A Mere Coincidence

Summary/Intro

It just had to be her birthday, when Matsumoto decides to take us to a rock band concert. The day I was finally going to tell her. Hyorinmaru finally agrees with me; we should kill Matsumoto. (Maybe Heineko, depending on her involvement.)

The Reason? It started, as I said, on her birthday…

Hitsugaya was sitting behind the desk in his office, doing paperwork, when Matsumoto burst in. A sly smile showed on her face.

"Taicho! What are you doing? Aren't you going to help with Hinamori's surprise party?" Her hands on her hips and her eyes alight with something devious glinting in their dark corners. She leaned over the desk to look at his eyes. Blue green, some called them teal, others aqua, but everyone agreed that they were terrifyingly cold.

Hitsugaya, unaired by his lieutenant's interruption, looked down and went back to his paperwork. "Matsumoto you do not have time to think about such things, get back to work." He looked up to see his lieutenant gone. Ginger hair and pink scarf, all gone.

"MATSUMOTO!"

Hinamori was also sitting behind her desk doing paperwork when Rangiku walked in.

"Hinamori! You shouldn't be doing work! It's your birthday!"

Hinamori glanced up, startled. Her hair obscuring her vision for a brief moment.

"Rangiku-san! I'm sorry but I have paperwork and I don't want anyone else to do the work I should do."

Rangiku put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. A smile spread across her features. She shrugged and left, leaving a bewildered 5th squad lieutenant behind.

Matsumoto walked back into the 10th division's office and sat down on the couch. She pulled her paperwork toward her and started on it. Her captain stared at her in bewilderment, his hand poised above the current paper he was signing, dripping ink on it. His mouth was agape.

Matsumoto turned around and smiled at her Taicho. "What Taicho? You said yourself that I should work, so I am!"

Hitsugaya closed his mouth and puzzlement claimed his usually unrevealing eyes. "What are you up to Matsumoto?"

"Me? Why would I want to get out of my paperwork? It is in my job description."

"You never do paperwork."

"That's not true! I do, do my paperwork! You're so mean Taicho!"

Hitsugaya Toshiro stared at her a minute before shaking his head and turning back to his paperwork. After a couple of minutes Matsumoto sighed and stood up. Hitsugaya looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.

"What are you up to?"

Matsumoto smiled at him very sweetly and the shunpo'ed out of the office.

Instead of screaming at her like he usually did, he stood up and flash stepped out as well. His white hair bobbed before he disappeared out of sight. Matsumoto peeked from around the corner, into the office, and grinned.

Hinamori was intent on her paperwork and didn't hear the knock on her office door. Another knock sounded and another, none of them heard. A slight swishing sound happened as her office door was pushed open.

"Hinamori."

Hinamori almost jumped out of her skin and let out a squeak. She looked at her childhood friend standing in front of her desk and glared. "Don't scar me like that Shiro-chan! Why do you always sneak up on me?"

"Baka, I don't sneak up on you. You don't pay attention; I knocked at least ten times." Hitsugaya smirked.

"Gomen Shiro-chan. I wasn't paying attention."

"Don't call me that! It's Hitsugaya Taicho."

Hitsugaya sighed. And scratched the side of his head. "Oi, Hinamori do you need any help? I'm all finished with my paperwork."

"Arigato Shiro-chan!"

"Ah."

Hinamori left, and Hitsugaya stood there, unsure what to do. A few minutes passed and Hinamori came back with a chair that she placed across from her own. "Here you go Shiro-chan, if you don't mind I have a lot of paperwork."

"Ah."

He sat down and brought one of the many paperwork stacks closer to him and started to work. Hinamori sat across from him and did likewise. They worked, and after a couple hours or so, the work was all finished.

"Arigato, Shiro-chan!" Hinamori's chestnut eyes sparkled at him.

Hitsugaya shrugged. "Oi, Hinamori…"

He was interrupted by Matsumoto barging in.

"Hinamori! You're all done?" Before Hinamori could so much as open her mouth, Rangiku went on. "I have tickets to a rock concert! There all yours if you take Taicho."

