Chapter 3 - The Prankster

Igita snapped out of her thoughts as one of her squad members appeared in front of her, holding a couple of papers. "Miss Igita, It is required that you fill out these forms regarding the safety inspection of the emergency generator." She opened her eyes seeing the upside down face of who she thought to be Fuuchon. He was driven, though he was really more bark then bite. As she took the papers from him, she noticed he was staring at how she was hanging from the tree. He seemed curious. "Fun way to meditate, I'll have them filled out by dinner. Are the maintenance forms that I specifically requested included?" He nodded, and Igita unhooked her legs, swiftly falling from the tree. She managed to turn her body around, right before her feet hit the ground. "Thanks Fuuchon. Tell the squad they can take a break until dinner. I'll take care of this and then get a snack..." Igita nodded to herself. "I. am. hungry..." Her brown haired subordinate left with a small nod, before she looked at the papers and a small smile crept over her lips. "Shine and electrify Hotaru." Igita muttered her Shikai's command before jumping back into the tree. Time to play around and fireflies were so useful.

"Just a moment." The busy captain of division 10 sputtered as he heard someone knock on his door. He wrote down the last letter and sighed in relieve to have finally finished his paperwork for today. It had grown late, already evening and for autumn it was still surprisingly warm outside. He rose to his feet and walked around his desk. As he opened the door he looked up to a brown haired guy, standing outside his office. The face of the soulreaper was covered with distress. Hitsugaya raised his eyebrows as he noticed his odd trembling and sweating. "Well...? What is it?" He asked, with a curious yet slight annoyed tone. "It's uh... ah-" The brunette choked in his own words. "He has struck again... S-sir." The soulreaper murmured, looking around nervously while he was patiently waiting on his captain to react. Hitsugaya's blue eyes turned big, and his calm expression turned venomous. They had been having trouble with some kind of joker. Every day, on a different moment. A group of soulreapers were already working on finding the culprit. While the white haired soulreaper was led to the crime scene, he went over every possible suspect to today's mischief. Hitsugaya was led into the cafeteria were chaos had broken out. The floor was covered in red headed soulreapers. Some did not flinch one bit while others were screaming their lungs out and writhing like a fish on the dry. Hitsugaya's face turned pale. "What happened here!?" The cook stepped forward and raised his shoulders. "I-I-I don't know captain! I just made the boys some hot soup but after all took a sip, they started falling to the ground like flies!" Hitsugaya turned his eyes one more time to his ill comrades before making a gesture to the bearded cook. "Give me some of that soup of yours." He commanded, sounding annoyed. Soon enough he was handed over a small bowl of chicken soup and the vapor raised up to his face. Hitsugaya put one of his fingers into the bouillon and shortly after pulling it out, tasted the remains. The brown haired soul reaper watched his captain swallow, while holding his breath in full suspense. Then Hitsugaya suddenly dropped the bowl with soup, which clattered on the ground. The pieces of meat and greens were spilled all over the floor and a puddle formed. "Ah- Captain?" The cook stared fearful at the little captain as his face slowly turned red. "Captain! What is it!?" The brunette spit out. Hitsugaya held one finger in the air, while his eyes shut close. "As I expected..." A very hoarse voice left the white haired's lips, like he hadn't had anything to drink in days. "The soup... was spiced up..." Then he dropped on his knees, and landed with his face on the ground.

After having removed the soup from his face, and vegetables from his hair. Hitsugaya rose to his feet. Even though he had been able to clean most of it, some green stains were still visible on his snow white hair, and around him hung an awful chicken stench. It was clearly visible that he was not amused, it was written all over his face. He threw away the soiled towel, groaning aggravated. "Clean this mess up! And I want a list of every person that has been in the kitchen today!" After having yelled his commands, he slammed the door and walked to his office. His hand tried to clench around the door handle but it slipped. Then he realized the lever was been rubbed in with butter. "Ah come on are you serious?" He pulled his sleeve down, wrapping the fabric around his hand, hoping to get some grip. Then again he pulled the handle, this time with success. "What do I need to do to get some rest around he-!?" As soon he made one step forward, he was taken by surprise as a bucket of water just waiting above his head. The water soaked him to the bone, followed by the bucket that fell on his head. Hitsugaya turned his hands into fists. "AAHHH! I SWEAR ONCE I FIND YOU! YOU'RE FINISHED!" YOU HEAR ME FINISHED!"

