Here it is, the chapter you've all been waiting for, right?
Chapter 4:
Hitsugaya's POV:
I waited. I waited for at least an opportunity to talk to her alone. But why did Matsumoto and Ichimaru have to invite so many people to the reception?! No matter where Rukia was, there always seemed to be hundreds of people swarming around her.
Every time I tried to approach her, someone else comes out of nowhere and they start conversing. Was I being ignored? Or was I actually anti-social, like Matsumoto described?
"Taaaaiiiiiccchhhoooouuu! Come over here!" Matsumoto called. I walked over unwillingly, not wanting to have to take my eyes off of my precious ice princess.
"Yes?" I replied, wanting to keep our chat as short as possible.
"Aren't you gonna celebrate and be happy for once? And why do you keep staring at Rukia-chan? Interested, taichou?" Matsumoto teased. Was I really that obvious?
"Oi! Taichou! Don't you dare hit on Rukia! Don't you dare hurt my friend!" Abarai yelled. Anger pulsed through me, but I felt relieved to know that Abarai only considers Rukia as a friend, if not, then maybe a sister. I heard that they grew up in Rugonkai together, but eventually they got seperated with Kuchiki Byakuya adopted Rukia.
And, without a doubt, Abarai's REALLY protective of Rukia, I guess that explains all the 'follow-you-around-24/7-like-a-stalker' actions. Good. At least I won't have to compete with him for her. Whatever.
After successfully convincing him that I wasn't in love with Rukia, I decided to visit one of the balconies of reception hall so I could think by myself, who knew that I wasn't alone. The girl I had been waiting for so long was also there, enjoying the evening breeze.
Quietly, I approached her, not wanting to scare her away. Her back was facing me, but I could see that her hair was like silk swayed back and forth at her shoulders, as if she was teasing me to come closer; her violet eyes concentrated on the distant moon, probably deep in thought.
I had a sudden urge to hug her, to feel her warm skin against mine, to comb my fingers through her dark, satin-like hair that rivaled the night sky—No! I must restrain myself! I released a deep breath I didn't know I was holding.
"I thought you would still be at the party, chatting with your friends." I said, hoping that I didn't say anything stupid or weird. My words startled her, and she turned around slowly, almost reluctantly.
"Oh, it's just you, Hitsugaya-taichou. You were the last person I thought of that would come here." She replied half-heartedly and turned the face the moon again. No! She was supposed to divert her entire attention to me the moment she saw me!
'Shiro-chan, did you know that first impressions are major points for getting a girl?' Hyorinmaru whispered in my ear. Great. Thanks for the helpful advice, Hyorinmaru. My entire confidence just went down the sewage pipes.
Rukia's POV:
This was the worst day of my life. The last person I wanted to speak to was here with me, alone on a balcony. I could hardly think of a suitable topic to talk with the head captain. My thought were interrupted when he said,
"Do you believe in soul mates?"
"Sort of." I replied. What was he thinking? Was he trying to start a conversation? If it was, if was a lame one… No matter which way I looked at it, the atmosphere around us was extremely awkward.
"Hey, are you bored?"
"Very. Why?" He wasn't going to ask me to dance with him, is he?
"I want to show you something." Okay, this was getting very suspicious, we just met and now he's treating like we had been friends for ages? Did he get knocked in the head or was he drunk?
Not that I mind his sudden casual behaviour, but it was still a little weird to talk to my head captain like this.
Since there was not really anything to do, why not get to know the head captain a little? He's friends with Rangiku-san and Renji, so he's not one of those perverted guys, right?
"Sure!" I exclaimed, and followed him as we shunpoed away. I checked if my zanpakuto was ready at hand, in case of emergencies. As we travelled, there was a strange quietness in the air, with both of us stealing glances at each other every once in a while.
In just a few seconds, we reached a giant mansion the same size of Nii-sama's. I guess the pay of the head captain of the Gotei 13 was a lot, eh? But why didn't he just stay at 1st Division's barracks?
Rangiku-san told me that he was an extreme workaholic, so why did he even bother buying a house when he worked almost all day and lived alone? Unless… he...—no no no! He wouldn't do that! He's still my age! He's not Kyoraku-taichou! Rangiku-san also said that he's very modest and doesn't do wild things!
"Welcome to my humble mansion, Rukia, or should I say Kuchiki-taichou." Oh, so we're back to honorifics now? Sudden personality change much?
I never got used to other people calling me Kuchiki-taichou, no one ever called me it because they thought it was weird to call me by my brother's title, and also because I told everyone to just call me Rukia-sama or just Rukia-taichou.
"Gomen-ne. You caught me off guard, Hitsugaya-taichou." I formally replied, it was the basic concept of respect, as I have learned, to call the other their formal name when they call you yours.
To my surprise, he flinched as if he was not used to being addressed by his given name and position. Surely there must've been someone who has called him by that right? But he just smiled after a quick recovery.
"It's Hitsugaya-kun or Toshiro. I don't like it when you call me by honorifics. They just don't sound right coming from your lips." My cheeks flushed scarlet at his reply, and looked away. However, I couldn't manage not to look at his face for long.
Looking into his eyes for the first time, I found myself captivated and couldn't look away. I was plunged into never-ending depths of teal green, for a second, I didn't even want to ever look away and just stay here with him.
Slowly, he leaned forward, giving me gentle caresses against my check, but the moment our bare skin touched, I snapped back to reality and backed away from him before he did anything else.
"What are you doing?" I asked him, alarmed that I let Hitsugaya-taichou touch me. It was hard remembering that he was my head captain when he looked my age, younger even.
"Oh, sorry. I kind of got carried away." He apologized.
"Um, it's okay, I was a bit carried away myself…" I eased out, embarrassed that I spoke so rashly to my superior.
"C'mon, I'll take you on a tour around the house. Let's see if it's as big as your brother's." He smiled a smile that could definitely light up the entire Seireitei, also causing me to blush furiously, again.
I followed his lead through the front door. When he turned on the lights, I was overwhelmed by all the glamour. It was fancy yet simple at the same time. I wonder how long it took to have his house ready with all the interior and furniture matched and done. 4 years? 4 months?
I can't believe he would still have time to shop while he is head captain and loaded with paperwork all day. But then again, why would he have an entire estate beautifully furnished when he was the only one living here? Did he want to start a family sometime soon?
"Wow." It was the only word I could muster. Lame, yes, but what else would you say when the whole building looks like it has been enchanted?
The entire house was elegantly furnished and decorated, but the whole estate lacked something, all of the rooms were cold and hollow. I wanted to ask him why but didn't want to pry, so I kept my mouth shut.
"Hitsugaya-tai—I mean, Toshiro, do you always invite strangers into your house?" I asked the question I had been dying to know.
"No, but I would make it an exception for you." He answered.
"Why?" He didn't say anything, just gave me a look, one that said: 'what do you think?'
Settling down on the couch in his living room, we chatted casually about endless subjects: from how we met Rangiku-san and Renji, to our favourite food. I could not absolutely believe that he does not like cucumbers or eggs. I mean, who doesn't?!
We also shared a little bit of our past. I found out that he loved watermelons and he was the childhood friend of Hinamori-san. Apparently they grew up together until Hinamori-san left to go to the Shinigami Academy.
Listening to him talk reminded me of Renji and I when we were young; before Nii-sama's adoption, before our friends passed away.
We talked, and immediately lost track of time. Hitsugaya-taichou got up to get something that I didn't catch, and I…
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