Your tears ran
like the melting snow.
And I could be neither the sun,
nor wind to stop them

-X-

"Shoot 'em, Shinso," Gin Ichimaru whispered. The sword's blade extended and bore through Aizen's spine. Every shinigami present looked on with shock as the former fifth division captain's body fell ungracefully down into Gin's arms. Ichimaru smiled as he took his blade out, admiring the blood on it. All was silent until Gin raised his sword and brought it down to the middle of Aizen's neck. He left it lodged into Aizen's flesh, then started to skewer to the left, working a slow and painful decapitation. The playful grin never left his face.

"C-captain!" Momo Hinamori yelled, starting towards her former mentor. "Captain Aizen!" Rangiku Matsumoto instinctively grabbed her, restraining the younger shinigami tightly. Rangiku gently stroked Momo's black hair, whispering to her in soothing tones as she looked sourly on at the scene before them. 'When did you become an animal, Gin?' she thought as Gin finished severing Aizen's head.

Flinging Aizen's lifeless body over his shoulder, Gin turned and smiled at all the captains and vice-captains. "Sorry," he drawled as the pale yellow lights of negation began to pull him and Kaname Tousen away. "But we gotta go. I ain't ready ta die yet." His closed eyes seemed to focus on Matsumoto as he was lifted towards the heavens. She shuddered, leaning into Hinamori's body.

Shuuhei Hisagi sat by Izuru Kira on a demolished building miles away from Rangiku and Momo. He watched bitterly as his former captain fled, once again.

"Coward," he spat out, resting his head on his hand, the fingers covering the 69 tattoo by his left eye.

"Indeed." Shuuhei looked up to see the towering form of Sajin Komamura beside him. "And that is why he must die." The giant fox captain shook his head. "I failed to awaken him. All that is left is to put him to sleep, forever." Shuuhei nodded in agreement.

"When that day comes, I'll help you."

Toushiro Hitsugaya appeared beside them. "New report from Captain Kuchiki in Hueco Mundo," he said briskly. "All of the Espada that were there, aside from one, have been eliminated. Orihime Inoue has destroyed the Hougokyu."

Kira's sad eyes widened. "Then that means that…"

"Yes," Hitsugaya said. "The Winter War is over."

-X-

Shuuhei sighed and scribbled his signature across the bottom of a piece of paper. He had no idea that Captains had so much paperwork to do. Combined with his normal Vice-Captain work, the scarred shinigami barely had time for himself.

"I believe that is all for today," said the hulking figure of Captain Komamura. "I shall take my leave of you and your division."

"Ah, thank you for your help, Captain," Shuuhei said, hurriedly standing and bowing before his superior. "I don't think I could to do this all without your help."

Komamura smiled fondly at the shorter man. In the months following the Winter War, the two had developed a strong friendship. "Well, there was influx in paperwork after the war. Even some of the other Captains are having troubles staying caught up." He chuckled lowly. "I hear Captain Hitsugaya is even grumpier than usually. Ah, speaking of which." Komamura bent down to pick up a stack of papers. "I should drop these off at his division."

"Oh, I'll do that," Shuuhei said offhandedly. He made to grab the papers from the Seventh Division Captain.

"Hm?" Komamura arched an eyebrow, and moving the papers out of Shuuhei's grasp. It was an easy feat for one so tall. "Are you sure? It is on the way back to my division."

"I need the fresh air," Shuuhei said, jumping and taking the papers out of Komamura's paws. "And I might see Hinamori there, too. I haven't seen her for awhile."

"I see…" Komamura suspected another reason for Shuuhei's eagerness. "I shall be on my way, then." He reached the door in several steps then stopped just before the exit, sniffing the air. "Spring has finally arrived, it seems," he said, smiling. "I expect preparations for the Festival will begin soon."

Shuuhei joined him at the door, peering outside. The snow had been melted for some time, and flowers were beginning to bloom. His subordinates were starting to spend their free time outside, around the small garden and pond in the center of the Ninth Division quarters. Shuuhei did not have time for such luxuries, but he spent a small while on his porch each night, drinking tea and relaxing with the rising moon.

