Raise Thy Sword

Summary: The sequel to Regrets. After a night when unrequited love dies and true love is born, Kira and Matsumoto wish to explore these feelings but one person stands in their way, Ichimaru Gin. A relationship fic in five steps

Parings: Kira Izuru x Matsumoto Rangiku, Hitsugaya Toshirou x Hinamori Momo, past Matsumoto Rangiku x Ichimaru Gin

Step 1: Exploration

The 10th division's 6th seat, Imeura Sheik, got up early in the morning as he was prone to do. He had finished the paperwork that his captain, Hitsugaya Toshirou, had asked him to do last night. So, with the packet of papers under his arm, he set out to find the captain.

His journey had led him to the 10th division's administrative office. Unfortunately for him, neither his captain nor his vice-captain was there at the moment. It was really strange to say the least. Hitsugaya-taichou was known for his punctuality. This would have to be a first for the diminutive captain to be not present.

There were other explanations, of course. Since taking on the load of the 5th division after Aizen's betrayal and Hinamori-fukutaichou's hospitalization, he was usually overloaded with work. Since there was no way that he and Matsumoto-fukutaichou could do the paperwork on their own, the 10th division's 3rd through 7th seats' were required to work with the 5th division's respective seats on the paperwork.

This was the paperwork that was in his hands.

Imuera decided to look for Matsumoto-fukutaichou. Everyone in the 10th division knew that the busty vice-captain was not known for her punctuality. Instead, she was known for her laid back attitude towards everything among other things. Normally, this early in the morning, she would be passed out on the couch. However, an investigation of that same couch proved to be fruitless. This was strange indeed.

Suddenly, he heard a sound. Perking his ears to listen to the sound and ascertain where it was coming from, Imuera hears snoring. The snoring is light, but he can almost tell where it is originating. The snores are coming from the vice-captain's quarters, which was on the opposite side of the administrative office and next to the captain's quarters. These quarters was like a home away from home for those long nights of paperwork. Very gently, the 6th seat tiptoed his way to Matsumoto's room.

He didn't know what compelled him to open the door without knocking. Should he have caught the busty vice-captain undressed, he would have paid for it with his life. However, it would have probably been worth it to see the legendary Matsumoto Rangiku in all of her glory and not confined to the Shinigami outfit that barely did anything to hide it.

Unfortunately for Imuera, that was not to be, as she was still dressed and asleep on her bed. But, there was something else to feast his eyes on.

THERE WAS A MAN IN HER BED.

Imuera could only get a back profile of the guy. He was tall and blond. If only the guy would turn around…

As if to answer his unvoiced request, the unidentified man turned over. A blond lock stuck out from his forehead, like a horn. It was then that Imuera knew exactly who the mysterious guy in Matsumoto-fukutaichou's bed was.

KIRA IZURU

No way, he thought. Kira-fukutaichou and Matsumoto-fukutaichou were in the same bed together??? Was this the byproduct of drinking? What could have happened last night that would have caused this?

It was then that Imuera realized the power that he had at this moment. Since the captain had not arrived yet or at least say something about this, this meant that he was the only one that had this information. He had to tell somebody.

Being very careful not to make a sound, he gently closed the door and tiptoed out of the hallway, making his way back to the 10th division's administrative office. Unfortunately for him, the 10th division captain, Hitsugaya Toshirou was sitting at his desk, preparing the paperwork for the day. The young captain noticed the 6th seat tiptoeing and called him out on it.

"What are you doing in the captain and vice-captain quarters, Imuera?" he deadpanned. Hitsugaya was not in the mood to deal with this.

After unloading his personal worries on the comatose Hinamori, she seemed to respond by shedding a single tear. Hitsugaya was very focused on her, so he caught the tear and kissed it away. If pleading caused her to cry, then perhaps kissing her would wake her.

