Hi people- I'm back!!
Anyhow- this chapter will bring in some romance for all the characters, but should still make you giggle!!
Actually, to be honest, this is only the first part of chapter four- you see I started writing, and I liked it all, so I ended up writing too much, and now you have the first half of chapter four. I'll post the second half in a few days- promise.
Thanks again to all my reviewers- I hope you like it.
Chapter Four: The Right Approach (Part One)
Kurosaki Ichigo had never had a more challenging mission.
He had absolutely no idea how to apologise, and no plans for how he could begin apologise to Rukia. It might have been because he had never groped a girl before, and thus never needed to apologise for it. It could also have been because it was Rukia; he never had as many problems with any other girl.
Everything he said or did was wrong; everything she said or did was wrong- they couldn't ever manage to communicate or spend time together like normal people. Every conversation ended in argument and most likely painful blows to the head or stomach. Neither of them wanted it to be like that- he never actively sort such a… strangely explosive relationship, it just happened to be that way.
He'd never admit that he was jealous of every other man she had some sort of bond with, even Renji. The way those two interacted was a milder form of the relationship she had with Ichigo, but they could also be gentle and sweet with each other. Ichigo always seemed to miss that side of Rukia, and he would give almost anything for her to act like that with him, he craved it more than anything... except the complete annhilation of Chappy from all existence.
Why was she always so gentle with Byakuya? She was also obedient with Byakuya, even respectful and loving- she didn't argue back, or make smart and irritating remarks. She respected Ukitate-san, and adored him as all the thirteeenth division's officers adored the good-natured, polite taicho. Even Sentaro- that weird third seat, had her respect and affection- she never smashed him into the ground. She certainly didn't smack Ishida or Chado on the head either, or argue with them, she even went easy on the perverted Urahara-san and his baka Oyaji.
It was Ichigo she was hardest on, Ichigo she admired least, and Ichigo who she argued with most.
The person she obviously hated the most, had insulted her honour as an unmarried woman.
How could he get her to accept an apology? Buying presents could be construed as bribery- perhaps it could even be taken as him saying that he could buy her… and it could be a bigger insult… A formal apology with a lot of grovelling could be embarrassing, but, if he was obviously sincere, perhaps…
"Taicho?" Hinamori asked, sounding quite surprised, "have you been in here all night?"
He blinked, "it's morning?" she had to be lying, he hadn't really been thinking about Rukia that long.
"It's after eight. You're supposed to be supervising the training of the tenth squad under the fifteenth seat- you said he wasn't giving them enough of a workout," she said, sounding politely embarrassed.
Ichigo took several minutes to register that, "I did?"
"Three days ago," Hinamori confirmed, "ano, taicho… perhaps I should supervise for you. I think you should go to bed for a few hours, you look," his polite and sweet fukutaicho searched for the appropriate word, "a little rough," she finished.
In other words; he looked completely haggard and crumpled from staying up all night.
"No, I'll supervise the training. I said I would, but after that I will get some rest- I promise," he said to her worried brown eyes.
"If you don't, I'll put an eighties level bakudo on you," Hinamori mock-threatened- it was an ongoing joke between them.
She often threatened to bind him with kido, since everyone knew that he was worse than Renji at using it. Even so, she kept it as a joke, light and teasing, not serious- she was considerate of other people's feelings, and didn't rub his faults in his face. She reminded him a little of both of his sisters; perhaps that was why they got along so well.
He managed to give her a smile before he walked out to the training grounds to do his duty. He didn't mind teaching others; he actually quite enjoyed it- even if most of them were technically more experienced Shinigami. He'd not even been one for four years- and they'd all been through the six year Academy course at the least.
For some reason- no doubt his exploits during the war against Aizen, he was respected, even idolised by all the junior officers, and some senior officers too. Hinamori had told him not to be embarrassed by it, simply to graciously acknowledge it and then politely ignore it.
He was still working on it, but she often sheltered him from the worst of it. He suspected that she had told the other taicho and fukutaicho, because they all seemed to watch out for him in crowded, uncomfortable situations.
Ukitate-san was probably one of his favourites among the other taicho. Not just because he was Rukia's taicho, but, because Ukitate-san was always helpful and often dropped in, despite his poor health, just for a chat. Unfortunately it also meant putting up with Kyoraku-san a lot more often than he actually wanted to- the hentai reminded him rather uncomfortably of his Oyaji.
