Yes, another update into these thirty themes of mine; thanks to all of you who have supported me thus far! I really appreciate it. (Give you all cookies)
And so I present...
I Spy…
#25 fence
On one particularly fine morning, when the sky was blue and the grass was green and all was peaceful in Soul Society, Renji went out for a short stroll around Sereitei to do some training.
That is, when he started out, he had planned to do some training. After all, it was always good to hone one's fighting skills, right? And increasing Zabimaru's efficiency in a fight would be a great boost in his effort to surpass Kuchiki-taichou.
With this inspiring thought in his mind, Renji set out, rounded several corners…
…And bumped straight into Matsumoto, Ikkaku and Yumichika, all leaning against a sturdy wooden fence. Or maybe, 'crouching' against the fence would be a more accurate answer.
Whether leaning or crouching, it succeeded in driving every thought of training right out of Renji's head.
"Oof! Renji, you big lout! Don't you bother to look where you're going?"
"Shhhhh! They might hear you, you idiot. Keep it down! And Renji, watch your step."
"Sorry." He crouched down amongst them. "What are you guys doing anyway?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Yumichika gave Renji his most-practiced, patented 'duh' look. "We're spying."
"On who?"
Matsumoto, who was peering through a peephole in the wooden planks went, "Oh, look! They're moving closer together!"
"Who is?"
"And he's getting his arm around her!...Oh wait. False alarm. Though I must admit, that's the weirdest way of swatting a fly I've ever seen…"
"Who are you guys talking about?"
Ikkaku's fist whammed him hard. "Dammit, keep it down, moron!"
Rubbing his sore head and muttering, Renji scooted over to the side and settled into a position near a knothole. Looking into it, he saw…
"Why are you guys eavesdropping on Hitsugaya-taichou and Hinamori-san for?"
Matsumoto didn't move her attention away from the tableau. "I have firm belief that they will have their first official kiss today."
"So?"
"So it should be fun to watch!" Matsumoto shifted position. "Shhh! He's saying something!"
"…He's just passing her some papers. Probably for her division."
"Doesn't mean he can't kiss her afterwards."
"Ano, Matsumoto, what are they saying?"
"…Please…pass this on to…your division's…captain…"
A relieved sigh. "Oh. I thought he just said 'Peas floss teeth onto no decisive pattern."
"It's probably the glass, dude. I keep telling you, stop using it and just press your ear straight to the fence."
"No way! It's a tried and proven spying technique. Besides…" Yumichika pressed harder against the glass cup, "I'm not going to risk getting splinters in my ear."
"Oi, Ikkaku, move your frickin' leg out of my side."
"Sorry, Renji."
Renji resumed peering into his peephole. "Ehh?"
Matsumoto, who had turned to readjust her seat, also uttered the same exclamation. "They're gone!"
"Seriously?"
"Do I sound like I'm kidding you, baldie?"
"Will you stop insulting me already?"
"Hey, guys, do you think we missed it?"
"Missed what?"
"The whole ki-…" Yumichika lifted his head and turned to see Hitsugaya and Hinamori, standing not two feet away from them, looking less than happy.
Actually, to be more accurate, Hitsugaya looked mad. Perhaps mad enough to Daiguren-Hyourinmaru them all to the next world and far, far beyond.
"May I ask," in a deceivingly calm and even tone, "exactly what are you people doing here behind this fence?"
"N-n-nothing, Hitsugaya-taichou!" Matsumoto frantically searched for a plausible excuse. "I…er, well, I dropped my…my necklace! And…they helped me search for it!" Hurried nods followed.
Hitsugaya quirked a disbelieving eyebrow. "The necklace seems to be safe and sound around your neck, Matsumoto."
"…Well, we just found it, right in between these cracks here…right, Ikkaku?"
"Ye-yeah! Was one idiotically hard item to locate. Troublesome too. Why she would even want to wear such an item is beyond me." Even in the peril they were facing, Ikkaku couldn't help a small jab at Matsumoto.
From behind Hitsugaya, Hinamori piped up. "Ne, why are you holding a glass, Yumichika-san?"
"Oh, oh you mean this?" Yumichika fervently wished that he had discarded the glass when he had the opportunity. "I was...thirsty. Very thirsty."
"Thirsty enough to bring a glass out and walk around with it, I'm sure." The sarcasm in Hitsugaya's voice was not lost unto anyone.
"As a matter of fact…yes." Yumichika stood up and attempted at a dignified exit. "And if you'll excuse me, I think I hear Zaraki-taichou calling. Good day."
"A-Ah, Yumichika, wait for me! Taichou will probably want to speak to me too!" Ikkaku took off after Yumichika, sprinting as fast as he could go.
"I think I'll go finish up the paperwork in the office, Hitsugaya-taichou, now that I've found my necklace. I'll see you later!"
"And I've got training to do. Please excuse me, Hitsugaya-taichou." Renji's earlier plan for the day popped back into his mind and he dashed away, avoiding the penetrating eyes of the tenth division captain, swearing never again to get involved in Matsumoto's schemes.
Hitsugaya watched their retreating backs as they departed in different directions. "They're lousy liars."
"True." Hinamori hugged Hitsugaya from the back, smiling over his shoulders. "But at least they didn't get to see what they had wanted to see, ne?"
Hitsugaya chuckled softly and intertwined his fingers with Hinamori's. "I wonder what they'd say if we had told them they were an hour too late…"
"And that it wasn't our first." Hinamori laughed softly.
"Oh well," Hitsugaya shrugged and led her away. "There are some things they really do not need to know…"
