!" Momo yells back.
"HA!"
They both look down to see Mariya coming back up to the surface, splashing eractically.
His eyes widen as he notices familiar patterns.
"She doesn't remember.." Toshiro trails.
"What?!" Momo starts.
"-She doesn't remember how to swim!" Toshiro snaps.
Momo's face turns white.
"H-HELP!" Mariya screams.
"Damn it!" Toshiro yells.
Momo blinks in surprise as he hands his haori to her.
"W-What are you doing?-" Momo starts.
"What does it look like? I replaying that day 70 years back!" Toshiro yells, taking off the top part of his kimono so he's bare chest.
He looks down.
Mariya's gone below the surface.
...Damn it! She'll drown!...
"Wh-What?!" Momo yells.
Without delay, Toshiro takes a running start and jumps, aiming directly for the same spot he had last seen Mariya bobbing.
He lands instantly with a cold shock, the water immediately shoaking him.
As he opens his eyes, the familiar memories from 70 years ago enter his mind.
Though, he turns, and immediately his mind changes to focusing on Mariya as he sees her floating a few feet away, unconscious.
He kicks hard and gets to her within seconds, seeing immediately what pulled her under so fast. A piece of some underwater plant caught her foot. He yanks hard, and luckily loosens it enough that Mariya's foot frees.
Still, she's unconscious.
He swims to face her, moving her free-floating hair out of the way of her face, before plugging her nose and using a regular CPR type method to get air into her lungs, which seems to reanimate her, she immediately blinking and starting to freak out. He pulls her close, allowing her to realize that he has her, then takes hold of her around the waist, and begins to kick hard to get them both to the surface.
Finally, they break the surface, both immediately taking deep breaths of air when they meet oxygen.
"Are you both ok?!" Momo yells, still standing atop the bolder, holding his haori and his kimono top.
He looks down and inspects Mariya.
Though probably scared out of her wits, she coughs, meaning that she's getting some air into her lungs as she rests her head against him, shaking a bit, maybe even shuttering.
"W-We're fine!" Toshiro yells back.
"T-Toshiro..."
His eyes widen as he looks down at her, and sees something.
Tears.
"Toshiro, I-I thought I was-" Mariya stutters.
"I know, I know, you're fine, calm down. You're ok." Toshiro reassures her, holding her closer as she does her best to calm down.
"Should I go get someone from Squad 4?" Momo calls.
"No, I think she's alright, just a bit frazzled is all." Toshiro answers.
"Do you at least want me to go get her friend Cree?"
He looks down at Mariya, as she still shakes.
...She could help out...
"Yeah, get Cree, Momo!" Toshiro calls.
Momo nods, and runs off, leaving his haori and kimono top on the bolder.
For a few minutes, they just float there, Toshiro holding her close as she slowly begins to shake less and less.
"Mariya..." Toshiro whispers.
She lifts her head and looks up at him, the light in her eyes barely showing.
"Y-Yes?" she answers.
"You don't remember how to swim, do you?" he asks.
She shakes her head.
"I guess everything I knew and learned with you was wiped out with my memories. I feel so hopeless." Mariya answers.
He sighs, before releasing her a bit and moving a bit away, putting her a bit on edge.
"Here, I guess I'll just have to reteach you I guess."
"H-Huh?!" Mariya starts, already beginning to panic.
"Mariya, just stay calm, now, when I let go, just move you're legs calmly back and fourth, and sway your arms to keep above the water. Ok?" Toshiro says.
A little hesitant, Mariya nods.
"Alright, now, I'm right here, so don't worry." Toshiro says, moving farther away.
With caution, Toshiro watches as Mariya does her best to follow his instructions, moving her feet side to side as she keeps herself afloat.
Then he lets go,
At first, she's a little off, bobbing like she was when she first hit the water. Though, within a minute or two, she's nicely floating.
He grins.
"See, you're floating." Toshiro says.
She smiles.
