Disclaimer: No, Bleach is not mine. If it was there would be more HitsuMatsu moments and Gin would be even more adorable and appear more than Aizen. But I'm not complaining (too much) Tite Kubo (the real author of Bleach) is doing an excellent job ^_^

Name: Skeletons in the Closet (thanks to Rachel for suggesting it)

Pairing: obviously HitsuMatsu. Side pairings: UlquiHime, IchiRuki and...mentions of past RanGin.

Rating: T because of some strong language and some...violence. But it could become a M rated. We'll see.

Summary: "I hurt her. I…wanted to take her…to break her…" said Toshiro, each one of his words emphasized by a punch, "I made her tremble in fear and left a bruise on her neck, proof of what I almost did to her.

Warnings: DarkToshiro!! Okay, I tried to work with a dark version of Toshiro. But maybe he isn't as dark as I want him. Anyway, he is going to be really OoC and also a little too violent.

Author's Note: Another story that I hope you like, this si not going to be too long and I'm still working on it. We'll see how it goes. As always comments, advices and other things (as long as you don't flame) are welcome. By the way, I change my pen name from KatonRyuuka to Anki-Shai. Just so you know.

And as always, thanks to Rachel who help me a great deal with my gramar and other things.

So, Read, enjoy and review!! you know? to know if you like it and all!


Chapter one

The shadow in between

Rangiku had never been afraid of him.

That did not mean, of course, she did not feel hurt by his words or hesitant and nervous because of his actions.

Because she did.

Every time he would turn his cold, emotionless, teal eyes to her or when he tried to repress her with his mere presence, using his reiatsu.

In those moment she not only felt hurt but also nervous and slightly afraid, but not of him but for him. It seemed every time she tried to do the right thing with him, he just kept slipping away, giving in to whatever darkness had been engulfing his heart and mind in the last year.

This was one of those situations. One of those situations in which she had pressed him too much. She had tried too hard and now he was displeased.

She could feel the cold, hard surface of the wall behind her. He was pressing her against the wall. His left hand closed dangerously tight around her neck, his eyes narrowed and cold.

Rangiku stared back at her Taichou; she always did when she had the opportunity to be this close to him. It made her hope; it made her look deep inside his teal eyes and look for just the right gleam, the one that would tell her the Taichou she knew and loved was still there. That he was still there waiting for her to help him back into the light.

She cracked a smile at her thoughts.

She remembered the first time Hyorinmaru contacted her for help. She remembered the dragon saying to her she was like the sun giving its light to the moon. How ironic. All this time, and even more so after Gin's betrayal, her Taichou had been her light. For her, he had always been her sun.

He tilted his head but, otherwise, he didn't move. His eyes were still fixated on her, waiting for some kind of explanation for her actions. She almost rolled her eyes. She had already told him what her feelings were and what she wanted. He was merely in denial. And the more in denial he was, the more she would press. She wouldn't let him go, she wouldn't lose him.

As if reading her mind he let out an exasperated sigh and his voice, raspy, deep and low, reached her ears, sending a shiver of excitement through her body. Not the right reaction since he also sounded dangerously angry at her.

"Why? Why do you insist on pestering me with these…insignificant things?" This time his eyes did show her his anger and his traces of hatred. Something that wasn't there before the war.

"I'm tired of it. I'm tired of you," his words were stressed by his left hand closing even more strongly around her neck, making her breaths short and labored. "You know I could easily kill you? Maybe like that I would finally get a fukutaichou that actually helps and doesn't keep meddling in my business."

He expected to get some kind of reaction from her, something else apart from seriousness and indifference or worry. But he was disappointed. Instead of seeing fear or surprise or even anger he found her looking at him with tenderness and something else he did not know how to define.

It wasn't the first time she looked at him in such a way. And it always made him…doubtful and desperate.

She should hate him!

She should be afraid of him!

She should despise him!

He had been doing everything in his power for her to stop looking at him like that!

For her to want nothing to do with him!

But she always came back with a new strategy, with new words, with new smiles.

"You enjoy making me look like an idiot, right?" he said, ignoring the look in her eyes. Pressing her to try and do something, to try and make her leave him. "Did you think you could do it with this idiotic celebration? That this time you could bring out the 'real' me?"

He smirked in a nasty way, Rangiku frowned when she saw Toshiro's smirk. It wasn't the kind of thing he would do. Outside the sound of an explosion followed by multicolored flowers in the sky indicated the beginning of the fireworks.

For a moment Rangiku regretted missing the spectacle. She had been expecting to take her Taichou with her and made him enjoy the fireworks with her. Just like the old times. But this time without Aizen and Hinamori.

