Chapter 2: Mission Impossible

It was still early in the morning but 2nd division was already buzzing lively with shinigami who were, still half asleep, preparing Yoruichi's arrival. Soi Fon had ordered her troops to clean every corner of the headquarters and threatened with severe punishments if anyone dared to slack of. Most of them had been working several hours in a row already, but Soi Fon was relentless and demanded nothing less than perfection. Vice-captain Omaeda had already passed out from exhaustion at this point, and it was unlikely that he would recover before tomorrow. Finally, after hours of unbearable labour, Soi Fon decided that the place was fit enough to receive Yoruichi.

"Okay good work everyone, take a five minute break and then return to your duties." Soi Fon yelled and her tired subordinated dragged themselves as fast as they could out of her sight, in case she would come up with another task for them. Soi Fon made a final tour of the headquarters, saving the inspection of Yoruichi's room for last. She checked every corner for dust or cobwebs, made sure that the door and windows closed properly, and even smelled the bed sheets to make sure they were clean. A jolt of excitement struck her when she sat down on the bed. This was where Yoruichi was going to stay. She would sleep here, undress here, all within this room that was, conveniently, only a few doors away from hers. Soi Fon's mind wandered off and started to create various scenarios in which she and Yoruichi were the main characters. Every new fantasy got more intense that the previous one, up to the point that Soi Fon was hugging the pillow, blushing and slightly giggling. It was in this state that Yugo found his captain when he entered the room.

"Oh, here you are taichou. I was looking for you. Is there still something that...ehm what are you doing?" Soi Fon jumped up and threw the pillow back on the bed. "Nothing! I was just checking if...the bed wasn't too hard. Yes, haha, Yoruichi has a very soft and sensitive skin so she hates hard or rough beds."

"I see...well is it good enough or should I get it changed?" Yugo asked.

"Yes, it's alright, very good." Soi Fon nervously patted the pillow and tried to smile as casual as she could. Yugo slowly nodded, not sure what to think of his captain's strange behaviour.

"Anyway, I'm glad that you're here. I still need to tell you something." Soi Fon quickly continued and she pulled Yugo out of the room. As they were walking down the hall, Soi Fon started to talk in a hushed voice. "I want to discuss the reason why Yoruichi -sama is coming."

"Oh yes. I was wondering about that taichou, since you didn't mention it yesterday." Yugo said quietly, following Soi Fon's example.

"I didn't mention it because I don't know it either." Soi Fon said. "She doesn't give an explanation in her letter."

"Maybe she just wants a break from life in the real world. A holiday or something like that."

"Maybe." Soi Fon said, clearly not convinced. "But I can't help thinking that there's a more serious reason."

"Why don't you just ask her when she arrives?" Yugo suggested. Soi Fon flinched and stopped walking. Yugo looked at his captain and frowned. "What's the matter taichou?"

"I...I don't think I should. I don't want Yoruichi-sama to think that I don't trust her. If she wanted me to know, she would've put it in the letter anyway, right?"

"I guess so." Yugo shrugged.

"So that's why I want you to find out why she is here." Yugo's jaw dropped. Before he could answer, Soi Fon threatingly added. "And that's an official order from your captain."

"But...how am I supposed to get her to tell me something that she won't even tell you taichou?"

"Think of it as a test of your interrogation skills." Soi Fon said and her tone made clear that she wouldn't tolerate any more objections. "Now, let's take another tour of the headquarters to check one final time."

Yugo quietly followed his captain, his brain working at 120%, but no good ideas came to mind. How was he supposed to pull this off? He had only met Yoruichi once in their real world but he knew practically nothing about her. He remembered some stories about her that Soi Fon told him after a training session but he suspected that some of the facts might be a little biased by Soi Fon admiration for Yoruichi. Yugo let out a tired sigh. This would all be a lot easier if his captain would just accept her feelings for her former master. "Maybe I should just ask her directly. She doesn't seem like a person that's easily tricked anyway. If I could just find a way to ask it without her suspecting that taichou is behind it..."