"I am, aren't I?" she says, grinning bigger then he's seen her done since the accident.
"Alright, now, try to swim over to me." Toshiro says.
Mariya's cheeks redden a bit.
"Um, o-ok." she says.
Slowly, her mind seems to think out the steps to the dog-paddle, and soon those of a normal stroke, as she soon is closing in on him. She reaches out, and he grabs her wrist, pulling her into him, causing her to laugh.
"See, you swam there." Toshiro comments.
"You." Mariya says.
He blinks, confused.
"What?" he asks.
"You...you were the one that taught me how to swim." she says.
His eyes widen.
"That day...the first time we came here..." she continues.
Instantly the memory unfolds again, replaying in both of their heads.
JULY 1940
Mariya(69) and Momo(100) drag Toshiro(69) towards Kibou Pond, hoping that because of the cloudy wheather that Toshiro will swim.
"Why did you have to drag me along?" Toshiro groans.
"Because, we wanted you to enjoy yourself for once during summer, besides, the sun isn't out, so you shouldn't be complaining as much." Momo answers.
"Ugh, I don't like heat." Toshiro groans.
"We know that, but once you jump in, you should be fine." Mariya says, before beginning to trail, "...besides...I've been waiting to learn..."
"Huh?" Toshiro asks.
Mariya looks away, embarassed about something.
"What is it Mariya?" Toshiro asks.
"Mari, do you want me to tell him?" Momo asks.
Mariya nods.
"What?" Toshiro asks again, beginning to get irritated.
Momo sighs and looks down at him.
"Mariya doesn't know how to swim." Momo admits.
Toshiro's eyes widen a bit.
"What?" he says.
"She was never taught by her parents, and she's been waiting for you to go with us before she tries to learn how so that you can help her." Momo finishes.
He blinks in surprise, before looking over at her, to she she's blushing more then before, causing him to grin a bit.
"Well, will you teach me?" Mariya asks, still not looking at him, too embarassed.
Suddenly, he feels his own cheeks beginning to redden.
"Uh, yeah, s-sure." he answers.
Immediately, Mariya cheers up, and hugs him.
"Thank you Shiro!" Mariya says.
"Don't call me Shiro!" Toshiro yells as Mariya and Momo laugh.
Soon, they arrive at the pond, to see other kids playing in the water and along the waterfall.
Though, once some spot him, some seem to back off and quiet, whispering to one another.
Mariya notices, and grabs his arm.
"C'mon Toshiro, let's go get in, I wanna start now-" Mariya starts as she begins to pull him down the hill.
"What do you think you're doing?"
The three of them look up to see a boy, maybe a little older then Momo, standing over them as they come to stop by the edge that drops down to the water. He's a bit plump, wearing only what looks like a loin cloth to cover himself, allowing all his fat to show.
"We're here to swim, is all." Momo answers.
"Well, sorry, but we would like to abide by the rules of the pond." the boy says.
"What rules?" Mariya asks.
The boy smirks, before pointing at Toshiro.
"Kids like him are not allowed here." he answers.
"What did you just say?" Mariya yells, now angered.
"You heard me, as long as you're with him, you can't come into the pond." the boy answers, gesturing to where all the kids stand, all out of the pond.
"You don't own the pond, you can't just kick us out!" Momo yells, now standing in front of Mariya and Toshiro.
"He, who do you think you are, little munckin? If you wanna stay, just get rid of Snowflake right next to ya-" the boy starts, staring Momo down.
"His name is Toshiro, and he has just a big as a right as we all do-" Mariya says, stepping in front of both Momo and Toshiro.
"Mari-" Momo starts, concerned.
"Oh look, miss Mari is protecting Snowflake-" the boy starts again as he leans over to get in Mariya's face.
Mariya cracks, and slaps the boy right across the face.
"His name is TOSHIRO, you fat pig!" Mariya snaps, surprising even Toshiro.
In a moment of rage, the boy pushes her with all his might, and infortunately, at the angle she's standing, she goes right over.
