AN: *nods sagely* I have a soft spot for these two.

"..you're probably poisoning your body
I hope you're alright."

-The pills won't help you now

Ironically, he finds her hiding inside the Tenth Division's archives.

She sits huddled in a corner, her back facing towards him, drowning in her favorite company. The sharp acrid taste of sake permeates the room, its bitter aroma settling in the air like a lingering dream, hazy and warm. He moves silently between the rows of bottles, his lips pulling into tight thin line. A few drops splatter on his feet and he curses lightly, kicking the bottle and instantly wishing he hadn't.

"Taicho?"

Her voice is raspy and there is an unmistakable tone of weariness, of disappointment. Even her face seems tired, stripped of its natural rosy hue and infectious grin, she looks older, a pale and forlorn imitation of his vice-captain.

"What are you doing here, Matsumoto?"

He crosses his arms. His expression is cold and she flinches. He wants to feel repulsed. He should be able to open his mouth and reprimand her, scold her, yell at her until she's sober and drags her lazy self back into the office.

But he can't.

Deep down, he knows that won't solve anything and the ache would only increase.

The blonde sighs and takes another swig, wagging her finger. "That's no good, Taicho. I'm hurt. You can't assume to get us girls to talk so easily." she says calmly, "But you don't understand."

Frowning, he stares at the woman, his face impassive and she chuckles sadly for a moment. "Then again, maybe you do."

He doesn't answer, the uncomfortable silence crushing him in a choke hold until he shuffles closer and closes his fingers around her hands, gently prying the sake from her grasp. When she doesn't resist, he lifts the porcelain bottle and sniffs.

Disgusting.

Immediately she turns her attention to him, her lips parted, her eyes growing wider and wider. "Don't," she breathes.

"I'm not taking a drink," he finally snaps, his patience gone. "I'm throwing these out Matsumoto. It's for your own good. This kind of behavior is completely unfit for a ranked officer of your standing. I expected better of you. "

Then he pauses and his gaze softens. "Let's go back, Matsumoto. You can have the rest of the day off."

He stretches out his hand.

Slowly, the woman stumbles to her feet.

He holds her hand the entire way.