Although Unohana-taichou left to her quarters for the night, allowing Hitsugaya-taichou to stay for the night, he was very wary of public displays of affection. He would only do this if it was only the two of them. No one else should be allowed to witness their love. It was for them and them alone. However, if it was going to wake up Hinamori, then so be it.

Getting into the bed with her and crouching over her sleeping form, the Ice Dragon bestowed a tender kiss on the Peach's lips. The EKG machine recorded a rapid series of beeps coming from the 5th division vice-captain's heart. It seems as if she was responding and for that, the 10th division captain was grateful.

However, in an instant, that peace was shattered as the girl began to convulse violently. Hitsugaya jumped out of the bed quickly and took her hand. "Please calm down, Momo." He whispered, caressing the back of her hand. "Shirou-chan is here. Shirou-chan will protect you."

It amazed him how he allowed himself to be called Shirou-chan. From the first day that she called him that, he hated it. He was young then, well… younger. He didn't realize how important that particular nickname would come to define him. It was one of many nicknames that he would be given in his life. Among some of the others would be boy genius, brat, ice dragon, and midget. Not that he let any one of those names get to him. However, Shirou-chan was one of a kind. It wasn't so much the name. Ukitake was also a shirou-chan. But it was the person that gave him the name. It was an endearment because the person who called him that signified that Hitsugaya was dear to her. It was only her that would be allowed to call him that because he was her Shirou-chan.

The convulsions stopped after a while. Hitsugaya let go of her hand and placed it on the bed. The captain took to studying her face. It was a face of no worries. Perhaps whatever caused her convulsions had left her, taking away the pain also. There was a flutter of her eyelids like she was trying to open them. Her nose was wrinkled, as if to question why she wasn't able to open her eyes. However, her brow was smooth, as if in total serenity. Hinamori was a lovely paragon of paradoxes: Strong but fragile, mature but innocent, a smile with pain. She was velvet over a steel fist. And he loved her.

Hitsugaya began to caress her face gently tracing out the shape and contours of her cheeks, nose and eyes.

"Shirou-chan" a voice whispered. The captain stood in shock. She was calling out to him. He took her hand again. "Stay with me, please." That was something he would do for her.

Removing the captain's cloak and covering her with it, Hitsugaya once again climbed into bed and held her frail body with his arms. Although he wasn't able to prevent this from happening in the first place, nor was he able to avenge her, he would stay with her and give her some sort of comfort.

The 6th seat looked at his captain with fear. Unless there was a good reason, Hitsugaya-taichou did not allow anyone in his private quarters. This was a measure the short captain put in place to make sure that no one in his division knew that he and Hinamori were in the same room. Such rumors would spread like wildfire.

"Um, I was here to drop off some paperwork from the 5th division." He stammered. "However neither the captain nor the vice-captain was here. Then I heard a noise coming from the vice-captain's room and I went to investigate. It was then I realized that the vice-captain was sleeping and I didn't want to disturb her. Therefore, I left her asleep and was about to leave the paperwork when the captain called me."

Hitsugaya looked at him strangely, asked for the paperwork and told him to leave. Imuera did that with all haste.

It was about 10 o'clock. Time for that lazy Matsumoto to get up. He made his way to her room and opened the door. "Oi, Matsumoto, you have paperwork to do! Get up."

To the young captain's surprise, not one but two people got up. Neither was awake enough to understand that there were caught in an interesting position. Two vice-captains in the same bed…. It didn't matter that they were not undressed. Anyone can now make implications of what they did.

A thought crossed Hitsugaya's mind. Did Imeura see this? That would explain why he was more skittish when he caught the 6th seat. Then that would mean…

Within twenty minutes, all of the 10th division knew that something happened between Matsumoto and Kira. The stories ranged from plausible to absurd. The most plausible explanation was that the two of them got extremely drunk, which they were prone to do sometimes, and fell asleep in the same bed. The most absurd story had something to do with leather, chains, and a banana. Trust me! You don't want to know about that.