"AHHH!" she screams, petrified.
"MARIYA!" Toshiro yells as she falls over the edge, trying to grab her, but missing, then in rage, turning and punching the boy hard, "You dumbASS! She doesn't know how to swim!-"
He stops.
...She doesn't know how to swim....
He whips around and immediately runs to the edge, looking down into the water.
Mariya isn't there.
...No! She's gone under!...
Without much thought, he backs up and takes a running start, and dives head first into the water, immediately for Mariya. Within about 10 seconds, he spots her, her kimono caught in a crack of the bolder. He swims over and takes hold and rips the cloth to get her free. Then, taking her around the waist, he hoists her up to the surface. When they break for air, he takes the first chance he can to breath, though Mariya stays silent.
"Toshiro! Is Mari ok?!" Momo yells from above.
He does what he can to see if she's alright. He puts his hand in front of her nose.
He goes pale.
Nothing was happening.
"M-Momo, she's-" Toshiro starts.
"ACK!"
Toshiro looks down at the sound of the cough, and his eyes widen as he sees Mariya's eyes beginning to blink.
"She's...ok." Toshiro finishes, followed by the sounds of many releaved sighs.
She looks up at him.
"T-Toshiro..." she trails.
He grins solemnly.
"Sorry that your first lesson had to start off so bad." he apologizes.
Without warning, she burst into tears, and buries her face in his now soaked kimono.
Her cries cause his heart to...actually, ache, and he pulls her closer, allowing her to cry as much as she needs to, scared by the near-death experience...
PRESENT
He blinks as he comes back to reality, not believing he had to relive the experience again.
"That boy ran away because he didn't want to be caught if I ended up dying."
He gasps slightly as he looks down to see Mariya still holding on to him, her head resting under his chin.
"You remembered all that..?.." Toshiro asks.
Mariya lifts her head and looks up at him, and grins.
"Yeah." she answers.
He smiles.
"Good, you're gaining back more memories." Toshiro says
She chuckles.
"Not only that..." she comments.
Red raises a bit in his cheeks as she comes closer.
"H-Huh?"
"You are not only bringing back my memories, but you're saving our relationship...you're saving me..and all I ever was...Toshiro." she answers, blushing a bit herself.
"M-Mariya..." Toshiro trails.
Grinning, she places her head back under his chin, the contours of his neck perfectly fitting the shape of her head. Her arms raise to give him a hug around the neck, causing him to blush more.
Though, naturally, he wraps his arms around her waist, causing Mariya to redden.
"You really are my best friend...Toshiro.." Mariya whispers, "I was scared I wouldn't find the same affection to really call you that..I'm happy."
Not answering, Toshiro tightens his grip, letting Mariya know that he agreed, causing her to chuckle.
After about 10 more minutes of floating like that, Toshiro finally brought them to shore.
He takes his own kimono top and throws it to Mariya.
"It may not match, by it's dry, change out of your top into that." Toshiro instructs.
Blushing slightly, she nods and walk a little ways into the forest so she can change in private.
He sighs and leans over to grab his haori.
"Captain Hitsugaya!"
Toshiro's eyes widen as he sees Rikuto running towards him.
"R-Rikuto? What are you doing here?" Toshiro asks.
"I ran into Lieutenant Hinamori, and she told me what happened, is Mariya alright?" Rikuto asks.
"Rikuto?"
Both Rikuto and Toshiro turn to see Mariya walking towards them, changed into Toshiro's top, and holding her soaking one.
"Mariya! You're ok!" Rikuto says as he rushes to Mariya's side, pulling her into a hug.
Toshiro watches as a strange feeling enters his body.
"R-Rikuto, I'm fine, really." Mariya answers, stuttering as she begins to blush.
"Well, c'mon, Lieutenant Hinamori wanted me to take you to Cree as soon as possible." Rikuto says as he secretly guides her off and away from Toshiro.
"O-Oh...alright." she trails.