"Taichou, I didn't want to make a fool of you. According to Orihime, Valen…ugh…" Her words were cut off by Toshiro closing his hand even more on her neck.

"I was speaking. When I speak, Matsumoto-fukutaichou, you remain silent."

Matsumoto's eyebrow lifted and her eyes gleamed with the slightest trace of rebellion. She had never been an easy opponent, always putting up a fight even in the worst situation. It was a characteristic that usually exasperated her enemies, or, in this, case her Taichou.

"I don't understand you. And frankly, I don't want to," he said. His voice was now hard and cold, almost indifferent. "Like I said, I got tired of you. As soon as the morning arrives I'm going to ask for your transfer. You can rot in hell for all I care. I can't stand your presence anymore."

His words had hurt her deeply. The venom in his voice, the cold hatred…He had never been the same after the winter war. Hinamori's death was still too fresh, too close for him to let it go and to forgive himself.

The moment he had recovered he had dedicated himself to his duty. There was nothing else around him but duty and training. He even made Kenpachi proud at his fierceness and aggressiveness, at his lack of care for the well being of the people around him as long as his mission and his enemies were accomplished.

He was still so hurt. Not only physically but emotionally. He still wore the scars Aizen had made when he cut his left arm and leg. A scar that had marred his face and taken part of the beauty he once wore. She could remember the moment Orihime healed him, even after she was done it was obvious he would never completely restore his arm or leg. And the scar on his face would always be with him.

A reminder that he failed.

And Matsumoto hated it; she hated it because she knew he hadn't failed. Because he was blaming himself for something it wasn't his fault at all. And because she hated the person he had become she fought him so hard. Because she loved him too much, she would not let him go without a fight.

Toshiro's smirk grew and Matsumoto noticed a gleam of triumph in his eyes. Finally he had done it; he had hurt her enough to make her look weak for once. Toshiro was satisfied with the reaction. He had made her falter, he had made her evade his look.

Toshiro's triumph, however, didn't last too long.

He froze where he stood when she lifted her hand to caress his cheek tenderly. Her smile was sad and her eyes reflected the hurt they had showed moments before. His hold on her neck faltered when her hand mapped out the scar on his face and she seemed to lean closer to him.

Toshiro's mind was trying to process what was happening and why. Even if he hated to admit it, Matsumoto was warm. She was temptation. She was a weakness to him. She was the link to sanity…to the happiness he was so decided to deny himself.

Pathetic.

He promised himself to not have any kind of weakness, he promised himself to get rid of them. Even if it hurt too much, because that was the only way he would not fail again. That was the only way he could protect…the only way he wouldn't be defeated…

He looked at her with an offended expression, affronted by her actions, by the way she was making him feel.

Why? Why did she have such a power to distress him? Why did he feel the tug in his heart? Why?!

Matsumoto was aware of her Taichou's discomfort. She knew, and saw, the old him there. The one who would get confused at her advances and flirty tones. Now, she would have to be very careful, this was a moment in which she could progress with him and make him opened up to her or…things cold just go to hell.

Rangiku's eyes softened and, somehow, her touches became more intimate, warm and affectionate. Toshiro's eyes opened slightly and he was starting to give in.

That's when Matsumoto made a mistake, while touching his scar she mumbled in a husky tone, "You really are handsome, Taichou. You grew to be a handsome man."

His demeanor changed completely.

His turquoise eyes went a frightening black color before returning to normal. But the coldness and lifeless expression in them sent a shiver of fear through Matsumoto's back.

What just happened? What was that fluctuation in her Taichou's reiatsu? What was that…strange reaction she noticed in his eyes?

Her questions went unanswered as Toshiro, with great speed and strength, tossed Matsumoto to the floor hovering above her, pinning her to the floor with his hands and body.

He was closer than ever but instead of feeling adventurous or surprised, Matsumoto felt scared. A feeling she never before felt with her Taichou.

It was just his eyes, his sudden and unnecessary strength used against Rangiku, the position they were in. His face was a mask of indifference and sheer desperation.

"Don't mock me, Matsumoto." His voice was empty and cold, just as lifeless as his eyes and the hold he had on her neck and right wrist tightened.

"I know I'm not 'handsome'." He said tilting his head to the side to make the scar on his face more visible. "This scar on my face…the ones on my chest and back…the scars you can see and that will never heal…"

Rangiku watched with open eyes as Toshiro looked at her, his face changing into something Matsumoto didn't want to see on him. It wasn't Hitsugaya Toshiro at all…it was as if someone else, something else, was acting for him.

