Hi there!

Well, I have to thank you guys for the comments! I love you al! I was really reluctant about this because of the serious OcC and the situations, but I'm glad, so far, you like the story.

So here is chapter 2!

Read and Enjoy!

Chapter 2

The dark side of the moon

It was still dark when he opened his eyes to the darkness of the room. The blankets over his body were too warm and suffocating for him, so very slowly he started taking them off while trying to remember the events of the night before.

This ended up being a mistake from his part.

His body was hurting all over and he still could feel the punches he received from the traitor. But that wasn't the worst of it; his memory was bringing back what he had almost done to Matsumoto. Guiltiness filled him when his mind replayed his misbehaviour. When he remembered he had failed yet another loved one.

Putting a hand on his side, Toshiro sat up and moved to the side of the bed. He wanted to leave the Fourth Division and go directly to his office. If there was something about last night he would actually do it was sign the transfer papers for Rangiku.

Of course; she would be better off if she is away from you, Master. Toshiro cringed at the icy tone coming from Hyorinmaru. The dragon had never talked to him in such a way, he was usually more familiar and…warm. But, could he blame him?

'I know it bothers you, but…'

Save it, Master. I'm getting tired of your excuses. And with those words Hyorinmaru cut his link with Toshiro.

The young Captain sighed exasperatedly, lost and confused. His fight last night with Gin had done nothing to improve his mood or his feelings. If anything, it made the situation even worse. To see how desperate the man was to protect Rangiku, to still stand by her side where Toshiro had failed to do so.

"Ah, I see you have woken up, Hitsugaya-taichou." Toshiro didn't have to turn to know Ukitake was behind him. He didn't need to turn around to know and visualize the disappointment in Ukitake's eyes.

"Anything I can do for you, Ukitake-soutaichou?" Ukitake pursed his lips in disapproval while walking towards the young Captain.

"You did it again, didn't you?" Toshiro tensed up at the question but he didn't say anything, merely followed Ukitake's presence walking around the room. "Only this time he responded in kind to your treatment. And this is the first time he has done this, which leads me to what I came here to talk to you about: why?"

Toshiro tilted his head to evade Ukitake's piercing eyes on him, "I don't understand what you are trying to say."

"Why did Ichimaru Gin hit you back when he had never done so before?" said Ukitake and his voice was filled with authority. "He must have a good reason, and let's not forget your reason this time to go over there and hit the man."

Time seemed to freeze for a few minutes in which Toshiro thought of all the possible answers he could give Ukitake without giving away too much. The man was already disappointed in him, he didn't need to give him yet another reason.

"I don't know what are you talking about, Ukitake," said Toshiro with an even and collected voice. "I went down there to…relax some and the situation got out of hand."

Ukitake let his eyes fall on the figure of Hitsugaya Toshiro and the man couldn't help but wonder what had gone wrong to lead Toshiro to his present attitude. It was not the first time he fought with the prisoner, but it also was not the first time he was hurt and recovering in the Fourth division. Though this time it seemed to be for different, and more dangerous, reasons than fighting with Ichimaru.

Ukitake closed his eyes and made his way to the door. Just before he left he tried once more, "Are you sure, Hitsugaya-taichou? You don't have anything else to say?"

"No, I don't," answered Toshiro after a moment of hesitation.

"So, this has nothing to do with Rangiku-san's marks on her neck? You didn't have anything to do with it? " tried Ukitake once more. This time there was a change in Toshiro; he tensed up and his reiatsu flickered with strong emotions before being concealed once again.

Toshiro finally turned and locked his eyes to Ukitake's, the new soutaichou frowned at the half smirk Toshiro was presenting him. "Again, what are you talking about, Ukitake? I haven't seen my lieutenant since yesterday afternoon."

Ukitake's disappointment was evident and for a brief moment Toshiro regretted his words and his attitude. There was a long moment of silence, then with a last glance Ukitake left. Toshiro turned his attention to the window, feeling a little hurt and confused but not knowing why exactly he was feeling that way.

He had done what he had wanted to do, right?

It was already late when Matsumoto entered the office at the Tenth division barracks. She had felt nervous at first, thinking about her Taichou and how awkward it would be for them to see each other again after what had happened the night before.

But he wasn't there when she arrived.

The office was empty and, to outsiders, it would look as if no one had been there early in the morning. But Matsumoto wasn't an outsider, and she was so used to her Taichou's presence that she could still feel traces of his reiatsu about.

