(no subject)
Cat Fights
The remainder of their break in the living world in June passed smoothly enough. Even their return to Seireitei was not as chaotic as they expected. Maybe Kyoraku and Ukitake could keep their mouths shut after all. So, Hitsugaya figured, when, on an unusually rainy day in July, the rumors and all caught up to him, he should have seen it coming.
“Are you serious? You mean he refuses to sleep with her unless they’re in the living world?”
“Well, I heard that it’s because she doesn’t want to sleep with him cause he’s too short, if ya know what I mean.”
“Oh, yeah? Someone told me that a friend told them that another friend heard that they’ve had ‘private parties’ with Kyoraku taicho and Ise fukutaicho, and even Ukitake soutaicho and Soifon taicho.”
“Private parties? What’s so special about that?”
“Obviously they’re using that as an excuse for an orgy or something.”
Hitsugaya actually took a moment of his busy schedule to stop and bang his head lightly against a wall in the covered corridor of the fifth division. Maybe if they were remotely close to true, the rumors wouldn’t be so bad. And where the hell did they get their information from anyway? He stepped up behind the small group of shinigami and cleared his throat loudly, calling attention to himself.
Each of the four turned to face him and froze in shock. The two women had the decency to look embarrassed about being caught.
“I understand that there will forever be speculation and rumors, no matter how untrue or utterly stupid,” Hitsugaya began, “but you would be doing yourselves a favor to start spreading things that might be a little more likely, don’t you agree?” he looked each of the shinigami in the eyes, glaring furiously. Hyourinmaru yowled with laughter inside his head.
“Our sincerest apologies, Hitsugaya taicho,” one of the two men declared, bowing low and casting his eyes downward. “I was telling my friends here just moments ago that they should refrain from speaking such things.”
“Is that so?” Hitsugaya raised a skeptical brow, “That certainly explains why you were the person declaring that Rangiku and I prefer - what was the term? - oh, yes, ‘private parties’ with Kyoraku taicho and Ise fukutaicho, as well as, didn’t you say, Ukitake soutaicho and Soifon taicho?”
The man flushed in shame and begged forgiveness. Hitsugaya placed a hand on Hyourinmaru’s hilt, unsheathing the sword ever so slightly. “I suggest you find some other topic of conversation to speak on presently and in the future. Otherwise, I will not hesitate to use Hyourinmaru.”
With Hitsugaya’s threat the group of shinigami scattered more quickly than the blades of Senbonzakura. He would be forced to speak to Abarai again, this time about his subordinates. If he wasn't dating Hinamori, who’d never forgive him, Hitsugaya would just kill Abarai and make a display of him. Too bad that was also illegal.
oOoOo
“Oh, Ichigo, help it out! The poor thing’s lucky it hasn’t drowned,” Rukia cried, tugging on Ichigo’s sleeve and pointing to a shallow grate in the road. Ichigo sighed, knowing he wouldn’t win this battle. Rukia may be ruthless in her treatment of him sometimes, but she had such a soft spot for helpless animals that she wouldn’t hesitate to beat Ichigo to a bloody pulp if he didn’t help it out.
He tried anyway. “Rukia, you know we can’t keep it. Only officers tenth seat and above are allowed to have pets,” Ichigo explained to his suddenly very tearful wife.
Rukia sniffled a few times, answering, “I know. We’ll just have to find someone to take care of him. But, Ichigo, we have to help. I can’t just walk away from the poor thing. It is just a baby, after all.”
“Alright, as long as you know we can’t keep it. We’ll have to find a home for it straightway.” Ichigo bent down, and using a small burst of reiatsu, which he’d finally learned to manifest this way, forced a larger space between the grates. After the kitten finally regarded Ichigo with some trust, he was able to pluck the wet, dirty animal from the drain and handed it to Rukia. She beamed up at him and he rolled his eyes teasingly.