Or maybe Matsumoto felt so much for her Taichou she wanted it to be someone else and not Toshiro. She didn't want a repeat performance of what her relationship with Gin was.

"This things on my skin, on my soul…on my mind…" said Tōshirō, smirking in a rather frightening and cold way. "These things only show how bad I am, how much of a monster I am."

"You…Taichou, you're not a monster," she mumbled and hated that her voice sounded weak and trembling.

Again, there was a flash of black coming from the corners of the white part of his eyes. Matsumoto didn't have time to react to the event since Toshiro neared her, his reiatsu pinned her to the floor, making made her felt weak and cold.

Then, he laughed.

And Matsumoto didn't know if she should feel surprised or more scared than before. She had never heard him laugh like that and she certainly didn't want to hear him laugh in such a way ever again. After a few seconds he stopped and his voice sent Matsumoto's senses into alarm, and Haineko into a restless pacing in their inner world, asking for her mistress to let her out.

"You should know about it, shouldn't you, Matsumoto?" he asked. "You should know about monsters since you fucked one, right? Several times, if I am correct."

She gasped in surprise and couldn't help but feel hurt by Toshiro's words. He, however, didn't even flinch at her reaction. On the contrary, Matsumoto would dare to say, he was enjoying it and the mere thought sent some tears to Rangikus' eyes. What had happened to her Taichou? Where was the man she had fallen in love with a long time ago?

"Yes, maybe you miss him," said Toshiro, raising a white eyebrow. "Maybe that's why you've been chasing after me. You miss fucking a monster like Gin, so you decided to come after me. I can be just as good in bed as Gin."

Toshiro was hovering above Rangiku, dangerously close to her, and after his words Rangiku felt helpless. And terrified.

What did he mean by his comment? Did he…no, even as messed up as he was he wouldn't think of…of hurting Rangiku in such a way, right?

His eyes were dark and emotionless; his face was tense while his lips formed a tense grimace.

"This is what you want, right?" he said lowering his face until his lips were near Rangiku's ear. She could only tremble lightly. "This is why you've been chasing after me the last year, inviting me to useless celebrations, spending time with me, whether I want it or not…"

Rangiku could feel a single tear roll down her cheek when Toshiro's lips closed slightly on her lobe. "Right, Matsumoto? Answer me, would you like a monster like me to fuck you?"

The hand around her neck started moving lower and Rangiku couldn't suppress the trembling of her body and the small sob that escape her lips.

Was he serious?

For the first time ever, Matsumoto Rangiku felt scared of Hitsugaya Toshiro. For the first time ever she didn't feel safe, but rather threatened by his presence. Haineko growled with rage inside her and was begging for Rangiku to call out to her.

Toshiro moved his lips from Matsumoto's ear lobe to her face and it was then his turquoise eyes found the expression she was wearing.

It was the look of pure helplessness and pure fear that made him snap out of whatever trance he had been in.

Toshiro watched and noticed for the first time she was trembling and tears were falling from her eyes. She wasn't looking at him but rather to the other side. Her body was tensed and her reiatsu was screaming in fear.

What was he doing?

Toshiro stood up so fast he startled Rangiku. His back found the solid wall behind him, while his eyes were still on Rangiku.

He lifted a hand to his hair and grabbed it rather forcibly. What was he doing? Did he really…did he really say all those things to her? Did he was about to….?

He couldn't even finish the thought for fear of the answer. Toshiro felt some kind of pain in his chest; he found it difficult to breathe properly, to think.

His pain only intensified when his eyes found Rangiku's. She was scared of him, he had…he had failed another precious person yet again.

I told you, didn't I? Toshiro-chan…you are a failure, you are a monster…monsters are meant to destroy or be destroyed…

Toshiro's eyes opened wide at the sinister voice inside his head. As fast as he could, he left the place, leaving Rangiku on the floor, scared and crying, wondering what the hell had happened.


The guards at the front door of the hidden prison stepped aside. They knew the young Captain, and Soi Fong-Taichou had order them to let the man pass whenever he needed it. Besides, the way he was moving and made his presence known told the guards it would be better to not disturb him.

Though, they couldn't help but feel slightly sorry for the prisoner the man was obviously going to see.

He kept walking, knowing his way around what others called the Maggots Nest. He didn't even bother with the people around him; his destination was on the floors below.

It didn't take him too long. He stood in front of a middle sized room; the man he was looking for was sitting on a corner. He didn't move while his hand went for the key he had been entrusted with. The figure in the corner chuckled lightly but didn't make any attempt to greet the newcomer.