"Thank you so much Rangiku-san! What do you say Shiro-chan?" Her eyes sparkled with delight as she looked at him. How could he say no?

"Fine."

"Arigato Shiro-chan!" Hinamori walked over and hugged him, before Rangiku hugged Hinamori.

"Think of it as your birthday present from me! Okay? By the way where's your gift Taicho?" She said as she let go of Hinamori, who was struggling to get her breathing under control.

"I must have left it at the office."

"You got me a gift Shiro-chan? Arigato!"

She hugged him again and Hitsugaya could feel his cheeks get hotter. Truth was his gift was still in shipping.

"Oi, Matsumoto!"

His lieutenant looked at him. "Hmmm?"

"What's a rock concert?" Even geniuses don't know everything.

"Ichigo! Get up!"

"What?" Ichigo sat up and looked at his room. He blinked his eyes in surprise to see Rukia and Renji standing there. Rukia was dressed in a short polka dot dress and Renji in Bermuda shorts with a flowered t-shirt. Ichigo burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" the hot-headed redhead demanded.

"Look at yourself!" Ichigo hollered between fits of laughter, as he grabbed his stomach.

Renji grabbed Ichigo's shirt and pulled him to where his forehead hit Ichigo's. "Shut-up it wasn't my idea! Rangiku dressed me up."

"Renji, Ichigo! Let's go, we're late!"

Ichigo stopped laughing when Renji let go and fell back in bed giving Rukia a quizzical glance. "Late for what?"

Rukia glared at him. "A concert."

Ichigo looked at her hard. "What type of concert?"

Rukia sighed. "Do you want me to explain everything now or on the way?"

Ichigo shrugged and got up off his bed. "Are you gonna let me get dressed?" Renji and Rukia left and waited outside. Ichigo slipped out of his teddy bear PJ's and into a black t-shirt and jeans. When Ichigo opened the door Rukia already had a senkaimon gate opened.

"What? I thought you said we were going to a concert!"

"We are." And she shoved Ichigo through, and then followed. Renji went last and the gate close.

On the other side they were standing in a field of short grass. Set-up a little ways away was a stage and instruments. Guitars, drums, microphones, among other things.

"Oi, Rukia. How is it I came through and I wasn't a shingami?"

Rukia smacked Ichigo upside the head.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"

"Do I have to explain everything to you! It was a rietsu convertor! The bounts used it remember?"

Ichigo calmed down. "Oh.

"Rukia what type of concert is this? It looks like a rock concert."

Rukia looked at him with a blank look and then turned to Renji. "What's a rock concert?"

"Beats me. Oi, Ichigo what's a rock concert?" Ichigo, in reply, merely hung his head and sighed sadly. Thinking to himself. How are we late when there's no one here?

Hinamori looked at the 13th division barracks. She was dressed in a blue t-shirt, Capri's, and a short denim jacket. "The concert is here? Rangiku-san you said a lot of people are coming…"

"Hai! Momo-chan! The band uses a special kido that makes a room attached to another place where there is enough room!" Her voice high-pitched and loud. She was dressed in a provocative skirt that would make any guy, but Hitsugaya, have a nosebleed; and a tank top that was a bit lower then her Taicho might want…

"Uruse, Matsumoto. You making my ears hurt." Hitsugaya mocked. He was dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans.

"Ano, you're so mean Taicho!"

"Uruse."

"Come on Shiro-chan!" Hinamori said as she pulled his arm and him away from Matsumoto and toward the 13th squad's barracks. Her back facing the barracks. She turned and he noticed that her hair was down.

"Oi, Hinamori…" he stopped himself. She'll probably put it up or be embarrassed if I say anything. Best leave it alone. I rather like her hair

down…

A voice interrupted his thoughts. "What is it Shiro-chan? Is something wrong?" Her eyes showed her concern. He realized he must have been staring off into space.

"Iie, its nothing bed wetter." He said with a smirk.

"I don't wet the bed Shiro-chan!" Her mouth went into a pout.

"Whatever, bed wetter."

"Shiro-chan!" Hinamori turned around and stormed into 13th division barracks.

Behind him Matsumoto was giggling.