As Rikuto walks Mariya away, Toshiro sighs.
...oh well...
But, when he looks back at them, his eyes widen in surprise.
She was still watching him, looking back as she was taken away by Rikuto.
He grins, and waves, knowing that she has probably made her descision about her date with Rikuto.
June 27
SOUL SOCIETY
Mariya's Perspective
Wind blasts past her face as she holds onto Toshiro, afraid for her life about what might happen if she releases her grip from his kimono as he flashsteps, cradling her.
"Uh, T-Toshiro?" Mariya stutters.
"Yes?" he answers.
"W-Where are we going? And, w-why are you carrying me?"
"You'll see soon. And as for carrying you..."
Without warning, Toshiro releases his grip, causing her to sherk a bit as she feels herself beginning to fall. But, Toshiro grabs hold of her wrist, and before Mariya knows it, she's on his back, her arms wrapped loosely around his neck.
"Is that better?" he asks.
For unknown reasons to her, she begins to blush.
"Uh, y-yeah. Thanks." she answers.
He chuckles.
"You are definitely more shy now, I'll tell you that." Toshiro comments.
"Sorry! I don't mean to be, I just-" she starts, blushing even more.
"Hey, calm down. It's ok, it's nice to see you act more like this from time to time."
"Oh, ok..."
For the next two minutes, nothing else is said, but it's nice as the wind blows her hair, which is still down because Toshiro took her before she could take back her ribbon.
Soon, she and Toshiro finally stop in the middle of what seems to be a forest.
"What the..." Mariya trails as Toshiro puts her down.
"I'm guessing this place doesn't look familiar, right?" Toshiro asks as he turns to look at her.
She shakes her head.
"Unfortunately, no, sorry." Mariya answers.
"It's alright, just follow me, okay?"
She nods and follows as Toshiro walks towards a open area ahead of them. As they come closer, Mariya questions herself as she starts to hear something.
Water.
As they walk out in the open space, Mariya walks a little farther ahead to a bolder that from afar seems to drop off to nothing, until you look down. Her eyes widen as she looks to see what she heard was indeed water, but actually a whole pond, a small waterfall running into it, then flowing into a small creek at the other end.
"Wow..." Mariya whispers.
"This is Kibou Pond. It's only about 20 minutes away from where we lived when we were younger." Toshiro says as he walks up to stand right next to her, "We used to come here on days like this and swim."
"Days like this? It's cloudy, and you can't see the sun." she points out.
"Exactly. I'm not a big fan of heat or sun, so days like today were the only days I would go out during summer time."
"Doesn't exactly sound like much fun, but I'll take your word for it."
"Hey! Sorry I'm late!" a voice calls from behind them.
Mariya and Toshiro turn to see another young Soul Reaper, probably only a little older then them. She's only about an inch or two taller then Mariya, and her ebony brown hair is pulled back, held in some weird pouch thing, kept back by a draw string, side-swept bangs revealing her big brown eyes.
"Momo, where were you?" Toshiro asks, his tone changed a bit.
"I was talking to Captain Aizen, sorry Shiro." Momo answers, before turning to look at Mariya, "Mari! I haven't seen you in a while!"
"Uh...no, I guess not." Mariya says, before moving closer to Toshiro to whisper in his ear, "Who's she?"
He seems to deflat a bit.
"Mariya, this is Momo, she grew up with us, and is a childhood friend. She's also the lieutenant of Squad 5." Toshiro says, some irritation in my voice, "And my name isn't Shiro, you are to call me Captain Hitsugaya, Momo."
"You don't make me call you Captain." Mariya points out.
"Because you are closer to my age." Toshiro answers.
"Oh..." Mariya trails.
She looks over to see that Momo's expression has faded some.
"You mean you don't remember me either?" Momo asks.
Mariya shakes her head.
"Sorry." Mariya answers.
Momo looks at Toshiro, who seems to give her some gesture.
