Chapter IV: DIGRESSION
This singular incidence was never mentioned again, Hitsugaya never acknowledged this and Matsumoto never found a place or occasion to contest or discuss this with her partner in 'crime' as the next day, the final phase of the Arrancar arc had begun.
That was 4 months ago.
Matsumoto did not regret what had happened that night but she did feel, especially after Hinamori herself reconciled with her captain who wholeheartedly forgave her, that she could have done without another unconsummated, unrequited love.
She did not know what to say or feel the next day after the day she discovered that Hinamori and Hitsugaya got back together, when Yamamoto announced that he would station Hitsugaya on Karakura City permanently and Hinamori had graciously agreed to stay as a subordinate to him.
As both Hitsugaya and Matsumoto were summoned in front of the General, Hitsugaya contested the decision saying that Matsumoto was his vice captain and that he would settle to no one----
Matsumoto cut in with a vehement acquiescence to the Daishou's decision. As she hastily left as soon as they were dismissed, she was stopped by Hitsugaya.
This was the first time, he showed an indication that something had happened between them.
"Matsumoto….I-I.."
Matsumoto did not turn around. She merely completed, "…am sorry?"
Hitsugaya hesitate, one of the few rare times he did, before saying, "..yes."
"It's ok", she went on to leave.
"Wai-t"
"What Taichou?", she turned around, when she felt confident that she could put up a presentable front, " Do you want me to tell the Daishou, that I and not Hinamori will go, and we would leave your poor gal behind and poor you at my mercy?"
She playfully tilted her head, kitten-eyed.
How he hated it when she did that! He, unbeknownst to her, could not resist her when she played a cutesy, even if he scowled, even if he spat out crude comments at her. She threw him into contradictions.
He couldn't be gentle and kind to her despite she being his closest friend(?). this part of him, he could show only to Hinamori which is why she had a special place in his heart, which is why she was unique to him.
He had no answer to this question. Like the few questions that sprouted in his mind, the morning he found the breathtaking blonde lying naked next to him, when he woke up with his first hangover.
"It's okay, Taichou. We don't need complications, do we?", she walked away.
---------------
Hitsugaya was to stay away for Seireitei and communicate by messenger Shinigamis and tele-visual/phonic means.
" Find a new boyfriend.", Nanao advised.
It had been 2 weeks since the 10th division captain had left SS. This was on Valentine's day where Matsumoto was helping Nanao to prepare a chocolate cake.
"Eh? Why are you telling me this?"
"You think, I can't see it, but I can."
"See what—Nanao-chan?", Matsumoto gave an ear to ear smile to her best friend.
" You are wilting."
" Wilting? I am not a flower.."
"Hmph! You are getting so morose after your captain left that even Shunsui-san says you are not yourself!"
"Ohhhh! NOW I get it! Don't worry, I don't plan to steal your captain from you."
Nanao blushed and adjusted the frame of her glasses.
"THAT is NOT what I meant."
"Then, what IS it, Nanao-chan?"
"Will you stop calling me THAT! You used to call me Nanao-san, whats with this 'chan'?"
"All the more to remind you of--"
"Ahem, I will take care of MY issues."
"And I will of mine."
Nanao paused in surprise.
Then quietly continued, " Rangiku-san, I don't want to be nosy…but….you are too good to be wasted like this. Look around you. There is no man you can not have. Why must it be…?"
Matsumoto looked away, as if adamant not to answer.
Nanao, sighed resignedly, giving up and continued applying icing to the cake, almost ready.
"You know-"
Nanao widened her eyes, and stopped, attentive to the beautiful head bowed down, hiding her eyes.
"You know----I never thought, it could be like this. For all this to start with something like se-"
"DON'T say the word!", Nanao was the only one who knew about Matsumoto's episode with her captain.
"—okay, for all this to start with a physical connection (happy now?)…………but I think, fate…….or something like that has a big sense of humour. Right until it happened, I never realised, how much………. I liked him…………… I value him, yes. I respect him, yes. he is my bestest friend, yes…..but right until then………….. I never realised I could fall in love with someone as good as him…. I mean I felt so guilty when I turned Shuuhei down, along with---"
"You mean, Shuuhei Hisagi…??"
"Yes."
" When?"
" About 6 months ago and many times after that."
"Go out with him!"
"What??? No!"
"Listen! You haven't been going out with anyone after Gin. It's time, you gave yourself a chance with someone else."
" No..I can't do that, it's not right to do this to him."
"Explain it to him, that you would like to try to go out with him but you might still not quite be in love with him."
" And if he doesn't accept?"
"I think he will, as many others in his position would."
----------------
Hisagi still couldn't quite believe his luck. He would glance at his side again and again to make sure he was not dreaming. The radiant beauty walked beside him with an unaffected grace. She smiled at him reassuringly, feeling a bit awkward as she hadn't been on a date for God-knows-how-long.
They had decided to get sloshed at a pub. Hisagi prayed he would get laid on the next date, if not on the first. He had been fantasizing about her since the first day, he laid his eyes on her. He accepted her terms without a blink. He just wanted a chance to be with her, he felt he had enough dedication in his heart to make her forget about Gin. And every moment, he felt a growing excitement, as he had the woman of his dreams beside him. None of his inner feelings were betrayed on his exterior. He maintained a grave look, shoving down the school boy tumultuous elation that he felt inside. Matsumoto should not see that!
They settled themselves on a table in the pub, and Hisagi, trying to be gentlemanly said, he would fetch the drinks, leaving Matsumoto on her own.
He was smiling in spite on himself as he came back and settled the ordered elixirs on the table. Just when he was about to seat himself, fate intervened in the form of Abarai Renji.
"Hey! Shuu! Hey! Ran! You guys come here too?"
Without an invitation, and ignoring Hisagi's prominent scowl, the 6th division vice-captain took a chair and comfortably settled in.
"Boy! Am I glad I caught you guys here."
Hisagi grimaced slightly at the word 'caught', while Matsumoto let out the tiniest unnoticeable breath of relief.
"But, I was surprised! I didn't expect anyone to come so far off to drink, and here I am stranded without any money. Could you guys spare me some?"
Hisagi almost barked, " No, we can't! Begone!"
" Hey! No need to bite my head off! The way you say it, almost seems you have something planned…say! You're not on a date, are you?"
Hisagi was about to state the matter to get rid of the meddler when, Matsumoto cut him off saying, " My! Whatever do you say, Renji? If I had to date someone, I would choose you!"
Hisagi stopped short. He was dumbfounded.
Matsumoto, in her mind, begged for Hisagi's forgiveness, " Sorry, Shuuhei-san. I am a bad, bad woman, get the idea and move on. I have the knack of falling in love with men I am not supposed to fall in love with. And because you are so right for me, that is the exact reason, I am so wrong for you."
--------------------------
"Taichou has a manor here, and wants to erect another building in here for Rukia-san. She's at Ichigo's place now. I am staying at a cottage close to it for a few days. Come see it with me after this.", Abarai invited them as he gulped down large amounts of liquor. Matsumoto was getting more and more into the conversation with Renji, virtually ignoring her date who was feeling more and more out of place.
"Aww…..that is so nice. We will go after we have a few more rounds, what do you say, Shuuhei?", Matsumoto turned to Hisagi to survey how much damage was made.
True enough, he looked back with a seething displeasure. And though it pained her to hurt him like this, she still couldn't bring it upon herself to consider him in that context. She had known him for years and could not view him anything other than a good friend, she had lately discovered with regret.
------------------------------------
Next up : An Escape route