"The Spring Festival, huh?" Shuuhei said, running a hand through his messy black hair. "That'll be the first big event since the war, wouldn't it, Captain?

Komamura nodded. "The Captain-Commander had us go straight to rebuilding. We had no time to celebrate. I expect that the Festival will be an especially joyous occasion this year." He walked out of the door and started to his division. "I will see you there, Vice-Captain Hisagi."

Shuuhei leaned in the doorway a while longer, watching the branches of a willow tree blow, before heading to the Tenth Division.

-X-

"Matsumoto, are you asleep again?" Hitsugaya hissed as he stood menacingly over the limp form of vice-captain. "Because if you are, I'll have to –"

"You'll have to what, Captain?" Matsumoto smiled sweetly as she raised her head, curls of strawberry-blonde hair falling onto the desk. She propped her face on her knuckles. "I just had to get really close to the report because Kira writes so damn small." She made sure the document was hidden from her captain's cold green eyes as she lied.

Hitsugaya sighed and rubbed his temples. "Just read faster then." He knew she was lying, but he was not in the mood to argue. He turned and walked back to his desk, calling over shoulder, "And no sake until you have those all signed and on my desk." Matsumoto rolled her eyes and made a rude gesture when his back was turned before returning to her work.

Hinamori giggled at the two from where she sat in the corner. While doing her paperwork at the Tenth Division might raise some eyebrows among Soul Society, she found it easier to focus in the different, yet familiar environment. The Fifth Division still held too many painful memories for her. She stopped writing for a second and collected herself before continuing.

Hitsugaya glanced over at the desk where Hinamori was working. While she had made a faster physical recovery than anticipated, Captain Unohana had expressed concerns over her mental state, especially with Aizen's recent death. Following the Fourth Captain's secret orders, Hitsugaya was with Hinamori every chance he had. Unohana believed that being around friends would help to ease the vice-captain back into normal life. So far, her theory appeared to be working quite well, but Hitsugaya was concerned about how Hinamori would react with the upcoming festivals.

He sighed and turned back to his own work. The piles of papers waiting for his signature never seemed to get any lower. 'Probably because Matsumoto sneaks her work in with mine,' he mentally grumbled.

Looking at his vice-captain, Hitsugaya was astonished. Matsumoto was working without complaining, slouching in her seat or spilling sake over her papers. She was sitting straight and quickly reading and signing documents. He could tell by the movement of her grey eyes that she wasn't skimming her work, but that she was merely focused. The only other time he could recall her acting similar was after Gin defected.

Hitsugaya returned to his own work, now understanding the change in his subordinate's demeanor. It was widely unspoken, but understood, in the Soul Society that there had been something between Gin and Matsumoto. There were disagreements about whether or not it was just sex or a meaningful relationship, but the primary reason men would not approach Matsumoto was because of fear of angering Gin. While she never mentioned Gin's defecation, moments like these showed that its effect on her was apparent. He knew this somber side of her would disappear in a few days, but it always managed to show its face again.

All three shinigami worked in silence for awhile. The occasionally cool breeze would come in through the open windows, but there were no other disruptions. It was a relaxing spring afternoon. The calm atmosphere was even beginning to affect Hitsugaya, who could feel his eyelids growing heavier. Hinamori would visibly nod off, only to wake up a few seconds lately, hands automatically going to her black hair to adjust her bun. Matsumoto was the sole person in the room unaffected by the peacefulness of the day.

Two short, sharp knocks on the door brought them to attention.

"Come in," Hitsugaya called, still looking at the paper before him. He could have sworn he just read the same line five times without realizing it.

The door slid open and Shuuhei walked into the room with a handful of documents. "These are the copies of the Ninth Division's field reports, Captain Hitsugaya." He handed them over to the shorter man. Hitsugaya liked that Shuuhei always remembered to call him "captain."

"Captain Hitsugaya…you're still forcing people to call you that, Shiro-chan?" Hinamori giggled. Hitsugaya's features fell quickly into his trademark scowl.

