Chapter 4

NANAO TRUDGED SILENTLY under the big trees around the Seiretei. Dusk was beginning to show out the sky. A small line of shadow was beginning to form at her figure as she walked. She was still seething and simmering from what she had witnessed earlier in her captain's room. "Since when they had become so close like that?" she thought irritably to herself. She swore that she could read the passion in their eyes, sparks flying between them. Nanao never saw that kind of emotion like that from her captain. Until now. It is like he is in lo—she stopped abruptly and shook her head adamantly from that absurd thought. She didn't like what assumptions her mind was going to. It can't be. They've just met and talked normally a few weeks ago. And no offense, but Isane was far from her captain's type. She was too tall, shy, awkward, and gangly—"And you're not her type either. You're an uptight, boorish lieutenant who looks like a schoolteacher." Her mind taunted. "Shut up!" she snapped back at her mind. Her bickering at her mind was cut short when she saw a lone figure sitting on a nearby bench under a cherry blossom tree. As she came closer, she figured out that it was Rangiku. There was a pensive look on her face. Maybe she was too deep in her thoughts that she didn't notice her approaching figure. She was finally there and speaks up.

"A penny for your thoughts Rangiku?" Nanao asked mildly.

There was a surprised look that crossed over at Rangiku's face when she heard Nanao's voice. But recovering fast, she greeted her cheerily.

"Oh hi Nanao!" Rangiku smiled at her but there was downcast look at her eyes.

Nanao noticed it. She sat beside her and looks at her gently.

"Care to tell me what happened?" Nanao asked softly.

Rangiku realized that there was no sense in keeping up with her façade. She finally crumbled and gave in.

"It's about my taicho." Rangiku replied quietly.

"What about him?" Nanao prompted.

"Well, you see, everybody knows that he accidentally stabbed Hinamori during the battle, because he thought that it was Aizen right?" She said.

Nanao nodded, urging her silently to continue. Then Rangiku went on.

"The problem is he keeps blaming himself for what happened. Even if it is not. We all know that he was one of the victims of Aizen's zanpaktuo of manipulation because he was stabbed by it just like the other captains. But he has this ridiculous idea that it was his entire fault for causing Hinamori pain. He just kept the entire burden to himself and wouldn't let anyone near him—lest of all—us, his friends." Rangiku said with a hint of worry and frustration in her voice.

Nanao look at Rangiku. She never had seen her friend like this so worked up before. She was really amazed at Rangiku's concern for her captain.

"Look Rangiku, why don't you try again talking to him by finding the right time? Surely he wouldn't be dense and insensitive enough to shut you out again." Nanao suggested.

"But Nanao you don't understand. I know my captain completely. If he doesn't want to talk about it, he won't. Ever. He can be stubborn as hell. He keeps everything to himself that it slowly destroys him. He changes completely." Rangiku laments.

"War changes people Rangiku." Nanao tried to reason for Captain Hitsugaya's behavior.

"But not if someone could help him." Rangiku countered.

Nanao's brows furrowed. Just what Rangiku was pointing at? She didn't like what she was feeling; she had an intuition that it might involve her.

"Surely you could do that even if not asking for someone's help. You are the other closest person to him besides Hinamori. I am very sure that he would listen to your insights and opinions." Nanao pointed out.

Rangiku just shook her head.

"Like I said before, he wouldn't. My communication tactics just wouldn't work on him anymore. And besides how could I persuade him to move on when I myself couldn't?" Rangiku said quietly.

Nanao's gaze softened at her.

"Rangiku….." Nanao said gently.

Rangiku responded with a determined look on her face.

"He needs someone who is level-headed, rational, frank, and defiant. Someone who can knock some sense into his head and bite his own nail. And that someone is you." Rangiku emphasized the last word.

Nanao nearly choke on her spit. She stared disbelievingly at Rangiku.

"What? Why me of all people?" Nanao exclaimed in disbelief.

"Why not?" Rangiku shot back.

"Because we barely know and speak with each other!" Nanao just shook her head at the absurdity of the idea.

"Exactly. I've been thinking this through and the thought of you talking to him just hit me. And I thought to myself, why not? You're one of the most sensible people that I've met. And the fact that he barely knows you might surprise him if you just talk to him one day." Rangiku explained.

"But that still doesn't answer my question." Nanao crossed her arms.

"I knew this wouldn't be easy. So I'm just begging you to talk to him. Please help him?" Rangiku pleaded.

Nanao's jaw dropped. Now, it was out of Rangiku's character to beg someone for help. It just means that she's really serious and wanted to help her captain even if it means begging for her help. She sighed. Well, what could she do anyway? She couldn't stand it seeing her friend looking like that. And she was curious to know Captain Hitsugaya's state. Is he really that worst that Rangiku asked for her help? Of all people?

"Okay, I would try—"

Nanao didn't finish her statement when Rangiku suddenly embraced her.

"Oh, thank you so much Nanao! I knew you have a heart and wouldn't let me worry alone." Rangiku smiled warmly.

Nanao tried to free herself from her hug. She speaks again.

"You didn't let me finish what I said. As I was saying, I would try to talk to him. But don't get your hopes up if he doesn't talk to me." Nanao reminded her seriously.

Rangiku only nodded in response still smiling broadly.

"Why didn't you ask instead for Unohana-taicho's help? She's really good at these kinds of problems." Nanao still suggested.

"Unohana-taicho has her own problems. And she's really been busy these days at checking at other shinigamis who were still recuperating at their barracks. Besides, I don't want to bother her with these kinds of problems; I'm still kind of private about this. And I know I could trust you at this." Rangiku smiled genuinely at her.

Nanao smiled back. She was glad that Rangiku was gaining back her cheerfulness. But she had an odd feeling that it wouldn't be easy enough to talk to Captain Hitsugaya.