The re-written version, a suggestion by bandgirlz. Thank you so much for your idea to rewrite this chapter. As well as your review, it was very informative and it took me this long (a year and a half! *shudders*) to get off my ass and re-write my previous horribly written chapter of this series! Please read the important author's note at the end of the chapter.

For now 一 please enjoy this revamped chapter and review your thoughts on it!

-:-

The Lying Game 一 Chapter 1.

The Tenth Division didn't exactly have their quiet days when Matsumoto Rangiku was their lieutenant.

Or when Hitsugaya Toshiro was their captain. "MATSUMOTO!" He would often yell. He hadn't been captain for that long, and already he yells at the woman as if he's known her for a lifetime. Previously being the third seat of the division, he didn't think Matsumoto would slack off that much, even under Shiba-taicho's command. He couldn't bring himself to report her to the soutaicho. That wasn't what he wanted to do. Sure she was slacking a lot...and sure she was not much help in paperwork duties... but he kind of enjoyed her company, and she was a great fighter at battle. He just wanted to teach her a lesson, ease up the stack of paperwork he faced every day. That's all.

Voluptuous, flirtatious and seductive 一 no one's gonna let her slip, right? Matsumoto had a gift of charm, and a strong personality. Yes, she had a reputation of being involved with many guys, but none of it was confirmed. Practically the whole male population of the Tenth had to suffer her undeniably addictive charm every day. And the chances of the male population in the Gotei Thirteen who say no to her... do not exist.

Except Hitsugaya.

Which was why the little captain didn't fall for her sweet talks or the miraculous chances to endure her hugs. In fact, he hated those annoying hugs. It made him feel short and like an elementary school kid. Hmph.

"I see you've been stressed lately. Drink some tea, Hitsugaya-kun." The elder captain offered, fanning himself as he sipped tea in peace. "Are you not use to Rangiku-san's attitude in work?" His tone sounded almost playful, especially with the mischievious smirk he had on his face.

Hitsugaya had been a captain for a relatively shorter period of time compared to the other captains. He knew Matsumoto a good amount as he worked alongside her for many years, but he didn't know her on a personal level. Despite that, he didn't want to be looked down just because he was child prodigy or because his lieutenant attracted a lot of unnecessary attention.

Hitsugaya eye twitched, his face darkening momentarily. "Are you assuming that I cannot handle Matsumoto? She is merely... being herself, being destructive and giving the Division a bad name. It's nothing I can't handle."

Shunsui gave the little captain an idle smile. "That is not herself, Hitsugaya-kun."

"Then what is?" His voice lowered to a sigh. "All Matsumoto has been is destructive, lazy and to catch her at the office during office hours, actually working... is a sight to see."

Hitsugaya and Shunsui would drink tea and converse during their free time before a captain's meeting. It was located in a room in the First Division where only captains could enter. Often Ukitake and Shunsui would spend their time here, but to have Hitsugaya here was indeed quite rare. Shunsui knew the little captain had been a captain for not very long, compared to other captains. To be frustrated with a lieutenant like his...was understandable. He didn't know Matsumoto personally like how Shunsui did, and Matsumoto Rangiku did not seem to be entirely what gossip had perceived her to be.

Shunsui chuckled at the young captain's ignorance of the woman. "You have much to learn about Rangiku-san, Hitsugaya-kun. She is...different, but nonetheless a beauty with brains."

The older captain noticed the younger captain's confused expression. He added, "How about challenge her to her own game then?"

The younger captain's eyebrow rose. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," The captain in the floral haori helped himself to another generous amount of tea. "If you want to stop Rangiku-san from causing all this commotion, then how about propose a game to her? Set some rules and declare what the winner shall receive." He sipped on his cup. "And in your case, it would be for her to quit her public affairs with men and to resume her fukutaicho duties, no?"

"T-That's a good idea." Hitsugaya's voice quietened to a murmur. "But she won't accept that. It's far beyond her personality to accept that."

"Then allow her to pick her prize, and knowing Rangiku-san, it won't be a small prize at all." Shunsui chuckled again, fanning himself in mischief. "It's a risk, Hitsugaya-kun. But if Rangiku-san won't listen the easy way, then winning her at her own game will eventually wear her out, cause her to lose, then she'll stop."