Within an hour, all of Sereitei knew about the 'love affair' between Kira and Matsumoto. Hisagi, the 9th division vice-captain, and Iba, the 7th division vice-captain, had locked themselves into seclusion because Matsumoto was taken. Abarai Renji, the 6th division vice-captain, had been looking for his friend to congratulate him on nabbing the well-endowed Matsumoto. The Shinigami Women's Association had been looking for the busty vice-captain to hear the juicy details. But no one could find the two.

If you think that it was bad for them, it was even worse for Hitsugaya. Since the scene of the crime was in the 10th division office, everyone thought it was a good idea to find out how much of this did the young Captain know. Since the scene of the crime was in the 10th division, it would make sense to ask the highest ranking officer on his knowledge of events. It started out innocently enough. The 8th Division Captain Kyouraku Shunsei had some paperwork that he, so conveniently, needed to hand to Hitsugaya.

"So, Toshirou-kun," he began, a smile on his face that could be due to sake, or to the question that he was about to ask.

Annoyance swept over Hitsugaya very quickly. He never did like being called anything but Hitsugaya. However, Kyouraku was his superior and he was due certain respect. So the white-haired captain refrained from doing anything. "What is it, Kyouraku? I have stuff that needs to be done in order that the 5th division can function."

"That's Toshirou-kun for you." The man in the pink robe exclaimed. "Such a hard worker, no wonder they elected him to be a captain."

It was much too early for this. Hitsugaya had no time to deal with this man so early. But unfortunately, it was to continue. "You should really let loose a bit, party even. And you should follow the example of your vice-captain and the 3rd division vice-captain."

Hitsugaya's eyes widened for a second. "What are you implying?" he grounded out.

Kyouraku was unfazed at this. It was just so much fun to tease him about this. "I mean, you should hang out more with other Shinigami. And then, when Momo-chan gets up you can have fun like they did."

Hitsugaya was fuming. He was about to say something when who should show up but the last person he wanted to see right now, his vice-captain Matsumoto Rangiku. She was stretching her body to get out all of the nighttime kinks. However, she was totally oblivious to the looks of Hitsugaya and Kyouraku. Hitsugaya blanched because now he would have to explain why she was just getting up with a look of complete satisfaction on her face. Kyouraku was looking at her, noting the way that she was baring herself without realizing it.

If you think that it couldn't get worse. Well, it did. And this time, it had nothing to do with Matsumoto. It had everything to do with the person that decided to enter at that particular moment. Kira Izuru, the blond vice-captain that Hitsugaya was trying to keep hidden for fear of humiliation, had decided now was the time to sleepily get out of Matsumoto's room and display his presence to the 8th division captain.

There was an evil glint in the sake-driven man's eyes. That is when Hitsugaya Toshirou realized that things were about to get more difficult around the 10th division. "Wow, Toshirou-kun, you've really worked wonders here." Kyouraku had a smile that normally would have been induced by drinking himself drunk. "If I were to bring my lovely Nanao-chan and sleep in Rangiku-san's room, do you think that we could be as worn out as these two?"

That took the cake. Hitsugaya had to watch his words because Kyouraku was his superior, but he wanted the man out. "If you don't have any other business with me, would you please leave me and Matsumoto to do our work?"

Kyouraku shivered theatrically. "So cold, Toshirou-kun. But I guess that's why your zanpakutou is appropriately an ice type."

Hitsugaya pinched his brow in frustration. "Please leave." He grounded out.

Kyouraku finally left, only because his vice captain, Ise Nanao, had come. "Taichou, I believe that we have some work to do. Please come with me."

"Oh, Nanao-chan, look at Rangiku-san and Izuru-san." He sang. "Look at how completely at bliss they are. They were sleeping together last night. Don't you want that satisfaction?" Before the rest of that thought could be completed, a loud whack resounded throughout the 10th division. Nanao, as per her custom when her captain got out of line, smacked him with her heavy tome.