Ukitate-san was always a source of good advice and willing to give Ichigo some snacks as well as answer any questions. Actually Ukitate-san was exactly the kind of man Ichigo would have liked for an uncle, he admired the refined man; he was polite, witty and simply a good person. Ichigo always enjoyed Ukitate-san's visits- and it had nothing to do with the fact that Rukia always came with Ukitate-san when he visited, nothing whatsoever.
Well, she used to… she probably wouldn't now, not ever again.
'Rukia- what can I do?'
Matsumoto Rangiku could not believe that her taicho had actually done this. Who exactly did he think he was? He had no right to exploit her like this!
"I expect it all to be done by the time I return," Hitsugaya-taicho said coolly, sounding rather smug, "otherwise, you'll be stuck for a very long time," there was a subtle and deliberate emphasis on those last words. He almost purred them, he sounded so satisfied.
"But taicho, this isn't fair!" she protested, trying not to let her chattering teeth ruin what was otherwise a splendid cry for pity.
"So leaving me yesterday with all the paperwork was non-intentional?" he asked, raising an eyebrow mockingly.
"Do you honestly think I would do that to you?" she asked innocently, the shivering ruined the effect she was trying to create.
"Hai," he said shortly, apparently holding a grudge.
"But-" Rangiku began, trying to justify her position and the fact she had left him with the paperwork numerous times.
"Matsumoto, I am being reasonable, all you need to do is finish those two stacks- it is not asking too much. This is as much paperwork as Ise-san completes in four hours, and the ice binding on you will fade once it is complete. All you need to do is a reasonable amount of paperwork for once and then you can leave the office- you can even drink sake," he said in a patient tone she despised.
"Hai taicho," she said, slumping in her seat, resigned to her fate. She was freezing, her uniform could do little against the ice he'd used on her- but she'd always known that someday he would make good on his threat to use his power on her.
He walked out of the room and closed the door. She smirked and leant down, aiming for the bottom right-hand drawer. She tried to pull it open, but it didn't budge, she tugged again, but it still didn't move. Half panicked; she put all of her weight behind it, and succeeded only in wrenching the handle off.
"Oh, before I forget Matsumoto, I took precautions- just in case you wanted to start early. You do your best work when you're not drunk, and I wanted this set of paperwork filled out to perfection," her taicho's voice floated back in through the closed door.
He was far too sneaky, sealing her onto her chair with ice from the waist down. He'd also made the ice seal her chair to the floor, right in front of the desk. Now it seemed that he'd also sealed her sake drawer shut, and she recognised the bakudo he'd used- 'mirror wall'. There was no way she could blast that open- Hitsugaya-taicho wasn't particularly skilled at kido, but he was better than her. She didn't have access to Haineko either- he'd frozen the Zanpakto over, leaving a mound of ice at the foot of her napping couch. Rangiku didn't have much choice if she wanted to be released.
She sourly grabbed her first sheet of paper and her inkbrush, she was going to make sure that Yamamoto-soutaicho received a complaint about this.
This had to come under one of the articles on abuse of powers and authority over subordinates. She'd have to ask Nanao; the woman had a photographic memory, and would be able to give her the right references for sure.
Rangiku didn't even realise that she had finished her first sheet until her ink brush stopped moving. Sometimes she surprised herself; she had filled it out perfectly while thinking of something entirely different. She moved onto the second, still mad, but gradually as she worked her way through the first pile, she forgot her anger entirely.
Toshiro was surprised that Hinamori was waiting for him outside her division's office. She had a basket and a rolled up blanket on the ground beside her, she gave him a big smile as he approached.
"I decided that we should picnic," she declared.
He blinked, "picnic?"
"Hai, now let's go," she said walking past him.
"Okay," he was surprised she was being so bossy, he made to follow her.
"A-hem," she coughed, looking back at the basket and the rug and then at him.
"You have got to be kidding," he informed her bluntly. She'd filled the basket and decided on having a picnic- there was no way he was going to carry it. Did she really think he was some sort of pathetic love-struck baka who'd do everything she said?
"Well, then I guess I'll have to ask someone else to give me a hand," she said, walking off smartly.
She meant obviously 'become her slave', and he wasn't going to fall for that- no chance.
She walked off, leaving him staring after her in disbelief. He watched her for three minutes, and it became obvious that she was serious.
'I really am a pathetic love-struck baka,'
He grabbed the basket and the rug, almost dropping it in surprise-
'How much food did she pack?'