Hitsugaya was in an exceptionally good mood today, even though Matsumoto had called in 'sick' this morning, leaving him alone with a ridiculous amount of work stacked up in his office. Normally this would've been enough to annoy him all day but since he confessed to Hinamori, he saw life as something completely different. So what if he still had a lot of work? He could do half of it in the afternoon, and leave the to Matsumoto to finish tomorrow, when she had recovered from her hangover. This morning his time and attention would be completely dedicated to Hinamori. He would enter her office, greeted by her warm, comforting smile. She would make some tea and they would have breakfast together. Then he would help her with her work, even though she will probably refuse at first, saying that she doesn't want to bother him. He would take her in his arms, kiss her, and whisper in her ear that he liked to be bothered by these thoughts he entered 5th division and impatiently hurried to Hinamori's office. He paused for a moment at the door, then knocked.

"Come in." An unfamiliar, rather unfriendly voice answered and Hitsugaya hesitated for a moment. It seemed that Hinamori wasn't in her office yet. The person inside was probably on of her shinigami. What should he do? Enter and ask where Hinamori was, or leave to find her himself. Before he could make up his mind, the door opened and a tall blonde shinigami appeared.

"Are you deaf, I told you could..." The girl stopped when she saw who was her guest, and her attitude changed. "Oh Hitsugaya taichou! Sorry about that. I was a little caught up in work. My apologies if I sounded rude. It's still early you see and I'm not really a morning person."

"Is Hinamori here?" Hitsugaya asked, ignoring the girl's rambling. The girl didn't answer immediately. Hitsugaya looked past her in the office and saw nobody. "Well I see she isn't. I'll go look for her then. Thank you any...."

"Oh but I don't think she'll be gone long Hitsugaya taichou!" the girl grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. "She's just doing a quick tour of the headquarters. You can just wait here till she comes back"

"Alright." Hitsugaya examined the girl for a moment. When he knocked the door she had sounded quite annoyed, but now she was all smiles. He also had the feeling that he saw her somewhere before. "Ehm, have we met before?"

"Yes Hitsugaya taichou. We met yesterday, right here in this office, although briefly. I'm a new recruit in 5th division. I brought you and Hinamori fukutaichou some tea, remember."

"Oh right, you're Himazawa Asuka ." Hitsugaya said.

"Actually it's Hinamizawa Asuka, taichou." Asuka corrected him politely.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Hinamizawa Asuka."

"Don't worry about it taichou, I'm already happy that you remember me." Asuka said sweetly.

"You're welcome." Hitsugaya said a little uncomfortable. Asuka looked him straight in the eyes when she talked to him, and he wasn't used to that. It was as if she was analysing him, trying to get inside his head.

"Can I get you something to drink taichou? Do you want take a seat?" Asuka offered. Hitsugaya shook his head. "I'll just wait for Hinamori."

Asuka seemed disappointed and her smile melted away for a second. "Alright taichou. Do you mind if I finish my work while you wait?" Hitsugaya shook his head again and Asuka started working again. Hitsugaya watched her from the corner of his eye. she was definitely strange, although he couldn't figure out why. She was filing a pile of papers in a, to Hitsugaya's horror, rather sloppy and uninterested way. It was clear that she didn't want to be doing this but there was still that sweet smile on her face. Then disaster struck . She reached for a sheet of paper without looking and knocked over another pile of papers. The white mountain collapsed on the floor, scattering through the office.

"Oh no! I-I'm sorry taichou!" Asuka cried and quickly started gathering the sheets. Hitsugaya sighed and started helping.

"It's alright. Accidents happen." He said, while collecting the papers. "Though they happen more often if you work so sloppily."

"You don't have to help taichou! It was all my fault." Asuka said.

"It's okay." Hitsugaya mumbled. "I might as well help while I wait."

"You're too kind Hitsugaya taichou!" Another bright and lovely smile appeared on Asuka's face. She didn't look too bothered by the accident, in fact she seemed rather pleased. Hitsugaya didn't try to understand. Women were, as Matsumoto had proven countless times, very strange and unpredictable. Luckily for him, Hinamori wasn't like that, although he had to admit he sometimes wondered what went through her mind.

