Matsumoto was waiting…
She had been for a rather long time now.
Despite appearances she really was a patient person, but her patience was running dry. He had to know that she loved him, so what was stopping him.
'I mean he's a genius' she thought swirling the drink she held around in the cup until a little spilled over the side.
'Then again Taicho tends to be a bit clueless about things like that.'
She had tried virtually everything to convince him over her ongoing affection for him but perhaps that hadn't been enough. She had tried everything from hugging him to doing paperwork (that hadn't ended so well he had been convinced himself that she was desperately ill and ordered her to the 4th division immediately. Of course she wasn't though she was beginning to think love was a disease after all she was so sick of it screwing her around).
But she hoped it would end up different this time. She knew at least she had fallen in love with a good one this time. Hitsugaya Toshiro was honorably, kind (in his own way) and gorgeous. He had grown, he was quite a bit taller then her and lean his hair cast around even more carelessly in it's own ordered chaos.
He was no longer called short; he was called handsome behind his back (he didn't seem to like people saying that)
Matsumoto didn't really care what height he was she had been in love with him for longer then that. It had started as respect as she watched the man fight so powerful yet kind if he ever had to kill he did it swiftly making it as easy as possible for his victim. Most called the captain cold but she had never understood that he was just distant never cruel.
Matsumoto looked up, he was coming
She looked back out over the water watching the last of the sunrays cast colors over the water.
She waited for the usual remark about her lack of paperwork but it never came… instead
"A year ago today I talked to Kurosaki Ichigo" Matsumoto looked up surprised by her captain's remark
"Taicho?"
Toshiro continued to look out across the water, his face was calm but his eyes seemed indecisive and Matsumoto could see the turmoil raging behind.
" He told me not to leave it too long… I guess this is as long as I can possibly leave it, before it kills me. I waited because I couldn't do what I had to, to ensure your happiness. Matsumoto I'm sorry you had to wait so long, I have realized I am a fool. Whether you return my feelings or not is irrelevant. But you must know… I mean I have to tell you…"
Matsumoto smiled and stood turning towards him resting her head on his chest. She felt him stiffen slightly before he relaxed and wrapped his arms around her.
"Matsumoto, I love you"
She smiled
"I know" she looked up into his eyes
"I love you too"