Momo repressed a giggle when she saw him almost drop the basket; she pretended not to notice as he walked up to her with both rug and basket.
"I guess we don't need anyone else to help… unless you can't manage?" she said archly, trying not to giggle.
He shot her a glare and continued walking; reminding her of the time Rangiku-san had suggested he use his power to cool down the tenth division during summer.
She watched him struggle with the basket, and inwardly cursed, she'd had her fun, anymore torture would be malicious.
"Hitsugaya-kun, wait a minute!" she called, rushing over and helping him carry the heavy basket.
"Hinamori, what did you put in here?" he asked.
"Two watermelons, three sets of-" she didn't get to finish, and the basket was almost wrenched out of her hands, as he ran forward and dragged her with him. The basket's weight was apparently not so much of a burden now that he had incentive.
"I haven't had a good watermelon in three months," Hitsugaya-kun called back gleefully.
"Hitsugaya-kun, slow down," she yelled, wondering where they were going.
He stopped abruptly and she crashed into the back of him, almost dropping the basket.
"Hinamori, where were we going?" he suddenly asked.
She blinked and looked around, "ano… I thought we'd go to a park, but… I think that this place is better,"
They had accidentally found a pretty piece of wilderness, there was a river and lots of trees, and best of all- it was completely free of any other people.
"I do too," he said, and then he dropped the basket and splashed her with cold river water in one smooth motion.
His cocky smirk dared her to splash him back.
"Hitsugaya-kun," she said calmly, "this means war!" she yelled, lunging at him.
It was when Matsumoto Rangiku was three quarters through the pile that Kira Izuru walked in the door, and she suddenly acquired a predatory grin. The kind a lioness acquires right before she pounces on unsuspecting prey.
Kira froze under that grin, apparently sensing the danger (which was completely natural- he'd been around Gin for quite a while before the betrayal) and he was looking very nervous. "Ano Matsumoto-san, I was bringing you some bills that the suppliers needed to have checked by Hitsugaya-taicho," he said, looking like he wanted to run.
"But I thought the fifth division took care of transporting all the raw materials yesterday," Rangiku said innocently, deliberately using her arms to squeeze her breasts together, increasing her already impressive cleavage.
Kira's eyes flicked downwards and then he forced himself to focus on her face. It was kind of adorable, especially because he was sporting a dark red blush on his cheeks.
"Well- they… they only transported the materials- we still have to-uh… pay for them," he said, managing not to stutter too awkwardly, fighting the urge to run.
Rangiku quite deliberately sat back and stretched in one sudden movement that made her breasts almost bounce out of her gi.
Kira's eyes widened, descended and reascended, before he turned a darker red, "so, I'll uh- leave you with these then," he said, inching towards the door.
"Ano, Kira?" she asked.
"Hai?" he stopped inches before the door.
"You need to pass me the bills," Rangiku pointed out.
"Oh, of course," he laughed nervously, and walked quickly over to the desk, dropping the bills onto the corner and then he turned and began making for the exit again.
"Kira," she called, just before he could escape.
"Hai?" he asked, very politely.
"I can't reach them there, could you please move them closer?" she asked, pouting.
Kira turned, backtracked and place the bills in her hand, barely looking her in the eye or anywhere else, before racing to the door.
"Is there something wrong Kira?" she asked, once again seconds before he could escape.
Izuru withdrew his hand from the door, "what do you mean Matsumoto-san?" he asked in his most pleasant and polite voice, trying to hide his inner 'turmoil'.
"I mean- why do you seem so," she paused and added a sensual purr to her next word, "uncomfortable," and looked at him expectantly.
"I am not uncomfortable," Izuru contradicted, "I am in a hurry actually, and I am afraid I don't have time to talk- sorry if I am being rude," he blurted out.
"So you can't stay?" Matsumoto-san pouted, her full lower lip quivering, her crystal blue eyes wide and sparkling.
Izuru did not have the heart to turn her down, "well just for a few minutes," he surrendered. It couldn't hurt…
"Rukia, is there something I should be aware of?" her nii-sama asked gravely.
She shook her head, a mixture of embarrassment, shame and a hot feeling in her stomach keeping her silent. She'd never be able to tell him that she was avoiding Ichigo and why, she was only half sure of the answer herself.
Rukia went back to reading her book- still on the first page, because none of her thoughts were even trying to read a single word written on the page.