“You know, if we find him a home quickly enough, there’s still time for a break for extra-curricular activities before the lunch hour is up,” Rukia stated slyly, putting a bit of emphasis on ‘extra-curricular’ and looking hungrily to Ichigo. Despite it all, everything he’d been through with the woman, Ichigo blushed.
“The things I do for love,” Ichigo mumbled as he and Rukia set out on their way to find the tiny animal a new home.
Rukia scoffed lightly, “Ha, more like the things you do for sex.”
A pause, and then a cry of, “Hey, that’s not true!”
oOoOo
Hitsugaya knew something bad, if not terrible would happen today. And the rumors were only the beginning.
Matsumoto begrudgingly got up from her spot on the sofa to answer the rapid knocking on the office door. She’d been having such a nice daydream, too. However, her unhappy mood turned quickly to elated when she opened the door and Rukia presented her a kitten.
“Rangiku-chan, she needs a home. And, since we aren’t allowed to keep her, I thought who could be better to care for her than the wielder of Haineko? Seeing as, technically, they are both cats,” Rukia explained, eyes pleading, when Matsumoto inquired just why she was giving her a kitten.
“That works for me,” Matsumoto chirped happily.
“Are you sure it’s okay with Hitsugaya-kun?” Rukia asked nervously.
Ichigo, feeling a tiny bit left out, chimed in, “It’ll be something else they can add to their kid-raising training. It’ll be a lot like taking care of a kid, after all.”
“It will! At least this should be much easier. And you’re just too cute,” she told the kitten, “But, are you a he or a she?”
“It’s a girl. All the babies are girls…” Ichigo whined.
“Ah, I wonder if Haineko will let me share her name? You certainly do look a lot like her, all sweet and grey and soft. Except she’s bigger than you, by a lot,” Matsumoto carried on over the kitten.
“You’re absolutely sure Hitsugaya-kun won’t kill us for this?” Rukia asked again.
“It’s my office, too. And my home, sort of. So, who cares?” she laughingly assured Rukia.
Rukia and Ichigo took their leave, for their extra-curricular activities, of course, and exactly six minutes and thirty-seven seconds later Hitsugaya walked in the door. And exactly four seconds after that, he walked up to his desk to find a kitten sleeping in his chair.
“Matsumoto!” he cried out in frustration. Just what he needed, an animal to add to his already horrible day. And it was dirty, and now so was his seat. “What is this?” he pointed to the kitten.
“It’s a kitten, Toshiro. Surely you knew that?” Matsumoto replied, appearing in the door of the kitchen with a saucer of milk.
“I know that, Rangiku,” Hitsugaya tried to control his temper, “I mean, what is it doing here?”
“Rukia and Ichigo found it, and since they can’t have pets, Rukia asked me to take care of her. Haineko likes her, and even agreed to share her name. I decided to call her Futsuka(1), though, so I don’t have to explain which one I’m talking to.”
Hitsugaya put a hand over his eyes, wondering why life couldn’t let him have just one peaceful day. Not even finding the strength to argue, and knowing he’d lose anyway, he just gave up early in the game. “Fine. Just get her cleaned up. She’s getting my chair dirty.”
“Oh, but Toshiro, she like’s daddy’s chair,” Matsumoto pouted, Hitsugaya felt ready to cry. His day just could not get any worse, could it?
“Ran, please. At least clean her up. She’s getting everything dirty,” Hitsugaya pleaded with Matsumoto, who set the milk dish on the floor, scooped the kitten from Hitsugaya’s chair and placed her by the dish, and then clutched onto Hitsugaya in a tight hug.
“Don’t worry, Toshiro. I’ll get her cleaned up and all as soon as she’s been fed. Poor thing’s nearly starved to death. Come with me to take her to Unohana?” Matsumoto asked, releasing a half-heartedly struggling Hitsugaya from her grip.
“Sure. But, why Unohana?” a confused Hitsugaya agreed.
“Well, I’m just guessing, but since she’s a doctor, she’s bound to know something about animals, too, isn’t she? And, I don’t want to make Komamura think I’m just, you know, stereotyping him,” biting her lip, Matsumoto took on a shy, almost embarrassed appearance.