"You have some documents to finish, taichou. Please head over to the division now." Although she spoke it with a calm voice, there was a threat looming over the pink-robed captain.

With a cheery and inebriated smile, the 8th division captain left Hitsugaya's presence, giving the small captain an ounce of relief. Now the 10th division captain can sort out this matter in peace.

Matsumoto's body may be awake, but her mind was still asleep. It was unusual for her to be up this early in the morning. Whenever Hitsugaya needed her up after a night of her drinking, he had developed a trick to get her mind working immediately.

"The drinks are on me." He shouted.

Immediately, like Pavlov's dog, her eyes were open and her tongue waiting for the warm sake to hit her mouth. "Where's the sake?" she clamored expectantly. Upon catching her captain eye her with an annoyed look on her face, the busty vice captain frowned. "That's mean, taichou. I can't believe I fell for it again." Stretching herself one last time, she sat on the couch and looked her captain in the eyes.

Kira, feeling the icy reiatsu that was currently flooding the place, woke up almost immediately and saw that he was in the 10th division's office. Without a clue but watching the young captain pinch his brow, he decided that it would be best to take a seat with Matsumoto.

"I want to know what happened between you two." It wasn't a request. It was an interrogation. In no uncertain terms was he going to be denied.

Matsumoto spoke first. "I don't understand what's the big idea. So Kira and I slept together. What's the big idea?" A giant smirk flittered across her face. "Are you trying to get some pointers for when you and Hinamori-chan take that big leap?"

Kira was shocked at the audacity that his fellow vice-captain was displaying. Did she have no fear? Hitsugaya, as young as he was, was still a captain, more powerful than a vice-captain. She was treading a dangerous line, though he had to admit that the blush/glare that the short captain was giving his vice-captain was pretty funny.

Then the thought hit him. "We slept together?" he cried out. The memories of last night then flooded back to his memories.

The two of them slipped into her bed and Kira hugged her close to him. She seemed to fit into him completely and he was shocked. His arms fit snugly under her breasts. Before he could stop himself, Kira placed a kiss on the back of her neck. "Goodnight, Matsumoto-san. Let's start anew tomorrow."

"Yeah, start anew tomorrow." She echoed.

"But nothing happened." Kira murmured, relieved but perhaps a bit disappointed.

"Well that's not what everybody thinks." Hitsugaya deadpanned.

Matsumoto blinked. "What everybody thinks? What do you mean?"

"You were caught sleeping by one of the seated officers who blabbed his mouth to everyone and now all of Seireitei believes that you and Kira slept together." Hitsugaya would have continued had not a hell butterfly perched on his shoulders, whispering in his ear news from the 4th division.

"I am heading to the 4th division now. You guys better settle this mess. I am not covering for you." With that, the 10th division captain flash stepped out of the office.

Kira's jaw dropped at the revelation. "People think that we slept together?

Matsumoto, although shocked at this revelation, thought Kira's reaction to the situation was funny. So she decided to tease him about it. "Are you saying that you don't want to sleep with me?" she ribbed.

Kira was stunned at the way that Matsumoto was taking it. "But, Matsumoto-san…"

"Are you saying that you don't want to kiss these luscious lips, explore the valley between my breasts, and take me to the point that I would scream your name in pleasure?"

Poor Kira was being assaulted with images of those acts. He really couldn't respond to these blunt questions because of the thoughts they were giving him … and they weren't pure. The interesting part was that he really liked where this train of thought was leading him.

From all of his days when he had a crush on Hinamori, he couldn't remember ever having thought wanton thoughts about her. The most decadent thing he thought of doing to her was kissing her on her forehead. That's it. But with Matsumoto, he could actually see himself in a relationship with her. He could see himself going through the stages of a relationship with her, even to the point of lovemaking and marriage. Perhaps something like this should be explored.