Yuki sat down besides Igita, seeing the room fill further. The round tables were decorated with a candle, which immediately intrigued Yuki. Her eyes were glued to flickering flame as it grew bigger, before shrinking. As the redhead was playing with the flame, Igita was looking around the room, seeing Captain Hitsugaya sitting at front table with watchful eyes, with a light hint of green through his hair. Igita had to look away to stifle a giggle and she did know from the corner of her eyes that his gaze was now on her. She relaxed her facial muscles, before focusing on Yuki. She ruffled the others hair, who on return jumped out of her trance and looked up at Igita. The black haired grinned before Yuki smiled. "Captain smells like chicken." she mumbled absently as her eyes trailed off again, staring at the people around them. "Some others do too." Igita couldn't help but snigger. "I wonder why..." As she met Yuki's eyes again, they both had this knowing look.

Captain Hitsugaya saw nearly all the seats were taken. He eyed his prime suspect once more before standing up from his seat and almost the whole division look at him. There would always be others who would come late, but so be it. He couldn't say he felt very patient. "It has been a week since our new colleagues arrived, now we hold the official welcome party. I welcome all of you here and hope everyone finds his place." It were some generic welcoming words, that had been said many times, yet in the huge hall there were cheers. The Captain smiled shortly, before taking place again. Sometimes he wondered why he let Matsumoto convince him to do this again every year, she usually tried to get drunk anyways. Hitsugaya looked down at the small bowl of Sake and pushed it backwards. He had no interest in becoming intoxicated, especially with a prankster running loose. As his mind drifted to that topic again his eyes scanned the large room, looking for clues. Soon enough his lieutenant had wandered off already, seating him alone at the main table, as drinking around him commenced.

Igita saw Yuki talking to a guy next to hear, telling some random story. The black haired, sighed as the stench of alcohol kept pressing into her nose. Luckily for her there were beverages served, besides alcoholic ones, including water and tea. She poured herself a steaming cup of tea, laughing suddenly as she caught parts of Yuki's story. That girl definitely knew how to tell a story. Suddenly Igita was nearly pushed onto the table by two soft round objects. "Heeeeey, Igita right?! Why aren't you drinking! Come on have some fuuuun and let go!" Igita wriggled wildly as the tipsy Rangiku suffocated her. She was about to shock her superior, when the busty woman was pulled of off her. Igita around seeing Yuki holding a firm grasp on Rangiku's arm "Igita can't drink. She's allergic" Yuki's explanation fell in deaf ears as Rangiku talked on and on about fun and sake. The red head got a dark glimmer in her eyes and didn't seem to pleased at all. Igita, who was still catching her breath, quickly decided to pitch in before the unfocused lieutenant noticed the threatening look. She jumped up leaning on Yuki. "Haha Thanks Yuki. I never knew two huge boobs could be that dangerous." Her best friend obviously got the hint and grinned, her eyes lighting up. She had dropped her protectiveness.

After some smalltalk the lieutenant left again and both girls sat down again. Yuki continued her fantastical story while taking another drink. Igita smiled, before drinking her tea and letting her eyes scan the room. Soon enough they fell on a nearly empty table, where her Captain sipped some tea as he watched. He was a watchful guy. The black haired glanced to Yuki again, satisfied with how she was doing and rose onto her feet. Everyone was mingling so there were quite some people walking. She glanced over to her Captain again, perhaps she should join him. He had a more peaceful spot, and he wasn't drinking either. Perhaps it wouldn't smell so alcoholic there, it made her nose twitch sometimes. Carefully Igita made her way, before silently taking place. "Hi Captain... enjoying tea as well I see..." Her voice had a hint of nerves to it, this was still her superior she was talking to and she did not have Sake to loosen either of them up.

Captain Hitsugaya looked up meeting two fresh yellow eyes. "I suppose... I'm not really much of a sake drinker like Rangiku is." He knew he sounded bored but he really did not have much with parties, though he didn't mind someone came up for a talk. A little company didn't hurt anyone. The white haired saw her nod. "Well you wont see me drunk either... then again I can't. Besides tea suits me just fine. Nice and warm," The girl laughed.