Hitsugaya actually chuckled at the scene before him. It was such a rare occasion to see Matsumoto embarrassed, much less shy, that he simply couldn’t help himself. “That sounds like a feasible explanation to me.”
“Great, let’s go see Unohana!” with that, Hitsugaya found himself being drug out the door before he could protest, a dirty kitten hastily thrown into his grasp.
oOoOo
One visit to Unohana later, in which she referred Matsumoto to Komamura, who seemed to be pleased and incredibly knowledgeable about cats, the kitten was cleaned, fed, and happily purring in Matsumoto’s lap. Matsumoto drifted off to sleep, being very comfortable in her spot on the sofa, the stroking of her new kitty lulling her to unconsciousness. The kitten, however, noticing the unconscious state of her human companion, decided she would like to play and leapt gracefully from Matsumoto to the floor.
Hitsugaya twitched an eyebrow, squinting his eyes at the cat. Not knowing that if you dislike felines you should never squint, as that is a sign of companionship and affection, he grew increasingly irritated as she squinted back and sauntered up to him(2). She mewed at his feet for a few moments, begging for attention and play. When he ignored her, she proceeded to use his leg as a ladder, digging her tiny, sharp claws into his flesh as she quickly scaled her way to his lap.
Hitsugaya let out a sharp yelp of pain and tried vainly to shake her off. He glowered, his cold stare enough to freeze any one of his subordinates (excepting Matsumoto) in place, when she finally landed in his lap. She settled herself quickly, purring softly and kneading her paws in the flesh of his legs. Hitsugaya gave another yelp, effectively waking Matsumoto from her nap.
Matsumoto sat up quickly, looking about for the cause of the commotion and mumbling something about not remembering where she left Haineko.
“Matsumoto!” Hitsugaya called, trying to gain her attention and focus.
“I know I left Haineko beside my desk, and Futsuka was on my lap, asleep, and then…”
“Rangiku!” Hitsugaya tried again. Still no good. Then, “Silence yourself, that is an order!” After another three seconds Matsumoto finally settled down and focused on the situation.
“Ah, Toshiro!” Matsumoto cooed. Hitsugaya looked pissed at being referred to so informally in his already unhappy state. Matsumoto, feeling she held every right to call him however she saw fit, ignored this. Of course. “Toshiro, she likes you! See, she’s already decided she wants to be your friend,” she turned to the kitten, “Yes! She likes her new daddy, doesn’t she?”
To say Hitsugaya looked terrified would be an understatement. The prospect of actual children still unnerved him to some degree, and being referred to as anyone’s (or in this case anything’s) father-figure just pushed that notion over the top.
Matsumoto mistook his fear for anger and grew a bit angry herself. “Fine,” she huffed, scooping the kitten up in her arms, “I’ll take her out. I’m sorry she bothered you, Taicho, I’ll be sure to not let her do it again.” With that Matsumoto stormed from the office, still seething.
“Wait, Ran, that’s not-” Hitsugaya called after her, but she either refused to listen or didn’t hear. Hitsugaya’s only thought was, I’m fucked, aren’t I? To which Hyourinmaru agreed with a hearty snicker.
Matsumoto knew Hitsugaya could be harsh like that, she even knew that he likely didn’t mean it, and he was just pissed to have a cat digging her claws into his legs. She knew that didn’t exactly feel good, either. But, she also knew that he had no reason to be quite so mean about it. And to cap it all, he’d gotten even further upset when she called him Toshiro. For heaven’s sake, they were going to be married. She thought she had a right to call him that.
If he decided he wanted to see her again for at least a few days, he’d better be prepared to do some begging and a hell of a lot of apologizing. Of course, her own hormones this time of the month weren’t helping things.