"Well, that doesn't matter. What matters right now is trying to see if we can help you remember anything." Momo says as she walks to stand with the two of them.
"Like what?" Mariya asks.
"Well, for example, let's see if we can get anything out of Kibou Pond." Momo says as she gestures towards the pond, "We have a lot of memories here from when we were kids, so there's a good possibility you might remember something."
Mariya turns back and looks down into the water.
"I don't remember anything." Mariya says, looking hard into the clear surface of the water.
"Well, it's going to take longer then five seconds, Mari, just think." Momo says, "Think. Um, try to imagine a day kinda like today. You are only about 70 years old, as is Toshiro, and I'm 100. There are a few other kids, but there's enough room for us to do our own thing. Without warning, it begins to rain, and many of the kids run for home, but we stay, and the funniest thing happened."
Mariya kneels, still looking into the water, hoping that Momo's decription brings something up to the surface of her mind.
Nothing.
"I can't remember, Momo." Mariya says.
Momo looks over at Toshiro, hoping he can convey something to her.
"Mariya, you just think about it for a little longer, alright." Toshiro says.
"Oh, a-alright." Mariya answers, before looking back into the pond.
With her knowledge, Mariya hears Toshiro being pulled a little ways by Momo.
"..Toshiro, she doesn't remember anything, what can we do?!-..." Momo whispers.
"..Momo, calm down, just give her some time. She is remembering stuff-.." Toshiro answers.
"...-Like what?! Toshiro, she might be able to remain a Captain if she doesn't get her memory back soon-.."
"...-That's why we're here! Momo, she can remember things, we just have to give her more time then 5 minutes..."
Mariya doesn't hear Momo's response, but they soon come back.
Momo kneels beside Mariya, looking down at the water, overlooking the pond from the bolder.
"You really aren't the same person anymore, Mari..." Momo comments.
Mariya's eyes widen when something clicks as she sees all three of their reflections in the water.
"....You don't own the pond, you can't just kick us out!..."
Momo voice, but younger, yells through her brain, irritated by something.
"...He, who do you think you are, little munckin? If you wanna stay, just get rid of Snowflake right next to ya-"
It's a boy's voice, and just the way it sounds makes her a little irritated.
"His name is Toshiro, and he has just a big as a right as we all do-"
Her eyes widen as she recognizes her own voice.
"Oh look, miss Mari is protecting Snowflake-"
"His name is TOSHIRO, you fat pig!"
It cuts off there.
She stands immediately, causing Toshiro and Momo to blink in surprise.
"Mari, what is it?" Momo asks as she stands.
"I called him a fat pig..." Mariya trails, "But, who was the boy I called a fat pig?..."
Momo's eyes widen.
"Mari! That's right, what happened after that?!" Momo yells as she takes hold of Mariya's shoulders.
Mariya stares at her in surprise.
"I-I don't know-" Mariya answers.
"Oh course you know! Just think!" Momo yells, shaking Mariya.
"No, really, that's all I remember-"
"No it's not!" Momo snaps.
"Momo, she doesn't remember anything else-" Toshiro tries to interject.
"She has to remember, she has to-" Momo starts, shoving Mariya a bit.
Suddenly, as Momo shoves, Mariya looses her footing.
"ACK!" Mariya sherks as she falls over the edge.
"MARIYA!" Toshiro yells.
As she hits the water, the horrible truth traces her mind.
She doesn't remember how to swim...
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Toshiro's Perspective
"MARIYA!" Toshiro yells as he tries to grab Mariya before she falls off the bolder completely.
His hand just misses her.
"Oh no!" Momo yells as she follows Mariya with her eyes, shaking.
"Momo, why did you do that?!" Toshiro snaps.
"I-I didn't mean to!" Momo yells back.
"HA!"
They both look down to see Mariya coming back up to the surface, splashing eractically.
His eyes widen as he notices familiar patterns.
"She doesn't remember.." Toshiro trails.
"What?!" Momo starts.
"-She doesn't remember how to swim!" Toshiro snaps.