Once the cell was opened, Hitsugaya Toshiro walked to the man until his shadow hovered above him. Their eyes met, or rather, Hitsugaya tried to meet the always closed eyes of the man.

There was a moment of silence; neither of them said anything for a moment. Suddenly, Hitsugaya's fist collided with the man's face; the man, however, didn't do anything. He was used to the young Taichou's visits and he usually ended up being used as a dummy doll.

"I hurt her," said Toshiro and his voice was loud and firm. The man flinched in surprise while Toshiro looked at him with an expressionless face only betrayed by the obvious pain in his turquoise eyes.

"I hurt her. I…wanted to take her…to break her…" said Toshiro, each one of his words emphasized by a punch, "I made her tremble in fear and left a bruise on her neck, proof of what I almost did to her. What I was ready to… urgh…"

Toshiro didn't finish his little speech; he was stopped by a punch directly to his face. He stood startled for a moment before cracking a bitter smile. This was the first time Ichimaru Gin hit him back. And, truth be told, that's what Toshiro had been looking for.

He wanted to be hurt; he wanted to pay for his sins, his wrong doings. And the irony of the situation was the traitor was being the one making him pay.

Hitsugaya Toshiro didn't care anymore.

He just wanted to stop feeling. To stop hurting the people he loved.

"I almost enjoyed it…when I hurt her," said Toshiro, smiling, enjoying the red eyes that were looking at him with utter hatred and anger.

"My, Hitsugaya-chan, it seems like Aizen-taichou's parting gift is finally getting to you," commented the man with a sadistic smile. Toshiro's smile vanished and he, once again, punched Gin in the stomach.

From then on Hitsugaya let out his frustrations, his fears, his failures, let them take the form of mindless violence against Gin, while the other man tried to hurt Toshiro both physically and emotionally.


It took Rangiku several hours to compose herself and stood up from the position her taichou had left her in. She wiped away the tears from her face and lifted a hand to massage her bruised neck.

In front of her was a very pissed off Haineko. Her zanpakutou was fuming, walking around in circles and holding her tongue for the moment. Rangiku knew that sooner or later she would share with her what she thought about the situation.

"You should have called me! I would have put the little twerp in his place!" said Haineko, finally sharing her thoughts. "I don't know what the hell his problem is but if he thinks I'm going to let him land a hand on you again…"

"It's not your choice, is it?" interrupted Rangiku looking tired. Haineko opened her mouth to reply but nothing came. She huffed, realizing Rangiku was right. The only thing Haineko could do without the help of the woman was scratch the man.

"I still think he was out of place and you should have done something," continued Haineko. "It's not like you to let people get away with this kind of treatment"

Rangiku nodded her head but otherwise she didn't say anything else; instead her mind was re-playing the events that had taken place hours ago.

She would never justify her Taichou's behavior, mainly because she knew he was out of place. He wasn't being reasonable and was acting like the jerk he had become after the war. But…there was something…his eyes and his reiatsu…

"…and don't even get me started on Hyorinmaru! The stupid dragon didn't hear me when I told him to stop his Master!" rambled on Haineko, "seriously what's wrong with those two?"

"Haineko," the Ash-cat turned her attention to Rangiku and was kind of curious at the serious and contemplative tone in her Mistress voice. "Did you…did you notice something different about Taichou?"

"You mean apart from the fact he almost ra-"

"Yes," cut her Rangiku rather rudely. Haineko had the decency to look ashamed.

"Well, now that you mention it, he…he didn't feel well," said Haineko. "And Hyorinmaru was more distant than usual, it was kind of hard for me to feel him when in another moment it was so easy."

Haineko blushed slightly at the last part but Rangiku ignored her in favor of this new information. So, she hadn't been the only one to notice it? Rangiku sighed heavily, tired and troubled by the recent events.

"Rangiku?" Haineko neared her mistress and settled herself on a chair. Rangiku offered her a sad smile.

"I need a bath. And probably a good night's sleep," she said, standing up. "Tomorrow I'm going to find out exactly what's wrong with my Taichou."

"We can't lose them, right? Toshiro-kun and Hyorinmaru-kun, I mean." Haineko purred in agreement with her Mistress.

Neither of them shared their own fears and worries about the situation, and neither of them dared to voice their suspicions. But both of them decided to not let someone like Toshiro and Hyorinmaru slip away without a fight.


So, hate it? love it? Opinions and other things are welcome. Don't forget to review give me your opinions or ideas if you have some!

Thanks for reading!