Matsumoto made her way, Futsuka clutching tightly to her shoulder, languidly walking toward the eighth division. Kyoraku could always be counted on to have a drink ready whenever she had a problem, and Ise always provided good company. It had been nearly a week since she’d left Hitsugaya’s side long enough to visit her friends and she felt that, in light of recent events, there was indeed no time like the present.
“Nanao, Shun-kun!” Matsumoto called out as she approached the eighth’s office door. Not receiving a response, she let herself in, taking the unlocked door and no response as anything but a warning. She squealed in delight when she walked in and almost caused poor Futsuka to fall from her shoulder in her excitement.
Ise sat up sharply, freezing in her spot and blushing madly, while Kyoraku blushed a bit himself but laughed it off. “Nanao, I never knew you were brave enough to let Shun-kun do that in the office! Oh, I am one proud nee-chan, now!” Matsumoto cooed, talking, of course, about finding the others lip-locked on the sofa, a very masculine hand slid beneath a very feminine top, and she would bet her life that she heard Ise making those sounds.
Ise was indignantly spluttering, vainly trying to salvage her dignity. She settled for the less draining, “Rangiku!”
“Yare, Nanao-chan, I’d bet it’s nothing she hasn’t been guilty of herself,” Kyoraku commented, making Matsumoto blush a bit herself, “Besides, if I ever happen across my young protégé in such a position, I intend to commend him on a job well done.” He laughed but stopped abruptly when Matsumoto’s face turned to a frown. “Yare, my dear Ran-chan, whatever could be wrong? Will Hitsugaya-kun still not please you properly?”
Matsumoto sulked as she took a seat beside the still entwined couple on the sofa. “Hardly, but that has nothing to do with it.”
Ise smiled, bemusement showing on her face. Though horribly mean, and something she would never think to say aloud, some small part of her was glad to have someone experience her usual frustrations, consisting primarily of an uncooperative taicho. She forced the thought from her head, and tried to comfort her friend. She ought to repay the favor. “Rangiku, what’s wrong? And where did you find a kitten?”
“Rukia and Ichigo brought Futsuka to me, and now Taicho,” she said Hitsugaya’s title with the same vehemence she used earlier, “is mad at me, because she dug her claws into his lap before she fell asleep.” Ise and Kyoraku shared a knowing look, realizing that from years of experience Matsumoto only referred to Hitsugaya in such a manner when she was very upset.
“Rangiku-san, I’m sure he didn’t mean anything. He’s been especially busy of late, all of us have, what with the special reports and everything for inventory, and the new graduates coming from the academy. Perhaps he’s just been under so much stress he just snapped,” Kyoraku reasoned.
“Well, he didn’t have to get so upset over it. I didn’t realize he hated animals so much. If he would have ever said something, I would have sent Rukia on to Kiyone or someone…” Matsumoto returned to sulking, crossing her arms whilst Futsuka made herself comfortable in Ise’s lap. Futsuka obviously enjoyed being scratched behind her ears. “If that wasn’t enough, he got upset when I called him Toshiro.”
“Would you like a drink to calm your nerves, Ran-chan?” Kyoraku offered. For once Ise did not object to their drinking, and even accepted a small sip of Kyoraku’s drink.
It was not long before another problem arose. Ise suddenly began sneezing, her eyes watering and nose running slightly. “Oh, no. I think I’m allergic to your kitty, Rangiku,” she deduced. She handed the kitten back to Matsumoto and quickly exited to wash her face and hands. When she returned, her allergies under control, Kyoraku and Matsumoto teased her lightly. Ise scowled in her defense, but did not protest much as it brought Matsumoto back into a happier mood.
As the afternoon settled into evening, Matsumoto stood, stretching. “Nanao, will you stay with me tonight? I promise to lock Futsuka up in the bathroom or somewhere,” Matsumoto pleaded her case.
Both women laughing at the unhappy look on Kyoraku’s face, Ise agreed and they set out for Hitsugaya’s flat. Matsumoto needed to gather her things before he made it home.