Unwittingly, she lifted a hand to her neck, caressing it softly while she made her way to her desk, the memory of last night still fresh and pressing inside her mind. What was worst was that Shunsui and Ukitake had seen the marks of Toshiro's fingers around her neck.

She tried to convince them it wasn't anything to worry about and the man who had done it had already paid. They didn't look convinced and Matsumoto knew why. She had made plans for the night before to spend her time with her Taichou; she had talked about those plans to almost everyone she needed to get involved or merely wanted to hear her.

What was more; Ukitake had seen her and Toshiro leave the place together. But, she couldn't say anything, she couldn't confirm their suspicious because…

You don't have a valid reason, eh? Rangiku shook her head to Haineko's words. Her zanpakutou snorted but remained silent, waiting for Rangiku to say or do something.

'This is something I have to do alone.'

He is stronger than you. The implications of that fact had already been considered by Rangiku. She knew what Haineko meant and she understood her zanpakutou's concern. The thing was, no one knew her Taichou the way she did. Not even Haineko.

I know that, Rangiku. But, Hyorinmaru knows Hitsugaya better than you.

'What's that suppose to mean? You mean Hyorinmaru has given up on Toshiro? Isn't it a zanpakutou's duty to communicate with his master?'

Only if said Master wanted to do the same; in Hitsugaya's case he has stopped. There was a pause from Haineko and Rangiku felt her hesitation and trepidation. A characteristic she would never relate to her zanpakutou, which made her realize Haineko was hiding something.

'Haineko, if you know something…'

Sorry, Rangiku. But is not my secret to tell.

The woman was about to reply to her zanpakutou's words when something caught her attention. On her desk was a single piece of paper whereas the rest of the desk, even her Taichou's, lacked paperwork.

Matsumoto looked over at the sheet of paper and scowled at it. It was a transfer form, her transfer form to be more precise.

It had been filled with her Taichou's neat and careful handwriting, requesting her immediate transfer to the division she would like to go to. The only thing left for her was her signature and the transfer would be official, it even had Ukitake's signature.

He really wanted her gone, far away from him.

Memories of the happenings the night before tried to invade Matsumoto's mind but the woman shook them away.

With a smile that was both sad and amused at the same, time she crumpled the paper and threw it in the trash can.

What had happened the night before was in the past, it had been scary and she had felt…a lot of things she didn't want to remember. But now was the present and she had already decided to do something, to not give up on him.

Though, in this case, she had to go back to the past. Did her Taichou really think she would obey? That she would sign the form?

It wasn't the first time he did something like this, ten years after he had been named her Taichou, the boy was fed up with her lack of enthusiasm for office work and her fixation with parties and drinks. He actually signed her transfer form and told her in her face he wanted her gone.

Haineko chuckled and Rangiku smiled a little when she remembered how she had cried and told her Taichou she would change and do her share of the work.

Her Taichou was already hesitant about his decision, uncomfortable because he had made the woman cry; but Matsumoto had to admit, it was thanks to Gin's intervention her Taichou changed his mind immediately. The moment Gin told the white-haired boy of his intentions of getting Rangiku for his squad Toshiro ripped the transfer form and told Rangiku to get to work.

Gin, as traitorous a bastard as he was, knew how to use people for his and Rangiku's benefit.

And well, in not less than 20 minutes she was sleeping on the sofa and her Taichou was doing her share of the paperwork, all thoughts of transferring her forgotten. At least for that moment.

She let out a breathless laugh and went to her favourite sofa, the one located in her division, in her and her Taichou's office.

Would she really sign the paper? Did she really want to go?

No, of course not. There wasn't any other place she would love to stay in than the Tenth division. She had grown there, had become a fukutaichou and had come under the command of the man she now held dearest. The man she had fallen in love with.

That meant she wasn't leaving and she wasn't signing the paper. Her Taichou would have to do more than that to get rid of her.

However, Matsumoto was a considerate woman. She knew she had been pressing her Taichou a lot and she knew how bad he reacted to her pressure. Maybe a few days of her trying not to hit on him, to let him cool off a little would do the both of them some good.

Surprisingly enough, Rangiku, that seems like an intelligent and considerate option, Commented Haineko with a smirk.

'Hey! I can be considerate and all,' said Rangiku, pouting slightly when her zanpakutou snorted at her comment. 'I really am! Anyway, right now I'm a little sleepy…'

Rangiku looked around, knowing full well the office was empty and the sofa she was sitting on looked very tempting.