"It is only proper to refer to your superiors with due respect," he said. "Bed-wetter Momo." She stuck her tongue out at him.

Matsumoto and Shuuhei both smiled at the two younger shinigami. Matsumoto was always happy to see her captain loosen up and act his age once in awhile. He only seemed to do that with Hinamori. Shuuhei was glad to see Hinamori laughing. The depressed girl that used to sulk in her quarters was not the Hinamori he knew. Seeing her happy and laughing was a rare treasure for him.

Shuuhei let Hitsugaya and Hinamori bicker for a bit longer before interrupting. "Do you have the submissions for the Communicator, captain? I need to start editing." Hitsugaya nodded and handed the articles over to him. Looking up, he noticed circles underneath Shuuhei's eyes.

"How is the Ninth division doing, Hisagi?" Hitsugaya asked, arching an eyebrow.

"All right," Shuuhei replied offhandedly. "I've put the third seat in charge of training, and Captain Komamura helps out with the paperwork when I'm behind."

'How often are you actually asking for help, Shuuhei?' Matsumoto thought, looking at the man for the first time since he entered.Shuuhei's normal straight stance was slightly slouched. The three vertical scars below his right eye seemed as if they were weighing him down. Even his dark eyes seemed to be swallowing him up. She knew he had incredible pride, but wondered how long it would take for that same pride to hurt him.

"Is that so? Well, don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it." Hitsugaya glanced over at Hinamori. "You should probably head back to the Fifth Division. I'll walk you there. I have a Captain's meeting soon, anyway." He turned his gaze towards Shuuhei. "Will you stay with Matsumoto while I'm gone? She's liable to search for the sake that I hid from her. I need someone to keep her still and working."

"Captain! That's not true! I can drink and work!"

Shuuhei glanced over at the indignant Matsumoto with a smirk. "If you insist, sir," he said with a slightly exaggerated bow.

"Thank you." Hitsugaya stood up, as did Hinamori. "I will see you soon."

"We're still having dinner tonight, right, Shuuhei?" Hinamori asked. Shuuhei nodded. She smiled and waved as she left with Hitsugaya.

Shuuhei slid into the seat where Hinamori had been, taking out a pen. 'I might as well get some work done,' he thought, starting to read the articles.

"You're actually going to do work?" He looked up to see Matsumoto staring at him from behind Hitsugaya's desk, a dark green bottle of sake in her hand.

"How did you find it so fast?!"

Matsumoto grinned. "He always hides it in the same place. But that doesn't matter." She took a long drink. "You should be relaxing right now," she said, offering the bottle to him.

'I'm getting relaxed just looking at you,' he thought, drinking in the sight of her leaning on her elbows over Hitsugaya's desk, her face cradled in her left palm. The pale pink sash she wore over robes was in a tangle on the surface, and her hair was covering just enough of her chest for him to be intrigued.

He shook his head. "I have too much to do. If I get this done now, it's one less thing I have to do tonight."

"Oh? Does that mean we'll see you at the bar tonight?" She took another sip out of the bottle. "Or that you have something else you'd rather do?"

He shook his head. "I just don't drink much anymore." He made some marks on the paper.

"Is that so? Does that mean you're not even going to enjoy the Spring Festival?"

"'Course I will," he mumbled. Shuuhei looked up, trying to imitate Hitsugaya's infamous scowl. "Shouldn't you be working?"

"I'm working on making you fun again." Matsumoto smiled and returned the bottle the drawer where Hitsugaya had attempted to hide it from her. "You used to be much more relaxed."

"Maybe I just grew up and moved on." Shuuhei did not appreciate this interrogation of his habits. While he admired Rangiku's carefree lifestyle, he did not want it forced upon him.

He looked up when he didn't hear a retort from her. Rangiku's eyes clouded over for a brief second. "I suppose you're right," she said, walking back to her desk and sitting down. "I'm going back to work."