"What is it Matsumoto?"
She stopped laughing and smiled. "Nothing Taicho." She headed toward the barracks herself. Toshiro, realizing he was left alone, followed. All the while thinking… Hinamori is adorable…

Upon entering, the trio saw that the barracks were empty, except for Captain Ukitake.

"Hello Shiro-chan, Hinamori-kun, and Rangiku-kun!" The white haired Taicho of the 13th division raised his hand a waved. He began walking toward them.

"Oi, Ukitake, don't call me that."

"Hello Ukitake Taicho! Where is everyone?" A curious Hinamori asked.

"Oh! They are all at the concert. Unohana Taicho said that I shouldn't go."

"Oh."

"Bye Hitsugaya, Hinamori-kun, and Rangiku-kun!" He waved as he walked past them.

"Bye Ukitake Taicho!" Rangiku eagerly yelled. "Come on guys, I'll show you the way. Unfortunately, I didn't get tickets for myself… Anyway here are your tickets and back stage passes."

"Ano, Rangiku-san, you didn't say anything about backstage passes…" Hinamori stated, confused.

"Oh! They let you meet the band after the show."

"Okay."

Rangiku lead them down several hallways before stopping in front of a door that had a guy in front of it,

"Tickets please." The heavy built, dark skinned, man asked.

"This is where I leave you guys! Oh. And put those backstage passes around your neck and under your shirt until after the show. K? K. Chow!"

She was gone. Hinamori and Hitsugaya looked at each other and handed their tickets to the man. Then they complied with what Matsumoto said before she left. The man looked at the tickets, tore an edge off, and handed the almost whole tickets back.

"Have a nice concert." He said and opened the door at the same time.

Hinamori thought of something. "Shiro-chan, What's chow mean?"

Upon entering the "room", Hitsugaya immediately noticed Ichigo and company hanging out at the back. The place was packed with people. A stage was set up at the far end, and people in uniforms were milling around and tapping there feet. He felt a tug on his arm and was pulled toward Kira, and Renji, with surprising force.

Master, I suggest you walk with her.

Hitsugaya realized that must have again been staring off into space and quickly maneuvered himself by Hinamori, so that he was walking through people with Hinamori on his right.

Hinamori still gripped his arm tightly and he realized that she was afraid. So he took the lead and her hand. Guiding her gently trough people to the back wall that appeared to not be there. It blended in really, like a mirror that didn't show people. The only sign it was there were the people leaning against its length. Sighing he realized that this was going to be a loud party.

When they were finally in view of their friends Hitsugaya felt Hinamori's arm relax slightly, but not all the way. Ichigo waved and He led Hinamori over that way. When they were standing not a foot away from Ichigo, Rukia and Renji appeared.

"Hi, Hinamori. What are you doing here?" Renji asked.

Hinamori beamed and smiled. "Today's my birthday, Renji-kun! Shiro-chan brought me here."

Renji smiled and Ichigo winked at Hitsugaya. Hitsugaya blinked in confusion.

Master, I suggest you don't dwell on it.

You're right like always Hyorinmaru.

Rukia watched in amusement and spoke to Hinamori next. "Kira is over there if you want to say hi."

Hinamori nodded and let go of Hitsugaya. As she walked away, it clicked in his head that he might not like what Rukia just did. He ducked into the crowd after her.

Ichigo chuckled to himself as he watched Hitsugaya disappear. "That was mean midget."

"Shut up."

Ichigo looked at Rukia and saw a smile on her lips. Renji noticed too and chuckled. This was going to be an interesting night.

"Ya, Ichigo!" Ichigo turned to see someone he did not recognize. The girl sighed. She had brown hair and hazel eyes. Her hair was in a neat and tight ponytail. She wore jeans and a t-shirt that said- Don't talk unless you have something to say. She looked him hard in the eyes and curtly turned to Renji who HAD recognized her. "Fine, then. Renji where's my captain?"

Rukia responded for him. "Hey, Lin. He followed Hinamori into the crowd a minute ago to see Kira." At the statement, the girl named Lin smirked knowingly.

"Thanks! Do you recognize me now Ichigo?"