When Hitsugaya walked in the door of his apartment, he noticed a few things amiss. Not that he hadn’t expected it, but it still made his bad mood worse. Matsumoto had obviously come and gone, not long before, and taken her pillows and most of the clothing she had there. As he settled into the bath, trying to think of how to get out of this situation, he even noticed most of her toiletries missing. Judging by the state of things, she would be gone for at least a few days if he didn’t do something.
Where in Seireitei do I even begin? Hitsugaya asked, hoping for an answer from Hyourinmaru.
He sighed in short-lived relief when the zanpakuto answered. ‘I have no idea, Master. What do humans normally do?’
Flowers and dinner, maybe? Hitsugaya thought, not really sure what direction to take on this. What do you do?
‘I don’t piss off my girlfriend, that’s what I do. But, I have good news, Toshiro,’ Hyourinmaru chimed a few minutes later, ‘Haineko has agreed to help us, on account that this is your first offence of such degree, and she finds you quite favorable over Rangiku’s other prospects. I shall return in a moment, with her advice.’
Hitsugaya soaked in the tub, mind wandering and stumbling across a past conversation with his zanpakuto. Could Hyourinmaru see his body as it was now, naked in the tub? And, even if Unohana (thanks to those damned physicals) and Hyourinmaru both assured him he was… developed, what would Matsumoto think when she saw him? Just thinking on this made him blush, and when Hyourinmaru announced his presence, the dragon had a great laugh at Hitsugaya’s expense.
When the dragon calmed down, and Hitsugaya’s blush fully receded, Hyourinmaru began dispensing Haineko’s advice.
‘Well, Toshiro, she says to think about something, maybe like a gift. Then, basically, just to apologize for whatever you’ve done,’ Hyourinmaru left off, quite unhappy with the conclusion.
But, what did I do, exactly, Hyourinmaru? Hitsugaya asked, terror setting in.
‘I have no idea. But, Haineko also said to not expect her back in your home until she is finished being angry. That should only take a couple of days, but may last for a couple of weeks. Haineko also suggests you hurry and speak with Rangiku,’ Hyourinmaru laughed a bit as he finished his lesson, ‘Apparently Haineko does not enjoy living with her unhappy wielder.’
Hitsugaya smiled ruefully, still pondering what to do next. Maybe he should ask Ichigo for advice? He seemed to always be in trouble with Rukia.
Matsumoto and Ise retired for the evening, acting like the teenagers they still, in many regards, were. Meaning that after they were dressed for bed, Matsumoto launched a pillow at Ise, and the pillow fight began. Just as Matsumoto was about to swing the winning blow, Ise found an opening and started the tickle war. When the two women rid themselves of their desire to play silly sleepover games, almost completely, Matsumoto decided a game of Truth or Dare was in order.
What began as Truth or Dare turned into mostly just a game of Truth, with Nanao being the prime target. Matsumoto discovered many unknowns about her friend, from the way Kyoraku insisted the bathroom toiletries be organized to how often her favorite friends had been walked in on while kissing (or more) on the job.
“There was once that Juushiro-san walked into the office. He actually tried to turn around and walk out; thought we didn’t notice. We weren’t really doing anything, just kissing,” said a pink-faced Ise, “But he had the decency to act embarrassed, unlike you.” Ise scolded her friend lightly, laughing. “I honestly try to stop him when we’re at the office, but I just can’t, especially when he does that thing with his tongue right here,” Ise, pink still tingeing her features, pointed to a spot behind her ear.
Matsumoto had the time of her life finding embarrassing details about her best friend, even Matsumoto didn’t have that many stories to tell yet. As long as it was fairly tidy and in the appropriate room, Hitsugaya really didn’t care the order it was in. Surprisingly enough. Really, that had been the only demand he had when she moved in. She was even allowed free reign to decorate as she saw fit, as long as she didn’t go overboard with anything.
The two ladies drifted off to sleep around midnight, finally talking themselves into slumber.
