Warning: This is a FemNaru crossoverfic. Thanks.
OooOoOooO
"Sophistication" – Chapter 1
When Matsumoto arrived in front of her captain's office, she winced a little at the upcoming lecture and rants about her tardiness to work yesterday.
She had skipped work to hang out with Renji.
It's not like the paperwork was too much.
Yes, her traitorous mind supplied. It was the sole reason for your absence.
Besides, it's not like her to waste free sake.
Surely, due to some cosmic divine intervention, Hitsugaya-taicho would understand.
Nodding to herself and grabbing the doorknob of what surely is her imminent doom, Matsumoto entered the office with a sheepish excuse at the tip of her tongue. But found it impossible to say anything at the sight of an empty office.
Her brows furrowed in thought.
'…that's strange, usually taicho is here before sunrise…' She realized with a start.
Now she suddenly felt guilty in leaving her captain to handle all the necessary paperwork and the entire division to himself.
Approaching her desk, Matsumoto was further surprised to see that her paperwork had also been finished in record time.
She was extremely sure that she had to get her grumpy captain something nice now.
'Sake…?'
The strawberry blonde shook her head.
Her captain would only yell at her for that.
She plopped down on the couch located at the far side of their office, stretching languidly like a large cat. Relief at the momentary escape from the inevitable even for a short amount of time, besides, there's absolutely nothing wrong in taking advantage of it.
A short nap would suffice while she waits for–
"Matsumoto!"
–her captain who suddenly barged into the office.
Said lieutenant fell off the couch at the loud voice.
The strawberry blonde woman opened her eyes, only to pull back hastily at the sudden proximity of her captain's face, mere centimetres away from hers.
"T-Taicho?" She stumbled over her words.
The white haired boy just straightened as he tapped his foot, a severe impatient expression on his normally stoic face.
"Just checking if you're still awake."
Matsumoto's jaw dropped as he nodded to himself, as if satisfied.
Without waiting for her to get back to reality, Toushiro snatched a sake bottle hidden underneath the couch. One of his lieutenant's stash, no doubt.
Suddenly fearing for the fate of her sake, Matsumoto stood up immediately, excuse once again at the tip of her tongue before she came here. But was left speechless as the white haired captain brought the bottle to his desk, bringing out two sake dishes.
Pouring for himself, he eyed his stupefied lieutenant with a smirk.
"Come on, sake's more good between two people anyway." He commented nonchalantly, drinking the liquor with relish.
Toushiro sighed and leaned back on his chair.
Matsumoto just eyed him as if he just told her the pigs are flying.
"Matsumoto! What are you waiting for? Do you want me to drag your ass here or kick you out of the office?" He demanded with a frown. "You're beginning to look like an idiot just gaping there, fukutaicho."
When the woman still just stood there, his face morphed with worry.
"Hey, are you okay?" Toushiro asked tentatively, pouring sake once more into his dish.
"Taicho?"
The white haired boy exhaled exasperatedly.
"What, Matsumoto?" Chugging down the sake with a pleasurable sigh.
"You're Hitsugaya-taicho?"
Scowling, he asked. "Now what's that supposed to mean?" His teal eyes glowing an icy blue eerily.
Gulping, Matsumoto realized that the person in front of her is really Hitsugaya Toushiro.
"Did you hit your head, taicho?"
She ignored the way amusement flitted in those – once again – teal orbs. She was sure that she wasn't dreaming, Haineko's purring presence was still present and the reiatsu of her captain was just right, but seriously, she hadn't left for more than a day…
He laughed at that.
Matsumoto was surprised, it sounded so carefree, open, and unlike the hesitant ones under his breath.
"I'm perfectly fine, Matsumoto. Your concern is duly noted." He reassured her with a smile and the woman was inclined to believe that smiles suited her captain more than his usual scowls.
But that is where the anomaly begins, Hitsugaya-taicho never smiled at her.
Or at least, directly.
"Did something happen yesterday?"
Her question was valid, what if something did happen to make her captain react this way?
He halted his drinking and eyed her oddly.
"Matsumoto, you're asking a lot of questions today." He stated with an arched eyebrow.
"Did something happen?" She pressed insistently.