Ichigo blinked at the memory and shuddered. "Your Toshiro's third seat right?"

Lin nodded and started to chat with Rukia. Both Ichigo and Renji stayed as far away from her as possible without leaving Rukia. Lin was known as the "protective" third seat. Meaning that she easily kicked their asses.

Hitsugaya met up with Hinamori in the middle of the crowd to see her chatting lightly with Kira. For obvious reasons he felt angry and jealous. He knew, by now, what this feeling was and easily suppressed it.

You are very cute master.

Uruse!

"Hinamori."

She squealed and turned around to glare at him. He chuckled.

"Scare easy?"

"I do not! You just surprised me." This caused Kira to laugh. She twirled on one foot and glared at him. Kira, unused to her being mad, turned stark white and shut his mouth. Hitsugaya laughed. She then turned and glared again at him.

"Shiro-chan!" She whined.

Hitsugaya stopped laughing and smirked. "It's Hitsugaya Taicho. H-I –t –s –u –g –a –y –a - t-a –I –c –h -o!"

"I know how to spell your name, SHIROOOO-CHAAAAAAAAAAN!"

Hitsugaya sighed and glared at Kira, who was stifling laughter. Kira felt the temp drop and sobered immediately. Hinamori witnessed the exchanged and giggled.

Sighing again Hitsugaya stood next to Hinamori and pulled her back toward Ichigo and the others. His hand holding hers firmly, but gently, to insure that she didn't get separated from him again. He thought about his conversation with Hyorinmaru this morning before seeing Hinamori.

Master.

The voice of his friend rang in his ears. Quietly standing up, Hitsugaya Taicho made his way out side and sat down under a tree. Pulling Hyorinmaru out, he gently laid his sword across his lap and concentrated on it. He felt the tug on his consciousness as he drifted into his inner world.

He opened his eyes, not realizing that he had closed them in the first place, and turned his head slightly to view all of Hyorinmaru. The ice dragon towered over him with his wings beating slightly.

"Master, you wish to speak?" Hyorinmaru's mouth did not move, but the question was there.

Hitsugaya sat down and gestured to his dragon. Hyorinmaru tilted his head and slithered down beside his master, forming a circle around him. Hitsugaya hesitated on asking his friend.

"Master. If this is about Hinamori, you do not have to say anything. Know what you feel, master, especially when it comes to her. I am a part of you, so I can give you my advice. One thing I cannot give is the answer, which is yours to determine." Hyorinmaru laid his head at his master's feet and titled it to where he was facing the same way as Hitsugaya's left side. "You have strong feelings, which is true. Yet, you fear what she will say. Do not. You and she have a bond. One as powerful as ours, and as powerful as her's with Tobiume. If you tell her I am sure she will not leave you. If she does not return your feelings, it will be awkward for a while. In the end though, you will always be her best friend. Remember that."

Hitsugaya looked at the sky and nodded absently. "Today is her birthday. Make sure you wish Tobiume congrats."

If possible, Hyorinmaru seemed to smile and blush. That is impossible though, so he must not have. Hitsugaya tilted his head and smirked, as his inner world dissolved around him and he was back outside.

Hitsugaya felt himself come back to the party and noticed he had stopped walking. Hinamori peered at him with concern. He shook his head and smiled at her. She wasn't convinced.

Ichigo started laughing. Refocusing Hinamori's attention was easier said then done. Lin laughed too, as well as Rukia and Renji. He glared at all of them except Lin. She was scary, even to him. Hinamori giggled at his avoidance of Lin. A loud bell sounded, turning their attention to the stage.

A man walked out stage and everyone gasped. He was wearing jeans and a black t-shirt. He was thinner and younger, but tall. But what made everyone gasped was his looks.

Author's note: I tried to get out grammatical errors and spelling errors. I know I am not the best of writer's, don't kill me with sticks... OR ANYTHING ELSE! Sheesh! Can you believe them? Smart-elics. Anyway, I just wanted to put something out after reading so many good stories. I know there are mistakes in there somewhere, so tell what I can improve on and I will try my best. Any advice is appreciated. In order for you to give me advice though, you have to hit that shiny button that says review. I believe it's blue...