Hitsugaya did not sleep well that night. He missed the ever-present Matsumoto. It seemed years since she last stayed in her own rooms, and quite frankly, he did not like it. So, when he only managed a few hours of restless sleep that night, and gave up trying around four of the morning, he had more than enough time to make himself presentable and brood over what he would do to make it up to her. He didn’t quite find it fair. Of all the times he had been angry with her, he never stormed out of the room, silently threatening not to return.
He knew it involved the kitten, but for the life of him did not know how.
He set out as soon as the shops started opening, and, using Matsumoto’s previous work ethics as a model, figured that he had at least a few hours before she’d show in the office. If she showed.
oOoOo
Ise finally convinced Matsumoto to show up for work around eleven. They decided to ask Kiyone to watch the kitten for at least the next day or two, seeing as it was causing such a conflict with Matsumoto’s love life. Naturally, Ise and Matsumoto were both incredibly surprised to see that Hitsugaya was missing from the office when they walked in. Grimacing as she got a good look at all the paperwork already piled up because of the apparent absence of her taicho, Matsumoto decided to sit down and actually work for a bit. She wanted to get her work done so that she could leave early and spend the evening with Ise and Kyoraku. Maybe tomorrow she’d feel like talking to Hitsugaya.
“Nanao,” Matsumoto began, biting her lip, “Would you help me for a bit?” Matsumoto looked nervous and embarrassed at asking her friend for help with the paperwork, but she really did want to get it finished quickly, and even if Hitsugaya did show, there was so much that he’d be there until very late finishing. Angry or not, Matsumoto still worried when he stayed too late at the office, especially working on paperwork.
Ise chuckled softly, shaking her head amusedly. “I suppose so. But, are you sure you aren’t sick? I mean, you’re actually willing to do the paperwork for once?” Ise asked in disbelief.
“Oh, shut up,” Matsumoto replied, feigning hurt, “I just want to get out of here as soon as possible. And I’m still worried about his health, you know? Paperwork, especially in this quantity, isn’t good for him.”
A few more playful banters later and the two women sat together on the sofa, going over the first half of the completed work.
“You know what, Nanao? Having someone to chat with makes this a lot less dull and boring. We should do this more often,” Matsumoto stated, interrupting a moment of silence. Ise contemplated the idea and actually agreed.
“It is. But don’t you talk with Hitsugaya taicho? I mean, I talk with Shunsui when he’s around,” Ise mused.
“I do, usually. Except I do most of the talking. It’s so hard to get him to loosen up sometimes. But, still, it’s nice to have another woman to share my conversation with. ‘Specially when she can relate to this time of the month,” Matsumoto said, laughing as Ise’s cheeks and ears pinked slightly.
Moments later, a slightly blushing Hitsugaya, who had the misfortune of overhearing the last of the conversation, arrived in the office, carrying a small, beribboned box.
“Hitsugaya taicho,” Ise greeted, smiling politely. Hitsugaya nodded to her in greeting.
Matsumoto greeted him with a stiff, “Taicho,” and returned to her work. Hitsugaya thought he might faint at seeing the woman willingly work, but decided not to say anything.
Hitsugaya sat himself behind his desk, and when Matsumoto continued to not say anything to him, and only converse with Ise, he decided it was ‘now or never.’ Nervously he cleared his throat, looking apologetically to Ise, and asked, “Um, Ise fukutaicho, may I have a moment with… Matsumoto?”
“Of course, Hitsugaya taicho,” Ise responded, bowing herself out of the room. Matsumoto continued with the cold shoulder.
Hitsugaya cautiously approached his fukutaicho, not sure how to handle the situation. He decided to present his small gift first, then beg forgiveness second. Yes, he decided as well, this was so unfair there should be a law against it. “Matsumoto…”
“You can still call me Rangiku, it’s not like I’m leaving you or something. Though you don’t share the sentiment, you can always call me Rangiku,” came the cold response.
“What do you mean I ‘don’t share the same sentiment’?” Hitsugaya asked, highly confused.