He shook his head with a faint smirk.
"Nope, just boring paperwork… which reminds me," He paused dramatically with a knowing smirk. "You're absent, and late." He deadpanned with a fierce gleam in his eye.
That gleam made his lieutenant step back.
It wasn't the usual ire that made the boy yell at her, but more dark and it terrified her.
"Taicho, you're acting very, very weird." She finally admitted.
Toushiro looked at her with a surprise expression, and then smirked again in that infuriatingly knowing way.
'…what the? Where did that come from?…' She wondered.
"In a good way or bad way?"
His question sounded curious as he leaned forward with obvious anticipation.
Taken aback, it took her a few while to answer.
"…uhm, well, it's just… not right you know." She started, searching for the right words. "You not yelling and serious and all, just so unlike you taicho." She quoted with a confused frown, hiding her embarrassed blush with a huff.
Matsumoto idly wondered what kind of person would like to receive her captain's ire just to have a sense of normalcy, is that even normal?
He smothered the laughter from breaking out, the woman could tell from his shaking shoulders.
"So, you enjoyed being yelled at?" He asked slowly, as if afraid that if he spoke too fast, he won't be able to stop the laughter threatening to break out.
Her face scrunched up with indignation. "What? No!"
"So what's wrong? The sake's not bad, you know?"
To make his point, Toushiro drank the rest of his dish's contents.
If possible, Matsumoto boggled.
"Did Momo-chan turn you down, taicho?" She tried again, although this time a lot gentler.
Both of his eyebrows raised, amusement etched on his face.
"Now why would you think that?" He beckoned her to continue, now interested beyond belief.
"Well… it's the only reason I see for you to be depressed enough to drink sake." She explained sheepishly, idly rubbing her forearms lazily out of habit.
Toushiro let a few snickers escape his mouth before looking at his lieutenant with some sort of pity.
He almost grinned. "Matsumoto, are you sure you didn't hit your head?"
The strawberry blonde woman pouted.
"Very sure, taicho." She nodded vigorously. "So, did she?"
Toushiro shook his head.
"No, considering I hadn't asked anything of her in the first place." His lieutenant wasn't sure if she just imagined the dark lilt almost bitter tone of that statement.
She raised an eyebrow, what was wrong with her captain?
Looking at him, he's the one drinking her sake right now.
Which for the record, she wasn't sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing.
Her captain confuses her.
"Besides," The white haired captain drawled with a contemplative look on his face, right hand idly twirling the sake dish with distracted focus. "I doubt my girlfriend would appreciate that sentiment, the bitch is rather possessive with her properties, get me?"
He smiled and his eyes took on a rather nostalgic tone if a bit of mild fondness mixed with amusement.
It was a relaxed expression Matsumoto never saw on Toushiro's face, even at Hinamori Momo's presence or name. And it was strange. Very so.
Until his statement finally caught up to her.
'…wait? Did he just say…?'
"Girlfriend?" Matsumoto squawked disbelievingly.
Really, even if her captain has the looks and the brains, very few people are immune to his cold and sarcastic attitude. And to hear him speak so warmly of someone, that had to be true. Even Momo hadn't pulled that reaction out of him.
He's just so relaxed and dare she say it, almost at peace.
Toushiro smirked at her, a certain vulpine quality into it.
"Oh yes, and a first class bitch too. I'm sure she'll love to meet you." He commented with a sadistic glint in his eyes.
That statement finally pierced through his lieutenant.
And she just fainted.
The white haired boy immediately scampered to Matsumoto. Worried. And a little bit too cheerful than necessary.
He didn't suppress the grin this time.
"Wow," He said almost breathlessly, "I think I broke her."
Then he chuckled.
It really is odd to see her for who knows how many times at this same day.
But he's glad she never changed.
To amuse him, that is.
– OooOoOooO –
"Let us get this straight, Hitsugaya-taicho. You are retiring from your responsibilities as a captain – only been in that rank for twenty-eight years – and petition to us a contract of free reign in the world of the living with the use of the old law giving some leniency to a captain. According to the law, the captain should have been in the service of Seireitei and Goteijusantai for at least more than five decades as a captain and seated officer. You have been in service for almost six decades, I believe?"