'Ichigo, you baka- why did that have to happen?'
In the middle of a very expensive transaction in Seireitei's Chappy Outlet store, Kurosaki Ichigo sneezed violently.
"The young lady you're buying this for must be thinking of you," the saleswoman said with a cheerful smile.
She had a right to be cheerful- he couldn't believe how much Chappy merchandise cost, he was going back to his division considerably poorer.
'Of course Rukia's thinking of me- probably thinking the most painful way to kill or mutilate me. Rukia- I hope that we can work this out,'
He had been convinced by several killer saleswomen that gifts were the answer to forgiveness. He still wasn't sure he was convinced, but buying something had seemed the easiest way to escape; literally.
He could show her the gift- she loved Chappy; and then ransom it for her promise not to kill him.
Or he could just distract her with Chappy merchandise for the rest of his life and run whilst she was busy admiring the rabbit.
He still had no idea why someone who could be so practical, even ruthless, in battle had such a weakness for bunnies. It just didn't equate, and when he complained about it to her, she'd shot back that he was a worse contradiction since he liked Shakespeare's work.
Rukia's remark had set the whole eleventh division to laughing- apparently they thought that Shakespeare was girly. Naturally he'd lost his temper and sent them all to the fourth for emergency care. Needless to say Unohana-taicho was not impressed- and she was probably the biggest contradiction of all. She, the head healer and probably one of the gentlest people in Seireitei, was in fact the most widely feared of everyone.
He still didn't see why everyone thought reading Shakespeare was for sissies- it was a classic work; the writing and imagery were dignified and looked at a large set of issues, which were still relevant today. There were no gaudy coloured mobile phones, strange dialects and/or creepy rabbit smiles- which were not in any way kawaii!!
'Rukia- how can we work this out? We seem to have absolutely nothing in common,'
"Rukia, you have been sneezing a lot today," Byakuya was concerned about his imoto.
"Perhaps someone special is thinking of you Kuchiki," Ukitate said cheerfully, with a wink.
Rukia had looked up from her book- she went back to it with a vengeance and a fiery blush. Byakuya didn't care for that at all. Something had been strange all morning, she rarely ever came to borrow books on kido off him- the library had a better selection. Then she had remained, to read the book in his presence- and she had never done that outside of the Kuchiki house.
He didn't care for Ukitate's interference either. If the older man wasn't always constantly putting her and Kurosaki in the same room, he was making sly comments and innuendos about one to the other, regardless of Byakuya's disaproval. Rukia was a Kuchiki, she was not meant for Kurosaki, Ukitate- a member of a noble house, should know better than that. He wasn't the only person determined to see them together, but he was one of the worst, only Kyoraku matched him and Inoue Orihime.
Ever since that quincy had confessed his feelings for the orange haired girl, and they had consequently begun to 'date', she had become obsessed with love and relationships. She was far too obvious in her notions or plans to have any success, but that didn't stop her enthusiastically trying to set up confessions and dates between every single friend she had. She was a nuisance- and he was glad that her attachment to the ningen world and the quincy diluted her influence in Soul Society and on Rukia.
"You know, if you leave your face that way you'll get wrinkles," Ukitate chimed in cheerfully, breaking Byakuya's train of thought.
He shot the older man a glare.
"All children grow up Byakuya, and they make their own decisions," the older man said softly, a gentle smile on his face.
Then he sailed out of the office, leaving a speechless Byakuya staring at the door. Rukia, still staring at the book, but not reading it, didn't even notice the exchange. All of her attention was on the orange haired boy, who was slowly making his way to the sixth division office.
Izuru was still wondering how exactly he'd been manipulated into this. To be honest, he knew exactly how she'd done it- he just was surprised by the depths of her… character. It wasn't quite right to behave like this, but, if he was honest, no one had ever accused Matsumoto-san of being honest- devious was closer to the bone.
"Kira, hurry up! I don't want to be here too much longer," she complained, rubbing her arms to try and keep warm.
He began writing faster- keeping in mind that he had been there an hour, that he should have left long ago and that for some stupid reason he'd promised to help her. Apparently that meant staying until all the paperwork was completed and she was free. He just hoped that his taicho would not be too annoyed with him.
"Matsumoto-san, with all due respect- I cannot stay too much longer," he tried to escape.
"So you won't help me?" she pulled out that insanely sexy, but still pitiful pout.