“Well, you got angrier yesterday when I called you Toshiro,” Matsumoto shrugged, still speaking with that same tone to her voice.
“Oh… Damn. I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean that. I didn’t even realize,” Hitsugaya’s eyes begged Matsumoto to understand. She relented enough for him to finish. “Rangiku, it’s not much, but I really am sorry. Here,” he handed her the box, the contents rattling some as it was moved, “I didn’t mean to insult you or your cat, it just didn’t help that yesterday was terrible without the little demon digging her claws in my flesh. You should have heard the rumors this group of fools was talking about.” He sighed in exasperation, shaking his head in disbelief.
Matsumoto eyed the box in her lap, deciding if she was finished being angry or not. Finally she decided she would take a peak at the box’s contents before making up her mind. She gently pulled the ribbon off of the box and opened the lid. With one glance inside she made up her mind to not be upset about the cat issue. She was still angry with the name thing, though.
Inside the box sat two small dishes, just the right size for a kitten to have food and water in, along with a bright pink collar, equipped with bell, and a few small toys, designed for cats. She smiled happily. Hitsugaya had picked out some of the best things. Instead of flowers or something she didn’t need, he showed his acceptance, however reluctant it might be, of her new companion.
“Are you sure?” she asked skeptically, mouth setting into a stern line and eyes hardened. Hitsugaya nodded, silently pleading with her with his eyes. “Alright then.” She still did not look entirely happy but brightened a bit, even managing another small smile.
In order to lighten the mood, Hitsugaya suggested they go out for dinner.
While out, Hyourinmaru cut into Hitsugaya’s conversation, saying, ‘Looks like we know who wears the pants in this relationship, eh?’
Shut up. Besides, it sounded to me like Haineko is the one wearing the pants in yours, Hitsugaya threw back to his zanpakuto.
‘We don’t wear pants, Toshiro,’ Hyourinmaru teased back, just as caustic.
Technically, neither do we. And, if Rangiku wants to be the one ‘in charge,’ so be it.
‘Ooooh, so the master likes being dominated?’
“What? I never said I liked being dominated!” Hitsugaya spoke loudly, causing a few people around their table to look at him strangely. He cradled his head in his hand, embarrassed and grimacing, “Remind me to hold conversations with my zanpakuto when I’m alone next time, please Rangiku.” Matsumoto, sitting across the table from him, thought she might die from lack of oxygen thanks to laughing so hard.
oOoOo
As the work day was drawing to a close, Matsumoto stood from her napping position on the sofa, where Futsuka once again lay resting comfortably on her abdomen. She placed the kitten back on the sofa and strode over to where Hitsugaya sat, still in his chair at his desk. She pretended to think about what she was going to do next, and Hitsugaya’s mouth dropped open, indignant, when she shoved a stack of papers out of the way. At least they didn’t land in the floor.
Matsumoto placed herself in Hitsugaya’s lap, effectively straddling him in the chair. He looked a bit fearful of her momentarily, but when she leant forward and touched their noses together, those irrational fears flew out the window.
“Toshiro,” she said, capturing his mouth in a quick, firm kiss, “We’ve been invited to a party tonight,” another kiss. “Well, sort of. I’ve been invited, but I’m sure Shun-kun would love to see his little protégé show, since he claims to have a few more ‘pointers’ to give you.” A third kiss, this one longer, using her tongue to sweep over his lips teasingly. “Point is, I want you to go with me,” she pouted. “I promise Nanao and I won’t let Shun-kun get too carried away.”
Instead of responding verbally, he clutched his arms tightly around her waist, pulling her closer and initiating a fourth kiss. They played with one another, each stealing the other’s breath at every opportunity, Hitsugaya very nearly willing to give in to the hints she seemed to be dropping at every second of the day. Before he had the chance, though, she pulled away, leaving a few small love marks along his collarbone. She rested in his lap a moment before she made a move to sit on his desk.