Momo's face turns white.
"H-HELP!" Mariya screams.
"Damn it!" Toshiro yells.
Momo blinks in surprise as he hands his haori to her.
"W-What are you doing?-" Momo starts.
"What does it look like? I replaying that day 70 years back!" Toshiro yells, taking off the top part of his kimono so he's bare chest.
He looks down.
Mariya's gone below the surface.
...Damn it! She'll drown!...
"Wh-What?!" Momo yells.
Without delay, Toshiro takes a running start and jumps, aiming directly for the same spot he had last seen Mariya bobbing.
He lands instantly with a cold shock, the water immediately shoaking him.
As he opens his eyes, the familiar memories from 70 years ago enter his mind.
Though, he turns, and immediately his mind changes to focusing on Mariya as he sees her floating a few feet away, unconscious.
He kicks hard and gets to her within seconds, seeing immediately what pulled her under so fast. A piece of some underwater plant caught her foot. He yanks hard, and luckily loosens it enough that Mariya's foot frees.
Still, she's unconscious.
He swims to face her, moving her free-floating hair out of the way of her face, before plugging her nose and using a regular CPR type method to get air into her lungs, which seems to reanimate her, she immediately blinking and starting to freak out. He pulls her close, allowing her to realize that he has her, then takes hold of her around the waist, and begins to kick hard to get them both to the surface.
Finally, they break the surface, both immediately taking deep breaths of air when they meet oxygen.
"Are you both ok?!" Momo yells, still standing atop the bolder, holding his haori and his kimono top.
He looks down and inspects Mariya.
Though probably scared out of her wits, she coughs, meaning that she's getting some air into her lungs as she rests her head against him, shaking a bit, maybe even shuttering.
"W-We're fine!" Toshiro yells back.
"T-Toshiro..."
His eyes widen as he looks down at her, and sees something.
Tears.
"Toshiro, I-I thought I was-" Mariya stutters.
"I know, I know, you're fine, calm down. You're ok." Toshiro reassures her, holding her closer as she does her best to calm down.
"Should I go get someone from Squad 4?" Momo calls.
"No, I think she's alright, just a bit frazzled is all." Toshiro answers.
"Do you at least want me to go get her friend Cree?"
He looks down at Mariya, as she still shakes.
...She could help out...
"Yeah, get Cree, Momo!" Toshiro calls.
Momo nods, and runs off, leaving his haori and kimono top on the bolder.
For a few minutes, they just float there, Toshiro holding her close as she slowly begins to shake less and less.
"Mariya..." Toshiro whispers.
She lifts her head and looks up at him, the light in her eyes barely showing.
"Y-Yes?" she answers.
"You don't remember how to swim, do you?" he asks.
She shakes her head.
"I guess everything I knew and learned with you was wiped out with my memories. I feel so hopeless." Mariya answers.
He sighs, before releasing her a bit and moving a bit away, putting her a bit on edge.
"Here, I guess I'll just have to reteach you I guess."
"H-Huh?!" Mariya starts, already beginning to panic.
"Mariya, just stay calm, now, when I let go, just move you're legs calmly back and fourth, and sway your arms to keep above the water. Ok?" Toshiro says.
A little hesitant, Mariya nods.
"Alright, now, I'm right here, so don't worry." Toshiro says, moving farther away.
With caution, Toshiro watches as Mariya does her best to follow his instructions, moving her feet side to side as she keeps herself afloat.
Then he lets go,
At first, she's a little off, bobbing like she was when she first hit the water. Though, within a minute or two, she's nicely floating.
He grins.
"See, you're floating." Toshiro says.
She smiles.
"I am, aren't I?" she says, grinning bigger then he's seen her done since the accident.
"Alright, now, try to swim over to me." Toshiro says.
Mariya's cheeks redden a bit.
"Um, o-ok." she says.