The booming voice of one of the council members asked, out of politeness than to really question.
But Toushiro nodded anyways.
"Yes, I have served Seireitei and Goteijusantai for fifty-seven years, ten months and twelve days." He answered monotonously, face blank as he stood straight and proud in front of the council.
The other members nodded too, impressed because for someone of his supposed age, that is considered a high contribution.
"But do you agree with the conditions of this contract you are signing for, boy?" One of the men sneered, trying to be intimidating.
But Toushiro just gave a soft answer of "Hai." In response.
One of them cleared his throat to read said conditions. "There are three conditions, taicho. First: You are to at least act as another eye in the world of the living, reporting back to Seireitei anything that is deemed inconspicuous. Second: you are to still act as is asked of your former duty – a Shinigami – should there be no others around the area to perform otherwise. And lastly, the third: in case of war-emergency situations, we are allowed to call you back for you to take your position as a captain once again. Are all the conditions understood?"
"Hai." He answered resolutely, firm in his decision.
"Should one of these conditions are violated, the punishment would either be demotion should you be brought back, years of imprisonment, and worst, execution. Do you understand, Hitsugaya-taicho?" One of them pressed with a serious voice.
Toushiro just nodded wordlessly.
He had known the consequences before he even announced the law to the council to plead his case. Those old fools hadn't even been aware of such rule until they had to search for it underneath the vast space of their hidden library for five hours and had called him in.
Some had resented him for that. Upstaging them, he was sure.
It was one of the rules granted to a captain during the ruling era of the Royal Family when they are still part of the governing body of Seireitei. If a captain had been in the service for five decades, they are allowed to take an outside job as a mercenary patrol in the world of the living disguised as a "vacation".
Of course they no longer have the backing of an entire squad when they needed help but they are also given the independence to do as they pleased as long as they do not cross the laws of Seireitei to the point of violation.
Unfortunately, very few seemed to know of that law. And if they did, no word got out.
And it's not like many people achieves the rank of a captain. So very few are given this leniency of freedom so many thirst for.
Sadly though, the Central 46 had made him promise to keep this law a secret to himself as they don't want the other captains going off one by one.
And Toushiro doubted that they'd wanted to had they known.
If he had known about it the first time around, he was sure that he would only scoff at it and return to his duties. Because these captains are loyal to the Shinigami ruling body to even think of it, not him.
Not this time around anyway.
Or those other times around, he wasn't sure. Whatever. Really, he's more than that.
"You are to surrender your haori to the Soutaicho after you sign the contract. After that, you will be given the necessary equipment given to a typical Shinigami on a mission. And the rest will be up to you from there."
Wordlessly, Toushiro approached the giant scroll and signed with his blood on the parchment.
Noting that he had only been the third to go through with this.
There is no limitation for how long he can stay outside, but that would have to end if a war comes looming in.
Oh, he's sure there would be one alright.
He'd seen it too many times to care. Not that he's heartless, but the mindless conflict just got too old after so many times.
After that, he bowed and exited the chambers.
Time to get ready.
'…the bitch would be furious, three days is kind of long…'
He smirked.
– OooOoOooO –
"What's this I hear about you leaving, Hitsugaya-taicho?" Shunsui asked playfully as the white haired boy entered the captain's chambers, not really believing the rumors.
The tenth division captain paused and then shrugged.
"Exactly as it says."
Surprise fleeted through the other eight captains – particularly Aizen – except for Yamamoto who had been there during the signing of the contract, Komamura Saijin, Kenpachi Zaraki, and Kuchiki Byakuya for reason that has yet to be provided.
"What-? But- I mean, what about your division?" Ukitake inquired a little desperately, as if finding ways to change the boy's mind.
Toushiro smirked.
"They can handle themselves. Besides, it'll teach Matsumoto some humility and responsibility." He answered amusedly as he stood in front of the stoic figure of the Soutaicho.
After meeting Kurama – the nine tailed fox – the fierce and intimidating gaze of the Soutaicho seemed so insignificant. The demon was just an embodiment of hate and dislikes everyone equally so. Except his container, but Toushiro was fairly sure that the demon would vehemently deny that fact.