"Then I must win Matsumoto in her own game to get her to listen to me." Hitsugaya thought to himself aloud, his face deep in thought. "I must go, Kyoraku. Thank you for your advice. It will help me greatly to teach Matsumoto a lesson."

Shunsui chuckled again at how serious the little captain was taking his suggestion. He almost seemed like a mini-Byakuya! It had been a mere joke, but Hitsugaya must've been too absorbed into teaching the woman discipline that he had dismissed his jokingly tone. As he watched the young captain leave the room, he fanned himself in delight. It should be interesting to see how far this little game of theirs go. A nice way to pass time.

-:-

Hitsugaya waited inside the Tenth Division's office. It was already evening. Often Matsumoto would return to the office to say goodnight to her captain before she'd get off work around this time. He pondered more about what Kyoraku had suggested. It certainly was dangerous to play with fire, especially since it was Matsumoto we were talking about. The woman could hold up a fight forever! Then again, he was a captain. What can a lieutenant do that he cannot?

The door opened and Matsumoto came dancing in, bubbly as ever. "Good evening, taicho! I'm off to the bar with the boys to celebrate Renji's birthday! I'll see you tomorrow!" She had purposely left out the specific time she would be in. It's not like she could pull herself out of bed the next morning after the hangover!

"Yes, you'll be in tomorrow morning. Don't think I can't see through your sneaky tricks, Matsumoto!" He snarled, then softening up. "Oi, er. Before you go, I want to propose something to you, Matsumoto."

Matsumoto's eyebrow rose, she was curious. "What is it, taicho?"

His lips quirked a smirk. Maybe it's time to play with fire, if it means getting the woman to fol "So, I heard you like to play games, Matsumoto."

Maybe playing her at her own game would help, and knowing Hitsugaya, he never loses. She nodded to him, signaling him to carry on.

"So, I was thinking... Since you very much have interest in games relating to love, how about we play one of our own?"

"What do you mean?"

"We play a game, but it's a risky game. It will require sweet talking all the time. Physical contact like hugging, kissing, and whatever. You will be put in situations where we may even be required to sleep on the same bed. Basically, like a couple." He paused, smirking at her reaction. "And whoever falls in love first? Loses."

Matsumoto paused for a bit, remaining the same neutral face as she had before. But soon, her face crept into a smile, nodding in approval. "Of course, taicho! But, I'm good at these games, so do beware." She smirked, slowly approaching her little captain. "I don't fall in love easily. It'll take you a great amount of effort to do so."

"Tch. Like I'm not good at these games, you should beware, Matsumoto!"

Continuing the smirk, he remained to keep his gaze at her cool blue eyes. The two locked their eyes upon one another for a few moments, but soon Hitsugaya broke the silence. "But, there are few conditions. This remains between us, this love game thing. Others are not to know that it is a game, but rather a normal relationship, for it will ruin my reputation as a captain severely to involve myself in such games."

"Are you not afraid what the other captains will think? To be involved with your lieutenant?"

"There is no such rule forbidding it."

A smile crept up to her face again. "Fine. What does the winner get?"

"The choice of your prize is up to you, but it must be of similar level to my prize. However, If I win, which I know I will, you will immediately end your games with whoever you're involved with and resume your lieutenant duties, properly. Your public actions has tarnished the Tenth Division's image greatly, and should you have a relationship after this game has ended, is to be kept private."

"Don't get so cocky, Hitsugaya-taicho." Matsumoto smiled mischievously. "That's a really big loss to me, taicho... I guess I could only ask for a similar prize in order for this to be fair. Perhaps Hitsugaya-taicho wouldn't mind handing over his virginity after I effortlessly win this?"

His eyes widened. He had to consider carefully. His virginity? Why would she want that... of all things? She had the choice of having money, expensive dinner dates, heck, even a chance to not do any paperwork and not get in trouble for it. But instead, she picks a choice Hitsugaya never thought she'd ask for.

"That's too much to ask for, Matsumoto."

"And so is asking me to stay cooped up in this little office, morning to night... every day, taicho!" Matsumoto faked a dramatic cry, earning a glare from her captain.

"Tch. Whatever. Prepare to lose to your captain, Rangiku." Hitsugaya folded his arms, smirking at her surprised expression towards the formalities. He had never called her Rangiku, let alone have any sort of personal connection with his lieutenant. This game might be mind-draining soon, but it only just begun, and he was already one step ahead of her.

This was going to be a long semester of work and games.