Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Bleach characters mentioned in this series. All characters belong to the original author Tite Kubo.

However: I do own Haruka Kaenbyo and Umeko Fujiwara.

Warning: Spoilers may be present.

Hitsugaya walked along the corridor towards the research labs. Captain Haruka Kaenbyo had given him orders to bring her a pile of reports as soon as he was free. He had rushed to finish up his paperwork so that he wouldn't cause her to wait too long for he knew that if he pissed off Haruka he would get in big trouble. The thought of having the young girl who stood 4'2" tall and was captain of Squad 14 pissed scared him even though he was bigger and of a higher rank than her. She had stolen his title of 'child prodigy' by beating all of his scores and become a captain at an even younger age. He had only been a captain for a year when she was promoted to one straight out of the academy. They even created a new squad for her.

Hitsugaya knocked quietly on the lab door for it was locked and he didn't have security clearing to have the pass code to get in. Only those who worked in the labs had access to them. Those without the security clearing had to be escorted in by someone who did.

"Who is it?" Haruka asked from the other side of the door. She was obviously busy with her work because normally she would answer the door herself.

"Captain Hitsugaya delivering the reports you requested," he replied.

The door made a clicking sound and opened up. Hitsugaya walked through, the doors closing stiffly behind him.

"Is that all of them?" Haruka asked. She had barely taken a second to look up from her work and glance at him.

He nodded as he handed the stack of files to her. Hitsugaya stood still and watched as she quickly skimmed the contents of the files. She was too observed in her work to even notice that he hadn't left. That was before he tried to start a conversation.

"Shouldn't you take a break? You look exhausted Captain," Hitsugaya asked. "You should go to bed and rest."

"Who asked you? And why are you even still here?" Haruka questioned in a harsh tone. "I have enough work to deal with without you getting in my way. I could finish a lot sooner and rest a more if you would just leave me alone." The air in the room became hot and humid before it instantly froze, the heat continuing to linger on the edges as Haruka's reiatsu reacted with her anger.

"Well then, goodnight Captain Kaenbyo," Hitsugaya said coldly, as though all emotion had been sucked from him. He walked out of the room without another word.

As he walked down the halls he tried to keep a calm expression. He tried to dodge crossing paths with people for he knew he was on the brink of breaking. He was almost out when he accidently bumped into someone.

"I'm sorry," he said without looking up. His snowy white hair hid his face.

"Is that any way to treat a fellow Captain?" a familiar voice questioned. Hitsugaya looked up to see Gin smiling slyly at him. He was fox-like as always.

"Captain Ichimaru, I didn't see you there, my apologies," Hitsugaya mumbled. His green-blue eyes were icier than ever as he glared at Gin. After a few seconds he went back to staring at the ground below him.

Gin smiled, his eyes just barely slits, examined the young captain before him. "You have no point of looking down, pipsqueak."

Hitsugaya brushed the insult because he was too upset to deal with anymore shit. "Leave me alone Ichimaru. I've dealt with enough crap today as it is."

"Has Haruka been acting mean to you again?" Gin laughed. "Stop taking her so seriously; she only gets upset when you distract her from her work, especially when she's on the verge of finishing a big project."

Hitsugaya avoided his gaze, hiding his face behind his hair. His icy eyes closed.

"Is there something you're trying to hide?" Gin asked.

"I said leave me alone Captain Ichimaru," Hitsugaya didn't know how much longer he could take being within proximity to his rival.

For the longest time now Haruka, the girl he loved had been known as Gin's girl because everyone in the entire soul society knew that Gin had a crush on her. Plus they were always with each other because they were such close friends that even if they weren't an official couple everyone treated them as such. Hitsugaya couldn't stand being anywhere near Gin since he had found out about how close he was with Haruka.

"There's no point in hiding something from me you know," Gin replied. "I'll find out what you're hiding eventually so you might as well spill it now when no one else is around to hear."

Hitsugaya was done taking Gin's annoying questions. Hitsugaya walked right past Gin, only to be pulled back and shoved into a wall. Gin put his hand against the wall, trapping Hitsugaya where he was.

"Captain Ichimaru, I demand that you let me go this instant," Hitsugaya exclaimed.

"Don't you want to accompany me to see Haruka? Maybe we can fix this little disagreement between you two," Gin asked. "I have to go there anyways to give her the dinner she had asked me to buy."

"I just came from there and I have no intentions on returning. I've dealt with her enough for the day thank you very much," Hitsugaya tried to push Gins arm away with no such luck.

"Well, if you tell me what's wrong, maybe I could work it out if you're in such a hurry to go away," Gin tried to pry.

"That I also have no intentions of doing," Hitsugaya replied coldly. The air dropped a few degrees as Hitsugaya's spiritual pressure responded to his anger. "Goodbye Captain Ichimaru." Hitsugaya again pushed at Gin's arm to no avail.

"Don't think I'll be letting you away so easily," Gin smiled. "I'm bigger than you. I'm stronger than you. I'm faster than you. Don't for a moment think that you can outfight me."

"Will you please let me go? Your presence detests me," Hitsugaya said sourly, a tone as bitter as spoiled milk.

"Oh, so now you're mad at me too? What have I ever done," Gin asked.

"You're lucky she likes you," Hitsugaya said. Gin finally gave in and let his arm go.

Hitsugaya began to walk away.

"Oh how I wish she did," Gin called back to him just before he was out of hearing range.

Arigato. Reviews welcome.

- Haruka Shinigami