Kenpachi snorted, "Eh? Leave 'im be, the boy has guts. And stupidly brave to go with this. So why the hell not?" The man grinned predatorily.
Toushiro never figured out Kenpachi Zaraki no matter how many encounters he had with the man.
Despite the brash idiocy, there's something dark lying beneath those eyes… intelligence and unaccounted observation most would be too pressured to see.
Then the white haired boy raised an eyebrow at Gin's widening grin.
"Oh? Is the duties too much for the little taicho?" The silver haired man teased.
If this were the first time around where he hadn't intimately known his girlfriend whose teasing is a lot more sadistic and downright embarrassing, Toushiro would have been riled up like before.
But he just gave a one shouldered shrug.
"Whatever fancies your thoughts, Ichimaru."
Nonchalantly replying without looking at said man and started to remove his haori, though a little bit difficult as he had to detach Hyourinmaru first.
He noted Gin's surprise look with sadistic glee that he ruthlessly squashed.
"Though I would like to think that this is a bit sudden, Hitsugaya-taicho." Unohana pointed out with a frown.
Tousen found it as an opportunity to voice his own thoughts. "Yes, I find it surprising myself that you would retire so early. You have only been in the rank for less than a century." He commented with a curious voice.
The only ones who remained silent were Soi Fon, Kurotsuchi Mayuri as he didn't care (and the sentiment is mutual), Kuchiki Byakuya, Komamura Saijin, and Sousuke Aizen.
He looked at the other captains with an unreadable face.
Before a smirk broke out.
"Well, curiosity killed the cat, right? But if it will satisfy you with some answers, let's just say I have many stops to look out for." He said cryptically, which didn't really satisfy their curiosity as it only fuelled it.
Shunsui frowned. "That didn't answer anything, Hitsugaya-taicho."
"Can you at least tell us where you are headed, Toushiro?" Ukitake asked again, voice filled with worry.
But Toushiro just sighed.
"That's up to me now."
Then he turned back to the Soutaicho with serious gaze, handing the old man his haori who graciously accepted it.
"'May your blessed soul find its way,'" Yamamoto quoted quietly, slated grey eyes on Toushiro's teal ones.
The boy didn't disappoint and kept eye contact.
"'And the journey I shall embark will be within the lost and the grieving.'" The tenth division captain replied just as quietly.
It was an oath between Shinigamis that he will come back.
Someday, that is.
He then walked out of the suddenly silent chambers without a backward glance.
Seireitei isn't his responsibility now.
– OooOoOooO –
"I'm very sure, Matsumoto. You'll do a good job in my place." Toushiro reassured as he awkwardly patted his now former lieutenant's head.
Matsumoto fought the urge to scream.
Her captain just doesn't get it.
He's done a much better job than she could ever hope to achieve. Even for a child.
"Taicho! Why are you leaving us? You're just abandoning us, just like this?" She asked desperately, blinking back the stinging wetness in her eyes.
He turned to look at her with his habitual cold, serious look when she mentioned something particularly stupid.
But it doesn't mean she will understand.
Not for his sake when he's leaving them.
"Being a captain isn't just about bankai and leading a division, Matsumoto. You have the entire expectations of Seireitei sitting on your shoulders, you are their first line of protection as they see fit. You are their armor and sword at the same time. But let's face it, I don't qualify for the job. I may have been excellent and strong, but I lack the passion for the job. Obligations are what held me in the first place, but duty isn't what I want my life to be all about."
He averted his teal eyes away from her.
Then a wry smirk appeared on his lips.
"Tch, what I'm really saying is I suddenly realized that I love my freedom." At the woman's blank look, he scowled. "It's addicting, Matsumoto. Whether alive or dead, I discovered that it's something I'm going to keep to myself." He finished as he stretched his arms above his head.
"But… what about us?"
Toushiro shook his head with forlorn.
"I'm not your master, Matsumoto. You could establish a common ground for yourselves and function well without me."
The strawberry blonde woman looked away from her captain.
She already saw that spark.
Something that told her nothing would change his mind.
"Besides, I'll be back during war situations to take over again. You just won't see me for a very long time, I guess." The former captain shrugged indifferently.