"How about I give you the first of these wishes?" Matsumoto whispered in a sensual manner. Stalking up to him in his confused and interested state, she wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed him soundly.

The woman tasted of booze and rice cakes, both of which he loved. Kira also could feel his desire for this woman grow more with each second that passed. He was feeling a little heady from the kiss.

When they parted, Kira was breathing erratically. Since when was a kiss so electrifying that he couldn't even breathe right? His heart was also beating irregularly. The blond wanted more. In fact, after that kiss, it wasn't even a want anymore. Kira needed Matsumoto. He needed her just like the air he needed to breathe.

Matsumoto smiled. "That's stage one. I bet you can't wait for stage two." With that, she flash stepped to go to the bath quarters.

Kira was left alone in the 10th division administrative office. Only one question was on his mind. Did Matsumoto feel the same way?

Perhaps the busty vice-captain was using Kira in order to get rid of the pain that Ichimaru left behind. If so, he wanted no part in that relationship. However, just getting up and having no cognitive facilities after that kiss, the 3rd division vice-captain had no intentions of thinking it over right now. There would be time to think later. Right now, he had paperwork to complete in his own administrative office.

Hitsugaya was in Unohana's office in two minutes after hearing the news, sitting across from where Unohana's desk was. Although he wore his unfazed countenance, the truth was he was overjoyed; it even showed in his reiatsu. Hinamori is awake.

The highest ranking healer wore a placid smile as she walked into her office. "I see that you got the message." She stated serenely. Hitsugaya nodded, allowing her to continue. "She has been out for about a week, so, as a result, she is disoriented about many things. We are doing our best to bring her up to speed with how she sustained her injuries and everything that has happened in this week."

"Does she know that it was Aizen that did this to her?" the 10th division captain asked. "She needs to see that it was her former captain, the man that she idolized, that did this to her."

"As of right now, it is indicative that we reintegrate her slowly." The woman responded. "Losing a week is really detrimental to someone's psyche. All information concerning the events prior to Aizen's betrayal have to be given to her piecemeal so as not to strain her mental stability. As for most coma patients, the biggest concern is relapse. This is something we want to avoid."

Hitsugaya nodded. Unohana was right. It would be best to slowly give Hinamori information. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"Yes! Her body has been fed nutrients through an IV saline line. Her body has probably gotten used to the change. She needs to watch her diet, leaning towards foods that are more nutritious." Unohana's face then turned grim. "There is one last thing that you need to know about. She may have convulsions due to repressed memories."

The ice-green eyes of Hitsugaya Toshirou steeled over. However, the braided woman continued. "We are not sure yet because she had just woken up, however, there may be trigger words that could cause a convulsion. Should this happen, immediately call the 4th division for help."

"Thank you, Unohana-taichou." Hitsugaya breathed a sigh of relief. Even with the convulsions and the repression, it was really good that he was given all of the information and none of it was sugarcoated. It was better this way.

"I am assuming that Hinamori-fukutaichou will be in your care?" There was a tiny twinkle of merriment in her eye. She could just imagine the gossip that this will cause in the 4th division. Brave and courageous Hitsugaya will take care of sweet and vulnerable Hinamori. So cute! She caught his nod of affirmation and gave him some release forms to fill out. "I will bring her into the office."

Hitsugaya was left to think. Hinamori, his precious peach, was being afflicted by demons, one specifically that wore glasses and one that wore a false smile. He couldn't fathom what she must be going through right now but he wanted to save her from pain and suffering. It was the reason that he had this power. He was her Shirou-chan and, dammit, he was going to protect her.

When it came down to telling her who did this to her, the young captain had no problem giving out piecemeal. Aizen was her hero, her ideal in terms of strength, virtue and mannerism. Even though he was her boyfriend and even though she told him time and time again that she loved him and only him, Hitsugaya still felt the need to compete with the former captain.

