Christmas in the Seireitei

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. All of the characters and their likenesses do not belong to me. I only claim ownership of the storyline.

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As the months had passed Hinamori Momo had gotten her strength back and returned to her normal duties. She had resumed her position as vice-captain of the fifth division, but it wasn't with out hesitation. She had been concerned about the reaction of her fellow shinogami and her relationship with the captain of the tenth division. However with the advice of Unohana- taichou she left the hospital and started to get the division five office back into running order.

When December rolled around and the snow began to fall Momo found herself in a much better mood. A few days before Christmas she has some of the division five members bring a Christmas tree into the office. Up until lately it had just been sitting in the back, but on this Christmas Eve she moved the tree to the front of the office and began to decorate it.

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Over at the Tenth Division office Hitsugaya- taichou had been working on kicking Matsumoto- fukutaichou out of the office and called for an early night.

"Matsumoto, there is no reason to stay tonight, so just go already." The kid captain blurted out as he tried to push the blonde out the front door.

"Taichou, you shouldn't spend Christmas Eve alone." She pouted at him.

"You wouldn't have to worry about that if you weren't still here. Now would you just leave already? Every other day you are looking for a reason to leave early, but the one night I want to leave early, you wont."

"Fine, but you will wish that you had come along."

"I don't think I will, but bye"

"Fine," and with that she bounded her way out the door and over to the third division office to grab Kira- fukutaichou.

With Matsumoto finally out of the office, Hitsugaya was able to finally relax. He had convinced her that there was no reason to decorate the office if she was just going to be out all night and he had no holiday plans. Hitsu was not one for Christmas; the warm feelings made him feel as cold as ice.

Hitsugaya sat behind his desk with the lights off and stared out the window and watched the snow fall. It had been months since he had last spent time with Hinamori- fukutaichou. It had been so hard for him to tell her anything since Aizen- taichou had abandoned her. He would never forgive Aizen for that. He had taken advantage of her feelings for him and her loyalty and that was truly unforgivable.

After sulking in the dark, Hitsu felt the need to clear his head. He looked back out the office widow, out into the seireitei and stood up. Looking out into the distance and he began to mumble to himself.

"I am curious what Momo s up to tonight." With that he moved toward the door, walking dignified out into the snowy night.

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Hitsugaya figured t would look less suspicious if he started at the thirteenth division and made his way to the first. Like any major holiday Ukitaka- taichou was sick but his squad members were being festive. Oh so typical. The kid captain stopped outside the division office in slight amusement, Ukitaka- taichou was no where in sight but there had to be at least three of his squad members tending to each of the four trees outside his office.

"Every year something new with him. For a man who is always sick his squad is always in high sprits."

However the longer he gazed at the trees the more depressed he became. He had suddenly remembered how Kurotsuchi- taichou had been mumbling about how ridiculous Christmas was and how it wasn't worth the time and effort to decorate. But if he knew Nemu- fukutaichou at all he knew that she could convince him to at least let her decorate her desk in the research division. Although he was sure of one thing: that he wasn't going to risk getting wrapped up in one of Kurotsuchi- taichou's long winded rants tonight and kept walking.

Unfortunately the walking led him right into the largest holiday celebration in the Seireitei. It apperared that squad seven had migrated over to the squad eleven office to surprise Yachiro- fukutaichou with presents and a kid-friendly Christmas party. The wolf captain had always had a soft spot for the girl and Kenpachi- taichou could never tell her 'no'. But the scenario was more amusing the than usual.

It appeared that someone, more than likely Yachiro, had convinced Kenpachi to dress up as Santa to bring Yachiro presents. Oh no, it didn't end there. She had managed to get Ikkaku and Yomchika to be reindeer; somehow it wasn't all that surprising to the captain.

"There is just something about that division that just doesn't make sense sometimes. Squad eleven is the most violent but their vice- captain has them all wrapped around her finger and if they don't listen, I guess that's were Kenpachi comes into play." Hitsugaya said to no one. "I wonder what Kyouraku- taichou has done this time."

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"Taichou? Are you awake?"

"Nano- fukutaichou let me sleep."

Thwack, "You can sleep, but not under the tree, at least move to the couch by my desk."

"You should know that I like it under trees better. Why don't you join me?"

Thwack.

"I will take that as a no."

"Some times I wonder about those two. But then again Nano- fukutaichou is a strong girl, she can deal with him." Hitsugaya looked into the window one last time and caught a glimpse of two squad eight members moving their captain out from under the tree. "She definitely has her work cut out for her with that one."

He looked up at the clouded grey sky, tiny snow flakes fell on his face. He was running out of division offices and he knew it. Sooner or later he would have to see Momo, let alone talk to her. But what would he say, how would he start? Just the thought of seeing her face made his stomach knot in nervousness. He couldn't explain this feeling to himself, how would he explain it to her.

He began to pace outside the division eight office, which caught Nano-fukutaichou. She gazed out into the Seireitei as the snowy-haired captain continues to argue with himself. Now why is he out there in the snow this late on Christmas Eve? She turned to her subordinates and told them that she had to step out and left the office.

"You shouldn't be out here this late at night; it looks like your vice- captain is rubbing off on you."

The kid captain jumped, "Nano- fukutaichou you startled me" he said trying desperately to regain his composure. "It's just that I…I… felt the need for a walk."

"Is that so sir, well then you look a bit frustrated. Anything I can help with?"

"No, I don't think so…" and then he stopped. She knows something s wrong but how can I tell anyone. "Maybe you can, but I don't think I can explain it."

"It's about Hinamori Momo, am I right?"

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Author's notes: Well that's a lot to happen on a lonely cold night. Will he tell Nano everything? What does Yachiro get for Christmas? And where did Matsumoto take Kira anyway? The answers to those questions and more will be coming soon.