Then Matsumoto finally saw it.
That glint in his eyes whenever her captain had achieved something he had worked so hard for.
Just like the time when he had been assigned as the Captain of the Tenth Division.
Finally, she understood.
She just didn't want to accept it.
And never wanted to witness it.
Yet she's glad that he became her captain and taught her that there are some things beyond what you want to see.
Matsumoto finally acknowledged him.
"Just…" She almost faltered, but took a deep breath to strengthen her resolve. "…take care, ne, taicho? And that we'll see each other again?"
Before he could utter a word, she had pulled his face to hug him.
She frowned.
'Is it just me or is he… taller? Or had his nose always been that close to my shoulder?…'
Shaking her off with a glare, he backed a step.
Toushiro just nodded before walking into the Seikamon, idly waving a hand back.
"Just don't lose your head, fukutaicho."
She sent his back an odd look
Suddenly feeling lightheaded.
– OooOoOooO –
"So, it's really true, eh?"
Matsumoto heard Gin as he plopped down beside her in the bar.
She sighed.
The silver haired man isn't the first person to confront her about Hitsugaya Toushiro's retirement.
Kira had fallen over in shock while Shuuhei had simply sputtered.
Though by far, Renji's reaction was the funniest.
Matsumoto just wished that his jaw could be repaired into working again.
"Yeah, Hitsugaya-taicho really left. I was the only one he allowed to see him off." She informed as she massaged her temples.
"Oh? What did he say?" Gin pressed.
The blonde looked at her hands.
"That he's not up for the job when I know it's not true. I tried to talk him into staying but he's stubborn in his own way, and I already know there's nothing that could change his mind." She sighed tiredly.
Gin hummed in agreement, the image of those determined teal orbs coming into mind.
"Not even a message he wanted delivered? Or last requests?" He asked curiously, he knew Toushiro had a penchant to leave last orders in his absences.
Just shows how uptight and in need of a life the kid is.
Personally, Gin thought this was really a good opportunity for the white haired boy. If only a bit haste.
"Nothing." She grumbled. "It's weird, Gin. He didn't even ask for Momo-chan. Well, I know that she's in a mission somewhere in Rukongai during that time but he didn't even ask about her. At first, I thought they had a fight that made taicho leave. But Momo-chan ran crying to me a while ago when she came back on why taicho just left without saying goodbye to her. She said they didn't have any fight and they last met on amicable terms."
She slumped, confused and drained.
Gin stroked his chin in thought.
He had heard Aizen complaining about his distressed lieutenant.
Most captains knew of Momo's soft spot in Toushiro's heart. So Matsumoto made a valid point.
"Oh yes, he's acting odd, ain't he Ran-chan? He didn't even really react to my teasing." He pouted at that.
If there's one thing he loved, it was seeing Hitsugaya lost his cool.
The brat had been too condescending about his duties. Always finding time to reprimand Gin about his less than appropriate job.
So it was only fair game.
"Yeah, he even said he has a girlfriend Gin! A girlfriend! Not that I don't have any confidence in taicho, but…" She made hand gestures to make her point.
But slouched in defeat.
"…you know what I mean."
"Oh? Really?" Now he is really interested. "Did he say a name? And are you sure he's not making it up?" He asked eagerly, mentally grinning like a loon.
Matsumoto shook her head.
"No, he wouldn't tell me. I know it's true, he just gets this serene look when he speaks of her. Not even when he spoke of Momo-chan did he get like that! I'm so confused on why he left."
'I just really hope it wasn't because of me.' She thought miserably.
Gin chuckled.
Then he let a sardonic smile cross his face.
"You're awfully close to him, ne, Ran-chan?" He questioned suddenly, effectively stirring her away from the real subject.
She looked at him bewilderedly.
"Of course, we're close! He's my captain!" She exclaimed indignantly.
The man noted that she didn't even mention that Toushiro was her captain.
"You underestimate yourself, Ran-chan." He shook his head.
And he suddenly felt so tired.
"It's more than you think, you just don't see it the way I do, Rangiku."
That got his friend's attention, it was rare for him to use her whole first name.
He stood up, feeling frustrated but he forced a smile.