The very much now disappointed Hitsugaya was a bit surprised, however, when she crossed her arms over her stomach, and wincing in apparent pain, nearly doubled over for a few moments. She bent over so far the longest strands of her hair touched the floor. He quickly grew concerned and rushed to her side, not having the faintest idea what could be wrong. (Idly, he thought that this was probably for the best, as it served to be an excellent mood-killer.)
“Ran, are you okay?” he queried nervously, “I knew you must be sick when you didn’t even try to get out of doing the paperwork. Should I take you to fourth? Or would you rather go home and lie down? You can even use my pillow. Not that you don’t already, anyway, but I’ll even let you drool on it if you want…” Hitsugaya continued on in this manner for a few more moments before Matsumoto chuckled softly and sat back up.
“Really, Toshiro, I’m fine. Just a small stomachache. The intensity only lasts for a few seconds, usually,” she said laughingly. A look of relief half-way washed over his features.
“Are you sure? You really looked like you were in terrible pain. You’re sure you don’t want to rest?”
Poor Toshiro, so much to learn… Matsumoto thought. Haineko purred in excitement.
‘Ooh, and what is the plan for today’s lesson?’ the Ash Cat asked in return.
You’ll see, Matsumoto told her before she abruptly stood up and walked to the bathroom door.
“Where are you going? If you’re going to be sick I’ll come hold your hair back for you,” Hitsugaya told her, concern still showing heavily on his features.
“I have to reload, and I don’t think you want to watch me, Taicho. Really,” she told him, smiling in amusement. Realizing she really would be okay, he turned his look of concern into confusion.
“Reload? What are you reloading? In the washroom, no less?” he asked, feeling a bit miffed.
Matsumoto retrieved a small, cylindrical object from her robes, shrugging the slightest bit before showing it to him. It took him a moment to realize he still didn’t understand the woman. He shook his head, vaguely showing this fact.
She laughed again, and decided to educate him. “Tampons,” was all she said, but the dawning realization on his face would forever have a place in her mind.
As she disappeared into the washroom, she laughed, leaving a very embarrassed and very much blushing Hitsugaya to stand gaping at her back.
“Damned woman,” he grumped to himself. A knock sounded at the door, and he made his way to answer it. Outside stood Ise and clinging to her a well-on-his-way-to-inebriated Kyoraku. Hitsugaya smiled, just barely, and stood to the side to grant them entrance.
“You know, Hitsugaya-kun,” Kyoraku started the moment he was settled on the sofa, attempting to pull Ise down with him, “I know something you should try that’ll have Ran-chan forgiving you and begging for more in a matter of minutes.” Kyoraku waggled his eyebrows suggestively as he made his declaration, “Works on Nanao-chan every time.” Ise rolled her eyes and leant her head back as if casting up a silent prayer to the heavens.
About that time Matsumoto reappeared, saving him from impending doom. After a short discussion of what, when, where, and how, Matsumoto declared that she and Hitsugaya needed to take their new ‘child’ home and would find the other couple in the eighth division offices afterward.
Luckily, Hitsugaya did not suffer too much embarrassment that night. And his virtue remained intact for the duration. Futsuka, however, threatened to drive the poor, young taicho insane. She was worse than a child, demanding attention at any and all hours of the night and day. If Matsumoto weren’t already so attached to the cat, he’d have set her outside. With food and water, of course.
Now, if he could find a way to stop the thing from sleeping on his head at night…
oOoOo--RN--oOoOo
Notes -
(1): Futsuka means second. At least from what I have determined.
(2): This is very true. When cats squint (or squeeze their eyes shut) or wink, it is a display of affection. Think of it as something similar to saying “I love you,” or, less dramatically, giving you a hug or friendly kiss. This, accompanied by food, is an easy, though often time consuming, and friendlier way to tame a feral cat (only recommended for feral house cats, lol). Is it obvious that I’m a cat person? Don’t get me wrong, I like dogs, too. There are just too many flaws that are a turn-off for me with them, though. Hehehe…