His musings were cut short by the arrival of one Hinamori Momo, accompanied by Unohana-taichou.

Hitsugaya rose to his feet. Even completely exhausted and disoriented, Hinamori had the ability to take his breath away. She was just that special. He would never say it out loud, but, as Matsumoto flippantly commented, she had him wrapped around her little finger. Hitsugaya would kill for her (Please let me kill for you). Something that grew out of a childish infatuation became true love.

Hinamori looked at her boyfriend with tired eyes. "Hitsugaya-kun…" she greeted. Hinamori was aware of the fact that he did not like showing affection in public. She had to agree with his logic. What happened between them was nobody else's business.

"Hinamori!" He responded. "You're awake."

"Yeah! Thank you for staying with me last night." It was in these little moments that she knew that Toshirou, her Shirou-chan, really cared.

Unohana, although she was very happy with their reunion, had to break up the sweetness. "If all of the paperwork is done, you can take Hinamori-fukutaichou with you, Hitsugaya-taichou."

Nodding once, Hitsugaya took Hinamori by the hand and they walked out of the 4th division together.

Matsumoto was in the bath house's hot spring when Kotetsu Kiyone, the 13th division's 3rd seat, joined her. Kiyone was looking for Matsumoto because the Shinigami Women's Association had heard rumors that Matsumoto and Kira-san were an item. "I heard the gossip about you and Kira, Matsumoto-san." She began.

Matsumoto looked unfazed. "What about it?" she asked.

"Is it true that you and Kira-san are going out?" The blond 3rd seat wanted to know because she was going to report her findings to the SWA.

The busty woman sighed and looked up with a somber look on his face. "Well, that's up to him."

Abarai Renji did not like being a messenger. To him, that was something a lower seat should be responsible. However, today was an exception. When Kuchiki-taichou had a report that needed to be signed by the 3rd division's acting captain, Renji jumped on the chance to talk to Kira about what happened. He wanted to know whether the rumors were true.

Renji ran with the forms that needed to be signed, his red man flowing in the wind. He arrived at the 3rd division's office in record time and found his friend in the administrative office, working on papers.

"Yo, Kira." The 6th division vice-captain greeted.

"Abarai-kun, what are you doing here?" the blond asked. He was hoping that Abarai-kun was looking for information on the rumors. He had already received jealous looks from the male population, as if he was taking away something that didn't belong to him.

"I have some forms from my captain that you need to sign." Renji responded. Kira was about to sigh a breath of relief when he caught his friend's wide grin. "And I wanted to find about the rumor."

The blond took the paper a little indignantly. "You want to know the truth." He started to raise his voice, irritated with the whole proceedings. "We slept together; nothing happened. End of story!"

"Jeez, you don't have to be so defensive." Renji waved his hands in order to calm his friend down. "I just wanted to know the truth."

"I am just so tired of men looking at me evilly because I slept in the same bed with the most well-endowed woman in all of Seireitei." Kira calmed down. "I want to find the person that started this rumor and hurt him for creating a wildfire."

Renji patted Kira on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it. Such rumors will die within a week or so." There was something else on his mind. "But I have to ask you: do you like Rangiku-san?"

Kira had already thought on that. "There's no easy answer. As a person, yes, I like her. But as a lover, I am not sure." And it was true.

On the way to the office, he realized that, without intention, he was living in the shadow of someone else in Matsumoto's life. Even if she liked him back, there was just one obstacle in his way. He needed to remove this obstacle from his and Matsumoto's life and he would be able to have her all to himself. Then he could love her in the way that she deserves to be loved. His name: Ichimaru Gin.

That's the first chapter. For all of you Gin x Rangiku fans, I am not sure that you are going to like this. He will make an appearance but not until later in the fic, probably around chapter four or five. This will most focus on Izuru and Rangiku, but there will be some Hitsu/Hina love in here. Hope you all like it. If you do, review. If you don't, please don't flame.