He melted into resignation, "well, it shouldn't take too much longer," he sighed and went back to writing.
"Arigato Kira," she said, giving him a bright smile and kissing his cheek quickly.
He flushed pale pink and began writing faster, no longer sure if he wanted to leave her or if he wanted to stay.
He didn't notice the speculative look on her face- similar to a woman deciding on her accessories for the day. He couldn't ignore the flippant comment that followed though.
"You know Kira- you're actually pretty kawaii!," she said, sounding serious.
He looked at her in shock, she gave him a wink, and suddenly his face felt like it was burning. He turned as far away from her as he could, praying for this torture to be over soon.
'There is no way Matsumoto-san could ever be interested in someone like me,'
Toshiro was currently the only man in Seireitei apart from Kyoraku Shunsui, who could claim to be completely relaxed. He was currently sitting on a picnic rug with Momo by his side. Their piece of wilderness had remained their's, and it was nice to feel like they were completely alone.
His hand was on top of hers, they'd long since finished the food- and she'd made sure that he got more than his fair share of the watermelon as always.
He didn't really think that this day could get much better; so far absolutely nothing had gone wrong, their conversations had been light and full of laughter. He'd managed to compliment her at all the right times, and best of all he'd felt completely comfortable with her. They'd decided to call the water fight from earlier a draw because they were both cheating outrageously with kido and other tricks.
She looked so pretty; she had her hair down and she was wearing a pale peach kimono patterned with dark red and black butterflies. Her pale skin was glowing, and so was her hair- even though it was still wet. They were both quite damp, but the windy and quite mild day ensured that their clothes were drying quickly.
She looked at him questioningly, "I was admiring the view," he explained, and her cheeks went pink.
"Hitsugaya-kun," she protested.
"You know I don't exaggerate- I never have, not with you even," he said seriously.
"I think you're a little biased," she said lightly..
"I'm allowed to be- besides I thought women were supposed to crave compliments," he said archly.
"Well, I like them," she began with a smile.
"Then don't complain Momo," he said, teasingly.
"So, we're settled?" she asked.
"I'll call you Momo and permit you to call me Toshiro," he said grudgingly, but he smiled to let her know it was alright.
She leant down, lying on her back across the rug, her head resting beside his knee.
"-But if you ever try to call me Shiro-chan," he leant forward and down, over her, "I'd never forgive you," he whispered huskily, kissing her lightly on the mouth.
She licked her lips deliberately, "believe me- I don't see you as that gaki anymore," she said, smirking, and stretching out beneath him.
He scowled at her, and she stuck her tongue out at him, they both burst out laughing. He was laughing so hard that he fell on top of her, they both stopped laughing, and her brown eyes met his green ones.
It was like a spark suddenly jumped between them, their smiles melted, and he couldn't tell if he moved first, or she did. Their mouths met, and his awareness of his surroundings was completely shut down to the feel of her body against his and her lips on his own.
Anyway, I hope you liked it, and I'll be posting the second half in a few days time. I figured it would be better to post two smaller chapters rather than one large one, so I could give the story the depth and attention it deserved, rather than cut out bits and make it a lesser creation. Translation of Japanese Words:
Arigato- Thank you
Ba- Grandma/Old woman
Baka- Idiot
Chan- a suffix indicating a close relationship, often used by girls and when addressing someone younger.
Fukutaicho- Vice-Captain/Vice Unit Commander
gaki- brat/kid
Hai- Yes/Correct
Haori-Hip/thigh-length kimono coat which Kyoraku Shunsui wears over the Shinigami uniform. Also the white coat that the taicho wear over their uniform.
Hentai- pervert
Imoto- Younger Sister
Kido- Ghost Magic
Kokoro- Heart-Soul
Kun- a suffix considered quite familiar, often used for addressing classmates and friends.
Mou Hidoi- That's mean/rude
Oyaji- Dad/old man (more casual form of saying it)
Reiatsu- Soul Power
Rukongai-This is part of Soul Society outside of Seireitei, anyone not in Seireitei dwells here.
Sama- honorific- generally means master/lord, used only in cases of high respect.
San- a suffix considered polite, often used for addressing people who you don't know well.
Seireitei-The city in Soul Society where the Shinigami and nobility dwell.
Shinigami- Death God
Shunpo- Flash Steps
Soutaicho- Head Captain/Commander General
Taicho- Captain/Unit Commander
Zanpakto- Soul Slayer
