Lieutenant Sasakibe was waiting in the vestibule of the great hall. He was a patient man, so he didn't mind waiting, but it was unusual for someone to be late for an appointment with the General. Even more peculiar, it was Captain Hitsugaya who was running late. The captain of the Tenth Division typically held himself to the highest professional standards. Maybe Captain Kyoraku or former Captain Ichimaru would show up late sometimes, but this had to be a first for Captain Hitsugaya.
Sasakibe idly listened to the rain on the roof – an unexpected spring shower. He finally heard the young captain coming down the hallway. As usual, he was arguing with his lieutenant.
"Captain, I don't see why you're making such a fuss about it."
"I told you, I don't want to talk about it."
"It's a perfectly natural thing. In fact a lot of men would envy you."
"Stop talking about this! I have a meeting with Yamamoto."
"But that's my point. You look good for your meeting. You should be thanking me."
Finally the door opened, and Captain Hitsugaya entered the room. Lieutenant Matsumoto stepped in behind him, dripping wet.
"Captain", Sasakibe said, "I am to accompany you to the General's office."
The two men left Matsumoto and quickly walked through the great hall toward the office of the First Division's captain. Sasakibe was normally discreet, but his curiosity got the better of him. "You're dry", he said questioningly to the young captain.
"Yeah, um…I was walking with my lieutenant on the way over here, and a storm hit." The captain was blushing. He was usually well-spoken, but now he was struggling for words. "She insisted on walking…really…close behind me."
Slowly the image formed in Sasakibe's mind. At the captain's height…
Hitsugaya could barely choke out the rest of the explanation. "She says they're like a natural canopy."