Hello there again, this is chapter three. I hope you enjoy this and I do hope you'll keep reading. As I have stated before, I don't own anything so I wouldn't bother trying to sue me over copyright infringement or anything like that.
~Maximum Ride 000
If there's a prize for rotten judgment
I guess I've already won that
No man is worth the aggravation
That's ancient history, been there done that
"I'm going to lose my mind if I have to deal with Shunsui for one more day", muttered a slightly buzzed Nanao to a surprisingly sober Matsumoto. It was girls' night out, a tradition between the two vice captains for as long as they could remember. Usually the night ended with Nanao escorting (carrying) Matsumoto home, but this time Matsumoto had a plan. She had insisted that this particular girls' night out take place at Nanao's house. Her plan was so simple that it was brilliant, she would get a drunk Nanao to confess her feelings for her captain. Really, it was so simple that nothing could possibly go wrong. So far everything was going as planned, Nanao had stopped referring to her captain as "Kyoraku-taicho" ten minutes ago and he had become "Shunsui" just a moment earlier. Matsumoto was fairly certain that a few more minutes of talking (drinking) and she would have the straight laced vice captain to spill her guts concerning her less than stellar love life.
Who'd'ya think you're kidding
He's the earth and heaven to you
Try to keep it hidden
Honey, we can see right through you
Girl, ya can't conceal it
We know how ya feel
And who you're thinking of
She did, however, wish that Nanao would spill her guts faster because girl's constant denial was beginning to get on her nerves. She was fairly certain that anyone who cared to look would see right through the other woman's flimsy denials. She could see quite clearly that the other woman couldn't survive without her captain. "That man is not worth the amount of time I have to put in to keep the division afloat", Nanao said, this time a bit more forcefully.
No chance, no way
I won't say it no, no
One of Matsumoto's eyebrows shot up in surprised skepticism. She opened her mouth to respond, but Nanao seemed to recognize her expression and cut her off. "I mean it", she said a warning in her tone, "Don't get started, Rangiku, I am not in the mood to argue with you. I am not in love with my captain."
You swoon, you sigh
Why deny it?
She poured Nanao another drink. While she wanted Nanao to confess, she had to make sure that Nanao didn't drink too much, it would do no good if Nanao confessed her feelings and couldn't remember having done so the next day. She waited for Nanao to take another sip before she spoke, "Oh but Nanao, I've seen the way you act around him when you think no one else is watching", she said with her traditional level of tact.
It's too cliché
I won't say I'm in love
If it weren't for Nanao's control of her reactions she would have choked on the sake she had just sipped, but her serious demeanor would not allow for such a clichéd spit-take. As it was she struggled to maintain control of her tone. "If no one was around then how do you know how I acted?" she questioned. Rangiku considered answering the question so as to defend her stealth skills, but kept quiet as Nanao began to speak again.
I thought my heart had learned its lesson
It feels so good when you start out
My head is screaming get a grip girl
Unless you're dying to cry your heart out
"I don't need him or any other man. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself", she slurred, the alcohol beginning to impair her speech. Despite the inebriation in Nanao's tone, Matusmoto could hear an underlying tone of sadness, regret, and anger. It sounded, to Matsumoto, like Nanao had experienced the pain of a bad relationship. The revelation surprised Rangiku, but it also made her more determined to make sure that her plan succeeded.
You keep on denying
Who you are and how you're feeling
Baby, we're not buying
Hon, we saw you hit the ceiling
Face it like a grown up
When you gonna own up
That you got, got, got it bad
At thing point Matsumoto really wanted to reach over and knock some sense into the other woman. "Sweety, when are you gonna just let it go and admit that you're in love with the man? I know it's hard for you to accept, but I don't think you could survive without him", she said calmly.
No chance, no way
I won't say it no, no
"Of course I could survive without him!" Nanao almost yelled. "That man is nothing but a love obsessed idiot." Despite her response, Matsumoto noticed a small smile spread across Nanao's face and a wistful tint dawn in her eyes.
Give up, give in
Check the grin, you're in love
"I think you love him anyway", Matsumoto responded, pushing her plan just a little bit further.
This scene won't play
I won't say I'm in love
"You're completely insane Rangiku, I am not in love with my captain, not now, not ever", Nanao's response was agitated and even more slurred.
You're doing flips, read our lips
You're in love
"Really sweety? You jump through hoops for that man. I know love when I see it", Matsumoto's response was a clear attempt to force Nanao's confession.
You're way off base
I won't say it
Get off my case
I won't say it
"No, no! You're completely wrong Rangiku!" Nanao began, her frustration showing clearly, "I really don't love my captain, please just let it go", Nanao pleaded desperately with Matsumoto.
Girl don't be proud
It's okay you're in love
Matsumoto gently took Nanao's hand, hoping to reassure her, "it's okay hon, just admit it. You're in love with him", she said, hoping her tone would convey the necessity of this act.
At least out loud
I won't say I'm in love
The revelation hit Nanao like a ton of bricks. She was in love with her captain. She blinked at Rangiku, unable to comprehend exactly what that revelation meant. Even as her mind screamed the truth, the lie tumbled from her lips, "I'm not in love with Shunsui", she said, though she sounded defeated. Matsumoto pulled her friend into a gentle hug, knowing that she had succeeded. Nanao had admitted, at least to herself, that she was in love with her captain. Now all Matsumoto had to do was convince Nanao to act on that realization. And how hard could that be?
And that's the end of this chapter. I'm sorry if it seemed kind of repetitive. I hope to have the next chapter up by tomorrow at the latest. Thanks again for reading, please drop me a review to let me know what you think.
~Maximum Ride 000