Hitsugaya continued gathering the papers. There were quite a few of them. The poor clumsy girl had managed to pick out the highest pile on the desk to knock over. He increased his pace and in his impatience, he reached for a sheet that Asuka also wanted to pick up .Their hands touched, Asuka's one top of his.

"Sorry." Hitsugaya quickly said, slightly embarrassed. Asuka just smiled. "Don't say that, I love your touch taichou."

Hitsugaya blinked, not sure if he had heard her correctly. "What did you say , Hinamizawa?"

I said I love your touch taichou." Asuka's hand softly stroked his own. "I also like the way you say my name. Could you please say it again?"

"I-I beg your pardon?" Hitsugaya was flustered now. Asuka grabbed his hand and leant closer to him. Her mouth was now right next to his ear and he could feel the warmth of her breath.

"Is something wrong taichou?" she whispered innocently but her eyes shone mischievously. "Are you feeling okay? Your face is quite red."

Hitsugaya was too dumbfounded to react. What was she trying to do? Was this some kind of joke or was she really flirting with him? He pulled his hand free and quickly got up. Asuka grinned and got up too.

"You still look quite red taichou." she said. "Do you want me to walk you to 4th division?" Her voice suddenly became very playful. "Or should I examine you myself?"

"I-I don't think you're qualified for that." Hitsugaya stammered. Asuka laughed at the shocked reaction on his face. "You're cute when you are in a panic taichou."

Hitsugaya was at a loss for words. This girl beat even Matsumoto in the awkwardness department. Fortunately for him, Hinamori entered the office at that moment. He turned his attention towards her, avoiding Asuka's gaze. "Hinamori, I'm glad you're here." he sighed relieved.

"Shiro-chan. What a surprise! I didn't know you were coming today. I was on a tour of the building. Did you have to wait long?" Hinamori said with a perfect smile. Hitsugaya managed to calm down. The sight of Hinamori's lovely face was all he needed. "Don't worry about that. I'm glad you're here."

"You already said that Shiro-chan." Hinamori laughed and Hitsugaya blushed. Then she noticed the pile of papers on the ground, and Asuka standing in the middle of it. "Did something happen?"

"Oh, I just had an accident fukutaichou." Asuka said, trying to keep up her smile. Inside she was boiling with anger. "Hitsugaya taichou helped me to pick them up."

"Don't worry about it. I'll take over from here Asuka-san." Hinamori said. "I need someone to over to 4th division to check up on some of our shinigami who are hospitalised. Could you go ask Unohana taichou about their condition?"

"I will fukutaichou." Asuka muttered and she quickly left the office. Hinamori started to pick up the papers and Hitsugaya joined her, relieved that Asuka had left.

"Don't blame her Shiro-chan. Asuka's new so she's still getting used to all the work. She is a nice girl though." Hinamori said when they were done. Hitsugaya grimaced.

"Well, she seems rather...nice, I guess." Hitsugaya shook his head. It was better to forget everything that had happened before. He probably misunderstood her anyway, and he didn't want to bother Hinamori with his suspicions when he had no actual proof. He decided to focus his attention now on something that was far more important to him: Hinamori.

Asuka was furious. She angrily paced through the streets of Seireitei on her way to 4th division. Why did that cow have to enter now? She just knew that 'Shiro-chan' was close to surrendering to her charm. It all went so well. The knocking over of the pile of paper, Hitsugaya helping her out, their hands touching. Everything had gone according to her plan, except for her meddling vice-captain. Asuka cried out in frustration, startling some shinigami that she passed.

"Dammit, dammit! I was so close! One more minute, just one more minute and he would've given in. Argh I can't stand this! Next time I'll tie him to a chair and barricade the door. What was holding him back anyway? He should be flattered that he gets attention from a girl like me. Oh well, I'm not giving up yet so you better watch out, captain Shiro-chan."

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and plz review with your comments' Next chapter will be: Cat Sitting for beginners