Slowly, her mind seems to think out the steps to the dog-paddle, and soon those of a normal stroke, as she soon is closing in on him. She reaches out, and he grabs her wrist, pulling her into him, causing her to laugh.
"See, you swam there." Toshiro comments.
"You." Mariya says.
He blinks, confused.
"What?" he asks.
"You...you were the one that taught me how to swim." she says.
His eyes widen.
"That day...the first time we came here..." she continues.
Instantly the memory unfolds again, replaying in both of their heads.
JULY 1940
Mariya(69) and Momo(100) drag Toshiro(69) towards Kibou Pond, hoping that because of the cloudy wheather that Toshiro will swim.
"Why did you have to drag me along?" Toshiro groans.
"Because, we wanted you to enjoy yourself for once during summer, besides, the sun isn't out, so you shouldn't be complaining as much." Momo answers.
"Ugh, I don't like heat." Toshiro groans.
"We know that, but once you jump in, you should be fine." Mariya says, before beginning to trail, "...besides...I've been waiting to learn..."
"Huh?" Toshiro asks.
Mariya looks away, embarassed about something.
"What is it Mariya?" Toshiro asks.
"Mari, do you want me to tell him?" Momo asks.
Mariya nods.
"What?" Toshiro asks again, beginning to get irritated.
Momo sighs and looks down at him.
"Mariya doesn't know how to swim." Momo admits.
Toshiro's eyes widen a bit.
"What?" he says.
"She was never taught by her parents, and she's been waiting for you to go with us before she tries to learn how so that you can help her." Momo finishes.
He blinks in surprise, before looking over at her, to she she's blushing more then before, causing him to grin a bit.
"Well, will you teach me?" Mariya asks, still not looking at him, too embarassed.
Suddenly, he feels his own cheeks beginning to redden.
"Uh, yeah, s-sure." he answers.
Immediately, Mariya cheers up, and hugs him.
"Thank you Shiro!" Mariya says.
"Don't call me Shiro!" Toshiro yells as Mariya and Momo laugh.
Soon, they arrive at the pond, to see other kids playing in the water and along the waterfall.
Though, once some spot him, some seem to back off and quiet, whispering to one another.
Mariya notices, and grabs his arm.
"C'mon Toshiro, let's go get in, I wanna start now-" Mariya starts as she begins to pull him down the hill.
"What do you think you're doing?"
The three of them look up to see a boy, maybe a little older then Momo, standing over them as they come to stop by the edge that drops down to the water. He's a bit plump, wearing only what looks like a loin cloth to cover himself, allowing all his fat to show.
"We're here to swim, is all." Momo answers.
"Well, sorry, but we would like to abide by the rules of the pond." the boy says.
"What rules?" Mariya asks.
The boy smirks, before pointing at Toshiro.
"Kids like him are not allowed here." he answers.
"What did you just say?" Mariya yells, now angered.
"You heard me, as long as you're with him, you can't come into the pond." the boy answers, gesturing to where all the kids stand, all out of the pond.
"You don't own the pond, you can't just kick us out!" Momo yells, now standing in front of Mariya and Toshiro.
"He, who do you think you are, little munckin? If you wanna stay, just get rid of Snowflake right next to ya-" the boy starts, staring Momo down.
"His name is Toshiro, and he has just a big as a right as we all do-" Mariya says, stepping in front of both Momo and Toshiro.
"Mari-" Momo starts, concerned.
"Oh look, miss Mari is protecting Snowflake-" the boy starts again as he leans over to get in Mariya's face.
Mariya cracks, and slaps the boy right across the face.
"His name is TOSHIRO, you fat pig!" Mariya snaps, surprising even Toshiro.
In a moment of rage, the boy pushes her with all his might, and infortunately, at the angle she's standing, she goes right over.
"AHHH!" she screams, petrified.
"MARIYA!" Toshiro yells as she falls over the edge, trying to grab her, but missing, then in rage, turning and punching the boy hard, "You dumbASS! She doesn't know how to swim!-"
He stops.