"Matsum-"

"It's hard to concentrate if you're talking." Her tone was flat and dull. There was no hint of the playful flute-like timbre that he had just heard from her. Shuuhei closed his mouth and focused his eyes on the article in front of him. He didn't read a word of it, just skimmed his eyes around to make it look like he was doing something. He would occasionally steal a glance at Rangiku, who was working with the same intensity he had seen earlier when he walked in. He couldn't help but notice how off it seemed, not because it went against her lazy reputation, but because she looked so detached from the world.

Eventually, he started to edit again. The two vice-captains worked in silence until Hitsugaya walked back in, a look of shock crossing his face when he saw Rangiku.

"I didn't think you would actually be able to keep her working," he said, crossing his arms and looking at Shuuhei with a hint of admiration. "Good job." He noticed his vice-captain's downcast demeanor. "Matsumoto, I have some good news for you." He turned towards Shuuhei. "You should stay and hear this, too." Shuuhei nodded.

"Hm? What is it, Captain?" Rangiku looked up after she finished signing her name on a document.

"Orihime Inoue will be staying with you for a while."

Rangiku's depressed-looking face immediately brightened. "Orihime?! Why is she coming to Soul Society? Why is she staying with me?" Shuuhei smiled inwardly at her change in mood. A frowning Matsumoto was nowhere near as attractive as a smiling Matsumoto.

Hitsugaya sat down in the chair behind his desk before explaining. "Her and Ichigo Kurosaki will be staying in Soul Society for an indefinite period of time."

"Indefinite?" Shuuhei asked, giving Hitsugaya his full attention.

Hitsugaya nodded. "We're uncertain as to whether or not Aizen is truly dead or not. While it is unlikely that he used his zanpaktou's power again, there is still the possibility. And if he is still alive, he will most likely try to recreate the Hougokyu."

"Which he would need Orihime's power to do," Matsumoto said. Hitsugaya nodded again.

"So, Soul Society is pretty much guarding her?" Shuuhei asked.

"Right," said Hitsugaya. "Her and Kurosaki have been invited to stay in Soul Society under the pretense of training to hone their abilities. Uryuu Ishida and Yasatora Sado were also invited, but both declined."

"Will Kurosaki be staying with our division as well?" Matsumoto asked.

"No. He'll be with the Thirteenth. We figured that it would seem more natural if the shinigami who lodged at Inoue's and Kurosaki's residences offered their homes to them as a return favor. They'll be arriving at the end of the week. That is all."

Shuuhei nodded. "Should I inform my division of this?"

Hitsugaya shook his head. "Only the Captains and Vice-Captains should know the full details."

"Understood. I'll be leaving then." Shuuhei picked up his reports and walked out.

The office returned to silence as the remaining shinigami returned to paperwork. Finally, Hitsugaya looked up and said, "Matsumoto, you should stop for the day. It's just about suppertime." She nodded and stretched as she stood, looking out the window. Dusk had crept up on them, the setting sun's beams illuminating the dust floating about in the office.

She was just about to leave when her captain's voice stopped her. "Matsumoto, wait a second." She turned around and looked at him. Now that he was standing, Rangiku could see how the War had affected her Captain. He had grown a little bit, but was still far shorter than her. The angles of his face had hardened and his eyes had grown colder. The motherly instinct inside of her beamed, proud of the man he was becoming.

"What is it, Captain?" She feigned a face of annoyance and crossed her arms.

"Do you want to have dinner together tonight? Like old times?"

Rangiku blinked a few times. When she was first assigned as Hitsugaya's vice-captain, they would have dinner together once a week as a way to get acquainted. They haven't done so in years.

She smiled at him. "Of course, Captain. Let's get going." He nodded and led the way out of the Tenth Division and to their favorite restaurant.

Note: I'm kind of ignoring the latest chapters [from Allon's appearance onward] since I had started writing this before I read those chapters, though information gleaned from those chapters may be used as I see necessary.

Constructive criticism, please.

July 31, 2009 – Westernized Hitsugaya's name in the introduction to make it consistent with the rest, fixed some typos, and cleaned up/tightened some sentences.