Igita took a sip form her tea, watching her Captains eyebrows furrow. "What do you mean you can't get drunk?"She guessed he could be curious, though he sounded a bit more interrogating. Also he seemed paid attention to her choice of words. Still she moved back a little, startled. "Well an allergy makes it rather difficult. I do like parties though. The music can make it great" She smiled, before letting her eyes find Yuki quickly. She seemed to be doing well. Then her attention was pulled back as her Captain sighed. His eyes were closed for a moment and he seemed more serious. "I don't attend much to parties... I guess I just find them unnecessary." Captain Hitsugaya shrugged as he spoke, refilling his tea. "I just remembered... I almost got choked, though I'm assuming it's a familiar issue?" Igita turned her head to Rangiku, Hitsugaya following her gaze. "On a weekly base." He let out a bit of grin, as he tried to make it a joke. The girl smiled. "Your friend seems to be enjoying herself as well." He nodded, while having a fade smile, in Yuki's direction, causing Igita to turn her head again. Just a few minutes had passed and Yuki was now partaking in a drinking game, lifting a bottle over her head. "Yeah... She does... Reminds me of that goodbye part of the academy... She did a game too... wait..." Igita's face turned a little less excited. "Actually... that didn't... end well..." The black haired soulreaper stood up, leaving the Captain and her half drunken tea behind. Yuki just downed another bottle of honey sake and was far from sober. Igita pulled her up, supporting the drunk other. "Ok, Time to put the bottle down. We don't want to cause trouble..."

Hitsugaya woke up by a familiar voice. "Captain... Captain, wake up." The white haired slowly opened his eyes, then was startled by a grim shadow. "Wh!" He reached for his sword, feeling threatened by the intruder "No no... it's just me captain." Rangiku whispered as she stepped into the light. Hitsugaya sighed relieved, then dropped his arms. "Rangiku. What are you doing? It's after midnight you are supposed to sleep! I... am supposed to sleep." He sputtered, followed by a cracky yawn. "I know captain... But the squad and I keep hearing these odd noises outside..." The lieutenant said with a mysterious tone in her voice. "Odd noises?" Hitsugaya replied, with disbelieve. "It's probably nothing... Now go back to bed Rangiku..." "B-but Capta-" Rangiku was cut off by a deep eerie sound, echoing from outside. "What was that?!" Hitsugaya spit out with a surprised voice, leaning back against the wall. "There's that awful sound again! Come on!" Rangiku said, then instantly grabbed her captain's arm and pulled him from his comfertable bed. "Rangiku!" Hitsugaya had to blush when Rangiku was observing his melon pajama, holding back her laugh. "Weren't you supposed to drag me somewhere?" The small captain muttered, quite annoyed. "Hihi... I'm sorry Captain." They ran outside, finding other soul reapers just outside the door. "Captain! Lieutenant! There it was again!" Rangiku drew her sword, her mood suddenly changing to serious. "I don't know what it is, but be prepared for anything." She pointed out. "YES!" The men responded, half of them were still wearing pajamas. The grunting from further down the hall, was getting louder, making some their legs tremble. A big shadow followed up the wall, though they could not make any possible shape out of it. "There it comes!" Hitsugaya said, preparing his squad. Their enemy stepped into the light. To their amazement was it very small, and covered with a white sheet. "Wait..." The captain of squad 10 approached the small creature and carefully pulled off the fabric, revealing a pink little piggy underneath it. "What the?!" "Oh you have got to be kidding me..." Rangiku added with a deep sigh. "Men! false alarm...You can return to your chambers..." She shoved her sword back into it's sheet, watching how the other soul reapers stumbled back to their rooms. "Well well... It seems our little comedian has struck again." Hitsugaya groaned weary, he angrily threw the white sheet into a corner and rose up to his feet. "He can't keep this up forever..." "Neither can you sir... You should get some sleep." Rangiku responded. After saying their goodbyes, Hitsugaya finally returned to his bed. And fell back to sleep again.

Hitsugaya stepped into his office the next morning. It was raining outside and there was a coldness hanging in the air. He pulled his chair back, but before he sat down he checked the legs underneath it. The prankster had tried that trick before. Removing one of the wheels, so the chair would become unstable. "Okay..." It seemed the wheels were just fine. After that Hitsugaya felt the fabric with his hand, checking if it hadn't been basted with glue. "Hmm... surprising..." Hitsugaya sat down, still alert about his surroundings. When someone knocked on the door. Hitsugaya first checked if there wasn't a bucket full of water waiting for it's victim, though it seemed to be clear. "Come in!" His lieutenant stepped in, soaked by the bad weather. "Good morning Captain!" "Rangiku, what's the damage?' Hitsugaya asked, straight to the point. "Excuse me sir?" Rangiku raised her eyebrows, slightly confused to what he was getting at. The little captain, folded his arms. "The joker. What has he done today?" "Eh nothing yet... Oehh! What if he's finally getting tired!?" Rangiku spit out ecstatic. Hitsugaya found that somehow hard to believe. It had been going on for a while now, but there hadn't been a day where he did not do anything. He couldn't have ran out jokes, could he? No, he had done some of his old pranks multiple times so why not now? Unless there was something restraining him. Hitsugaya was conflicted by the mystery. He looked outside his window watching the rain pouring.