...She doesn't know how to swim....
He whips around and immediately runs to the edge, looking down into the water.
Mariya isn't there.
...No! She's gone under!...
Without much thought, he backs up and takes a running start, and dives head first into the water, immediately for Mariya. Within about 10 seconds, he spots her, her kimono caught in a crack of the bolder. He swims over and takes hold and rips the cloth to get her free. Then, taking her around the waist, he hoists her up to the surface. When they break for air, he takes the first chance he can to breath, though Mariya stays silent.
"Toshiro! Is Mari ok?!" Momo yells from above.
He does what he can to see if she's alright. He puts his hand in front of her nose.
He goes pale.
Nothing was happening.
"M-Momo, she's-" Toshiro starts.
"ACK!"
Toshiro looks down at the sound of the cough, and his eyes widen as he sees Mariya's eyes beginning to blink.
"She's...ok." Toshiro finishes, followed by the sounds of many releaved sighs.
She looks up at him.
"T-Toshiro..." she trails.
He grins solemnly.
"Sorry that your first lesson had to start off so bad." he apologizes.
Without warning, she burst into tears, and buries her face in his now soaked kimono.
Her cries cause his heart to...actually, ache, and he pulls her closer, allowing her to cry as much as she needs to, scared by the near-death experience...
PRESENT
He blinks as he comes back to reality, not believing he had to relive the experience again.
"That boy ran away because he didn't want to be caught if I ended up dying."
He gasps slightly as he looks down to see Mariya still holding on to him, her head resting under his chin.
"You remembered all that..?.." Toshiro asks.
Mariya lifts her head and looks up at him, and grins.
"Yeah." she answers.
He smiles.
"Good, you're gaining back more memories." Toshiro says
She chuckles.
"Not only that..." she comments.
Red raises a bit in his cheeks as she comes closer.
"H-Huh?"
"You are not only bringing back my memories, but you're saving our relationship...you're saving me..and all I ever was...Toshiro." she answers, blushing a bit herself.
"M-Mariya..." Toshiro trails.
Grinning, she places her head back under his chin, the contours of his neck perfectly fitting the shape of her head. Her arms raise to give him a hug around the neck, causing him to blush more.
Though, naturally, he wraps his arms around her waist, causing Mariya to redden.
"You really are my best friend...Toshiro.." Mariya whispers, "I was scared I wouldn't find the same affection to really call you that..I'm happy."
Not answering, Toshiro tightens his grip, letting Mariya know that he agreed, causing her to chuckle.
After about 10 more minutes of floating like that, Toshiro finally brought them to shore.
He takes his own kimono top and throws it to Mariya.
"It may not match, by it's dry, change out of your top into that." Toshiro instructs.
Blushing slightly, she nods and walk a little ways into the forest so she can change in private.
He sighs and leans over to grab his haori.
"Captain Hitsugaya!"
Toshiro's eyes widen as he sees Rikuto running towards him.
"R-Rikuto? What are you doing here?" Toshiro asks.
"I ran into Lieutenant Hinamori, and she told me what happened, is Mariya alright?" Rikuto asks.
"Rikuto?"
Both Rikuto and Toshiro turn to see Mariya walking towards them, changed into Toshiro's top, and holding her soaking one.
"Mariya! You're ok!" Rikuto says as he rushes to Mariya's side, pulling her into a hug.
Toshiro watches as a strange feeling enters his body.
"R-Rikuto, I'm fine, really." Mariya answers, stuttering as she begins to blush.
"Well, c'mon, Lieutenant Hinamori wanted me to take you to Cree as soon as possible." Rikuto says as he secretly guides her off and away from Toshiro.
"O-Oh...alright." she trails.
As Rikuto walks Mariya away, Toshiro sighs.
...oh well...
But, when he looks back at them, his eyes widen in surprise.
She was still watching him, looking back as she was taken away by Rikuto.
He grins, and waves, knowing that she has probably made her descision about her date with Rikuto.
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