"I need to go back, Kira wouldn't really appreciate it if I left all the paperwork to him." He tried to joke, but knew it would only do so little.
She smiled at him. "Yeah, see you later." A melancholic glint sparked in her eyes.
He just nodded.
'She doesn't even see that she's too close to him. Am I really losing her?'
And disappeared with a shunpo.
– OooOoOooO –
He breathed in fresh air as he stepped out of the Seikamon.
Toushiro let a smile touched his lips.
"I know you're there, Naruko. Stop hiding like it's actually working." He deadpanned at the tall post.
For a moment, there was only silence.
But he just kept an eye on the same spot.
"Maa, no fair!"
A blonde haired teenager jumped down from the post, pouting. Her blonde hair was long that it reaches the back of her thighs while she dutifully clipped a fringe to the left side of her forehead. Azure blue eyes stared at Toushiro petulantly. Tanned skin with whisker-like marks on each cheeks. Dressed in a tight yet manoeuvrable burgundy dress that extends down to her mid-thigh. And brown rubber flats on her feet.
She's not really tall for her age. But she has slender legs mainly used for speed. And a rather respectable bust at the age of fifteen – or looked fifteen.
Her skin has a soft pinkish hue in them and has a delicate face.
As Toushiro moved forward, he encased her in a hug.
'Matsumoto should have been able to tell that I am taller. Reishi manipulation is a pain in the ass.' He thought wryly.
They stood roughly the same height.
But for the white haired boy, that was enough.
"Oi, teme. What the hell took you so long?"
And she just had to ruin the moment. 'Now where was I?' He thought sarcastically.
As they released the hug, the white haired boy eyed her disgruntledly.
"You're the one who wanted this trip to be squeaky clean, dumbass!" He hissed with a vein throbbing on his forehead. "I had to take the Captaincy Lunar Right to the council to make a legal exit. And just like those other times, they have no idea what it is unless I insisted they should have known of it."
He glared at her innocent face that he didn't buy even for a second.
She huffed as she crossed her arms.
"What have I told you every time you call me a dumbass, teme?" She raised a patronizing eyebrow.
Toushiro wondered how many hours she had spent in front of the mirror just to perfect that.
He grunted.
"You really are a bitch, you know that?" He stated it more than questioned, really.
At this, she grinned widely.
"Oh yeah! But in case you've forgotten, I'm your bitch, teme. Ahahahahaha!" She crooned as she laughed viciously.
Instantly, he knew that this would be a headache.
- OooOoOooO -
'Oh… for the love of…'
He groaned helplessly, slapping a hand on his forehead.
Teal eyes glared at the beaming face of his companion, a wide grin on her face.
"You are, of course, kidding me." He told her flatly.
She just blinked at him, a picture of innocent bewilderment on her face.
"Should you be really surprise, teme? I mean, we've done things much, much impressive than this." She pointed out, shaking a chastising finger at him.
Thinking about those supposedly impressive things made him frown. There was that time that they had stolen an airplane in a nearby airport somewhere in Russia – though he had to admit that that had been fun – and managed to eradicate the tracks of any sign of their involvement in the incident. But there was also that time that she decided that driving the limousine of Canada's president within a thick forest in the country was a good idea.
Spending a good three months in jail after that had not been fun at all.
His frown deepened into a scowl.
Speaking of which, "Must I remind you of that time you said that it was a very fantastic idea to take over the city of Paris, resulting in a–" He was cut off as she slapped a hand over his mouth, glaring back at him.
"Not a word, teme. Not a word." She growled.
He smirked behind her hand.
Then suddenly motivated, he calmly licked her palm.
As expected, she immediately retracted it.
Raising an eyebrow, she calmly put a hand on her hip. "Not that I mind, but aren't you an overexciting little thing?"
"Well, given the right inspiration, I could be… very eager." He playfully waggled his eyebrows in a suggestive way.
At that, she grinned toothily.
"Oh, you sick pervert! You tease!" Her cheeks gave a demure blush as she jokingly slapped his left arm, though he winced at the power behind it, leaving the limb uselessly throbbing in pain.
"Watch your mouth, bitch." He gritted out and glared.