Well, your Taichou did finish all the paperwork and he's not here…'

And we went to bed rather late last night… continued Rangiku while lying down on the sofa and closing her eyes. 'I think we deserve a short nap.'

And with that, both Haineko and Rangiku fell asleep.

It was late in the afternoon.

He landed the last slash and the weak Hollow disappeared in front of him. Blood was pouring from a cut on his forehead and his side was hurting even more after he had escaped successfully from the watchful eye of Unohana-taichou and his wounds had gone unattended.

Stupid Ichimaru had done a good and lucky job on him. If it wasn't for the fact Toshiro was so distressed, the young man knew Ichimaru wouldn't have harmed him at all. Though he had to admit he never expected the traitor to fight back.

"Taichou, I think this was the last one," said one of the seat members of his squad he had taken with him. The man was hesitant and a little fearful; he had never seen his Taichou fight in such a wild manner. And truth be told, he was the only squad member brave enough to even talk with the young Captain.

Toshiro just nodded his head, making the man hesitate for a long moment. As many other officers in the Tenth squad, the man wasn't really sure how to approach his Taichou, not without their lieutenant there to calm down their Captain. Though, sometimes, the woman was more trouble than help for them.

"You can return to Seireitei," said Toshiro in a monotone voice. "I'll file the report later on."

"Yes, Sir," said the man; he turned around but stopped, looking back at Toshiro. "Sir, you…you seem hurt, would like me to call Fourth…?"

"No!" said Toshiro glaring at the man who shuddered. "I'm fine. Go back, this is all for today."

Not wanting to infuriate their Taichou anymore, the squad agreed and all of them turned their backs to their Taichou, who was still looking at the part of the forest in which they had engaged the hollows.

Toshiro massaged his temples, feeling the effects of the headache. However, he couldn't help but admit the fight had been a good way to overcome whatever feelings of guilt he had. He forgot, even if it was just for a few hours, what he had almost done to Rangiku, what the voice inside his head kept telling him to do.

Toshiro grabbed a spot over his clothing just below his chest; the place where he knew the seal had been made to hold the inner voice at bay.

The young Taichou frowned, knowing too well the seal was getting weaker every day and soon it would stop having any influence. What had happened during their patrol was proof enough; he could see the fear and confusion in his men.

So, it was only natural he felt uneasy of the day the seal would wear off and there wasn't anything helping him keep the voice shut.

Toshiro growled and his reiatsu froze the zone around him when memories of a scared Rangiku invaded his mind. Those were images he didn't want to see again. She was something of the past, someone he should forget about. Someone unimportant. The transfer form he had left earlier was proof enough, right?

If you say so, Master.

'What? Tell me now. What are your thoughts about this?'

Why should I? Toshiro could tell Hyorinmaru was hurt and angry with him. Why should I voice my concerns if you hardly listen to me anymore?

'Please; this is getting really old, Hyorinmaru,' replied Toshiro, massaging the bridge of his nose, Hyorinmaru hadn't taken too well the transfer and had been trying to convince the young man to forget about it and not do it.

But Toshiro had already made a decision about the matter. Matsumoto should be far away from him, it was better like that for the both of them. Maybe this time he would get a new fukutaichou who actually worked, who he wouldn't get attached to.

Hyorinmaru silently watched his Master with a serious expression, knowing the young man didn't mean any of those thoughts. There was a drift of cold air around the area and the clearing was completely frozen by the time Toshiro started leaving.

Hyorinmaru followed his master silently, still deep in thought about his change in demeanour. It had happened a little after the fight against Aizen and instead of getting better he was getting worse. And Hyorinmaru knew this wasn't about Hinamori anymore.

His Master was becoming a stranger even to him and the dragon was afraid of the consuming darkness, always growing, inside his Master's soul. Something he had used to hurt others, most specifically Rangiku, the woman he held even closer than Hinamori.

Hyorinmaru closed his eyes and remembered how those feelings had changed and would go from an insane obsession to a sincere concern. There were moments in which flashes of the old Hitsugaya would appear only to be replaced with this new version of his Master.

Last night had been the closest thing to his old self he had gotten in the last year. But Hyorinmaru had to admit if the price of recovering Toshiro was losing or… breaking Rangiku, the dragon would make sure that never happened. His soul was already attached to Haineko's, even if they hadn't been able to share a single moment recently.