She smirked at him, "Tsk, tsk. I really am a bad influence to you, no wonder Juushiro used his Shikai on me that last three times." She muttered thoughtfully, tapping a whisker-marked cheek with a finger.
At that, he crossed his arms over his chest and frowned deeply.
"No, it was because he thought you were molesting me or something, seriously." He grumbled with a huff.
Her eyes widened.
"Shit, really?"
He nodded slowly, "Yeah, and that's not a situation I want to go through again. After that incident, Ukitake found it appropriate to give me 'The Talk' and I became a laughing stock in Soul Society for three weeks." He complained with a twitching eyebrow.
Her eyes widened considerably.
"What… the hell?" She gasped silently before laughing out loud.
At least, it was a far cry from her disturbing laugh that manages even the hardened samurais somewhere in the south coast of Japan into scurrying away.
Though it was hilarious, he got to admit.
Rolling his eyes, he fought the smile from breaking out.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it all you want."
After managing to control her sudden outburst, she took hold of his arm – careful to pick the uninjured one – and hugged it to her chest with both of her arms.
"Now, I believe we have a house to explore, teme!" She exclaimed excitedly. "We won't cover any grounds if we just stand here all day while I watch you gape at our new living quarters by the way."
She winked as she pulled him inside.
He snorted derisively. "Correction, it's not a house, Naruko… It's a damn mansion for Kami's sake!" He stated incredulously as he pointed at the huge chunk of space enclosed in walls in front of them.
Naruko just smirked proudly, "Yeah, just bought it too. Sixteen bedrooms, two kitchens, three bathrooms, a living room that is about three times the size of your office, a balcony, a swimming pool, a large backyard and front garden, and hot springs in said backyard. Good amount of space in case a friend visits by and I had already set up a lab in the basement." She chirped way-too-cheerful for his own liking.
Though he has a look of astonishment on his face.
"Hot springs? As in really hot water at our own disposal? No public mixed baths?" Toushiro asked hopefully as the blonde pulled him within the gates.
He idly noted the walls surrounding said mansion glowing for a second. 'Security barriers and seals,' He recognized approvingly. The mansion was no doubt large, going almost about thirty meters in front of him at length. It was a beautiful place, red bricked walls that covered most of the structure, large and clear pristine windows, and brown mahogany doors that gave the air of sophistication Naruko knew he always loved. The blue tiles that covered the roof were her preference, he knew.
The white haired boy raised an eyebrow at the fountain in the center of the garden, a white angel statue sprouting water from its mouth.
She nodded happily, "Yeah! For our own use only too! Unless we allow others, that hot spring is as good as ours!" Naruko exclaimed eagerly, almost skipping in her step as she did so.
"Heh," Toushiro smirked nastily.
He could still remember those number of times that he had to suffer in a communal mixed baths with Matsumoto because he had been forced to share baths with her due to being mistaken for a child. And worst, he was also mistaken as her son damnit! He had some nightmares about that.
Ignoring the white haired boy's silent cackles, she turned to him with a curious expression.
"So, what did the others say? Did you tell them to visit, teme?" She demanded seriously, carefully tightening her hold over his arm for a millisecond.
They entered the large doors of the mansion and Toushiro gaped at the large white stairwell. He idly noted that the furniture was quite lacking but he shrugged, chalking it up that she had waited for him first.
He flinched slightly, Naruko couldn't really tell if it's because of her hold or the question itself.
"Well, I kind of blew the captains off and I didn't really say anything to Hinamori…"
Toushiro didn't need to look at her to know that she's scowling.
"What?" She hissed dangerously.
Purposely digging her nails into his arm.
'Bitch…' He twitched.
"Look, if I stayed too long they'll interrogate me nonstop, Matsumoto already tried in case you wanted to know. Juushiro was almost breathing down my neck and I had to personally request to the Soutaicho to let only my lieutenant to escort me to the Seikamon. Hinamori… well, I guess I can't face her yet after that last iteration."
He shrugged indifferently.
But Naruko could tell that his mood had darkened at the last part.
Even if she liked his childhood friend as much as him – since Hinamori Momo was one of the firm supporters of their relationship – she, too, couldn't just forget what happened last time.