It didn't take them too long to arrive to the Tenth division barracks, people around him bowed respectfully (and a little fearfully) before disappearing. Toshiro didn't mind them and kept walking towards his office.

He stopped, shocked to feel the faint presence of the same person he had been evading all day.

He opened the door to reveal the sleeping form of Rangiku. His hand closed tightly around it and Toshiro didn't know if he should be angry because she was still there, or feel relieved because she was still there.

Hyorinmaru, however, was pleasantly surprised and a little amused when he noticed his Master's feelings in turmoil. Toshiro took on an inexpressive face and walked directly to where he had left the transfer form earlier. He scanned the desk with his eyes until they felt on the trash can. There was only one paper there and Toshiro had a feeling that was the transfer form.

Toshiro passed a hand through his hair before letting it rest on Rangiku's desk. He took deep, long breaths while thinking about the situation he had at hand. Technically he could ask for a transfer but Ukitake had already made clear Toshiro needed a valid reason. The fact the young man had told Ukitake about her napping and drinking habits didn't do anything at all to change Ukitake's opinion. If it bothered him so much those things, why didn't he say something earlier in his captaincy?

Toshiro clenched his teeth, for the transfer to be effective the three of them had to sign the form Rangiku had just tossed to the trash can! His anger was rising by the minute, making him vulnerable.

Aren't you tired with her attitude? You should teach her a lesson she would never forget…last night you failed to do so…today she is asleep…

Toshiro? Master, what are you doing?

Toshiro pretended he didn't hear Hyorinmaru; he turned around and made his way to where Matsumoto was deeply asleep.

Had anyone been there, they would have noticed the lifeless and cold stare coming from his eyes. His face was just as emotionless when he tilted is head and focused his attention on the sleeping form of the woman in front of him.

So innocent and defenceless.

Sleeping as she was, she wouldn't notice anything until it was too late. He seemed unaware of anything else but her and the sudden desire in his body. A desire he felt only when he was physically close to her, a need and lust he had never felt before. Something that would make him crazy sometimes, but that he was aware was merely physical.

He kneeled in front of her so his face was in front of hers; he turned his teal eyes and had a glimpse of her cleavage. His hand raised itself and started making feather like touches on her skin.

She was warm which made her stirred when Toshiro's cold hand made contact with her skin. He doubted for a moment before returning to what he was doing. His hand went from her neck to her lips.

He let his hand travelled down, decided to cross the line he hadn't dare to cross last night when his eyes fell on the marks around Rangiku's neck. They were faint by now, but still there. Noticeable for whoever wanted to look closer at them.

And Toshiro was closer than ever.

Toshiro! What the hell do you think you are doing? came the thunderous voice of Hyorinmaru inside his head.

The young Captain looked down and, with some reluctance, moved his hand away. Whatever he had planned to do to Rangiku was forgotten. If only for a moment, since it was obvious he wanted her.

You want her?! Is that your justification? replied a very indignant Hyorinmaru. You're letting him use you!

Toshiro lowered his gazed, he felt conflicted and so damned confused. The shadow in the back of his mind started pushing him, whispering, trying to convince him again to do what he wanted to do. Wasn't that the reason he was kneeling in front of a sleeping Rangiku?

He could kill in the most merciless way and pick fights with a man who couldn't (and wouldn't) fight back most of the time, but not take what he wanted?

Toshiro put both of his hands in his head and whispered a rather angry 'shut up! Shut up!' when the sounds of Hyorinmaru's and his inner shadow's voice kept talking to him.

Matsumoto whimpered and moved, startling Toshiro who stood up rather quickly. She turned around, facing the sofa, but otherwise didn't wake up.

Toshiro sighed and decided he needed a drink. Maybe a whole bottle of something. He turned around ready to leave his office but stopped. He looked back at Matsumoto and after a moment of hesitation he walked towards her and placed a single kiss on her cheek before taking off his Captain's haori and covering her up with it.

Rangiku's eyes opened once she felt the presence of her Taichou walk away from their office.

She lay there, thoughtful about what had just happened. Her Taichou's reiatsu had flickered, if only slightly, in the same way it had done last night. And if the woman was honest, in the same way it had done some other, rather countable times.

It hadn't been a nice feeling, but what did it mean? And how long would it take her to find out?

So, here is chapter 2. Hope you really enjoy it, about Toshiro's voice, someone already figured it out, but we'll see what happens next.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to leave a comment