The betrayal was still fresh as a newly inflicted wound.
Even though Momo hadn't done anything yet, technically.
And Naruko noted sadly that it hadn't been the first during the iteration. But the recent had been too painful.
She understood.
"So," She chirped happily.
'Too happy, if you ask me.' Toushiro grumbled in the safety recesses of his mind.
Elbowing him in the ribs, she ignored his growling figure.
"Such rage, teme!" Naruko gasped dramatically. "I guess if you're not really that happy to see me, you wouldn't like to hear about your gigai that I just recently finished."
Wide teal eyes focused on her.
Before she could bait him some more, he had grabbed her by the shoulder with his good arm.
"In three days? That's a new record, the last time you made one it took you one week."
He looked at her with amazement.
She nodded, smiling.
"Of course, I'm a genius, you baka-teme!" She boasted with a chuckle.
He smirked amusedly.
"And modest too." He added good-humouredly.
"I know." Naruko beamed. "The gigai was already conditioned in terms of physical condition and energy, so that you could easily adjust into it. Though it may take a whole day before you could access any amount of chakra, and will have to constantly meditate to get a natural flow of the gigai's chakra coils." She explained to him.
He nodded, accepting but all the more excited.
It had been a long time since he used chakra. The last iteration had prevented him because of that early conflict with Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.
The council had been too paranoid to let him go.
"And after we set up in this mansion, we will have to go to a trip." Naruko started seriously.
Toushiro was surprised to find her sombre, though the underlying spark of excitement in those azure eyes told him another story.
"Where exactly are we going? Because I'm not going back to the Middle East countries again… the fucking weather just dampened the trip." He reminded her pensively.
It was not one of his favorite moments.
Naruko smirked at that, she knew that too.
"It's located along the western coast of Japan, a group of small islands called the Kagetekina no Tsuki Islands." That spark in her eyes became pronounced.
"What's so interesting about those islands?" He raised an eyebrow.
But stopped short as a thought occurred to him.
"Wait, do those even exist?" Toushiro asked skeptically.
Remembering the map, there's no such thing as Kagetekina no Tsuki islands near Japan.
Cupping his cheek with a hand, she grinned with all teeth bared.
"Of course! Because that my dear dragon, is where the shinobi civilization still lives." The blonde revealed with a vulpine grin.
It was as if his heart stopped beating for a second.
He then gripped the wrist of the hand that cupped his cheek tightly.
"You're not playing with me, are you?" He asked seriously as he looked straight at her eyes.
But she just smoothed her expression blank.
And nodded.
"How come I never knew this? Or Soul Society for that matter? When did you know?"
He barraged her with questions but none had sounded any close to accusing.
Naruko fondly thought that he hadn't changed, still not a person who likes to deal with waiting.
The blonde crossed her arms. "I didn't buy this mansion just because I wanted a lot of area for us, it has a library that contains history about Japan. And when I say history, all of it."
At his surprised yet questioning look, she elaborated.
"The books were accurate sightings of my civilization from two thousand years ago, and the only reason I have for it is that the previous owner of this place is a direct descendant of a shinobi. A journal mentioned the Kagetekina no Tsuki islands where one of the remaining Shinobi society stands, and as its name suggests… it's cleverly hidden in a shadow illusion. A seal barrier too if Soul Society didn't detect them. Your place doesn't exactly have any experts in the arts."
Toushiro knew that he was gaping.
Although it was an undignified, moronic, and utterly stupid way of reacting.
He found that he didn't care at the moment.
Then, he smirked coldly. Suddenly feeling the rush of adrenaline.
"When are we ready for departure?"
Naruko smirked back. "In a week, but first let's take a tour, ne? This mansion isn't going to produce a map for you any second."
With that, she intertwined her left hand with his right, dragging him.
As they neared the stairwell, she froze.
So did he.
'That reiatsu…'
"Nice of you to stop by, Yoruichi." Naruko stated calmly as they gazed at the still cat behind them.
He grimaced.
'Of all the… It had to be her, doesn't it? The fucking Shunshin no Yoruichi.'
The cat was instantly enveloped in smoke.
Thank you for reading.
