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Chapter 9

With Masaki

Masaki sat on the edge of a building watching the sun begin to set over Karakura Town. It was such a beautiful sight to watch the oranges, reds, and pinks spread out over everything and then to see the moon rise and the stars come out. Nothing beat that. She swung her legs back and forth, letting her heels tap on the cement of the building. The small breeze blew her hair around softly. It felt rather nice. Masaki rarely let her hair out of its usual ponytail. It reached the middle of her back and her bangs were out of her face. She fiddled with her hands in her lap as she waited patiently. "It would be nice if I had someone to share this with." She thought and sighed. While she was at the park she saw the cutest couple. They were so carefree and in love. Masaki wished she could experience that.

"You'll find someone one day, Little One. You're still young."

Masaki tried to put on a small smile.

"Wolves can't be with the one they truly love, remember?"

Koken sighed in her head softly.

"It was just a story. Plus, you've never been in love before."

Masaki shook her head. He was right. What did she know of love? A white-haired shinigami came to mind. He was perfect in so many ways, then, there was her. He was smart, courageous, and strong. Toshiro made her feel safe and happy. She always got butterflies in her stomach when he looked at her with those gorgeous eyes. She wanted so badly to seem him smile or hear him laugh, even if only once. He was the most beautiful thi-. "Hold on a second, Masaki. There's no way I have feelings for my Captain. Yeah he's nice to look at, but-" Her train of thoughtwas cut off abruptly when the one person she was thinking about spoke from behind her.

"Kurosaki, what are you doing?"

She turned around to see her tanned captain with his arms crossed. He was in his gigai, so he wore jeans and a black polo. He was absolutely adorable. He seemed aggravated, which still was the cutest thing. His eyes seemed to see straight into her soul.

"Watching the sunset."

She stated as she turned back to the view. Her shadow was getting longer and longer as the sun slowly set. Butterflies filled her stomach and she blushed softly. She patted the spot next to her to get Toshiro to sit next her. Surprisingly he did. He shuffled a bit till he got comfortable then relaxed to watch the sun set.

"Tell me something about yourself, Captain."

Masaki turned her gaze over to him. The sun's light made his tanned features stand out incredulously. He just raised an eyebrow without looking away from the sight in front of him.

"You tell me something about yourself, Kurosaki."

Masaki turned her gaze back to the sun.

"I hate being called Kurosaki."

Toshiro glanced at her.

"It makes me uncomfortable."

She explained. Masaki felt comfortable with people who called her by her first name. Hearing her last name always made her feel awkward.

"You're weird, Masaki."

A smirk appeared on his face and Masaki smiled.

"What's your favorite food?"

"Watermelon."

It didn't take him even a second to think about it. Masaki giggled softly at the response.

"What?"

He asked and his eyebrows furrowed once more.

"I wasn't expecting that."

Masaki grinned at him. She thought it was precious. Everything was getting darker now as the moon began to rise. She loved how the moon lit everything in a white light. It made everything look so pure and innocent.

"Captain?"

"Yes?"

His gaze was still was looking out on the town.

"Before I die, I want to see you smile just once."

Toshiro was taken aback in shock. His eyes widened and a blush appeared on his cheeks.

"Why?"

Masaki shrugged.

"I know you do everything you can to be respected. It's got to be hard being the youngest captain. You just don't realize how respected you already are. There's no need to never smile, you know? I respect you and admire you with everything I have, as does so many others. Just take time to smile every now and then or else you'll get frown wrinkles too soon."

Masaki pointed to his forehead where small creases were from his once furrowed eyebrows. Toshiro just shook his head and leaned back so he was lying on the concrete roof staring at the stars.

"I do smile."

Masaki shook her head at his stubbornness.

"What's your favorite color, Masaki?"

Masaki glanced behind her to see his unchanging face still looking up at the sky.

"White."

His facial expression turned to a confused one.

"You really are weird."

Masaki laughed.

"You want to know something?"

She asked as she leaned back to lie on the roof as well.

"Doesn't matter."

"I wish I had wings."

Toshiro looked over to see her gaze on the moon.

"I wish I could see the moon up closer, see all the happy people and sights below me, and be able to protect those with everything I had. Having wings would be amazing."

Toshiro nodded and turned his gaze back towards the sky.

"You're already a passionate protector. You're just fine the way you are, no need to change yourself."

Toshiro blushed. He wasn't very good at complimenting others. Masaki's violet gaze turned towards him.

"You think so?"

"I don't say things I don't mean."

He stood up and brushed himself off. He offered her his hand to help her up and she took it.

"We've been away from work far enough."

Masaki shook her head.

"Oh, my captain and his work."

Toshiro turned around to walk off. Since, his head was turned away from her, she would never know a small smile graced his lips.

….

At the Meetinghouse.

Masaki and Toshiro walked into the house to see everyone in the living area. Masaki sighed as she took in her surroundings. Everything was the same as the day she died. The walls were a pretty blue and the carpet was simple beige. Home sweet home. There were still pictures on the fireplace mantel of her and Ichigo from her childhood. One was with her on his shoulders holding a small stuffed lion names Kon. She loved that stuffed animal to death and it was still sitting in her room the night she died. Ichigo was grinning ear to ear and Masaki's tiny hands gripped his hair. She had the goofiest grin on her face.

"You two are finally back! Y'all didn't do anything naughty, did you?"

Rangiku rushed over and questioned. Both, Masaki's and Toshiro's face turned red.

"MATSUMOTO!"

The small captain yelled and Rangiku giggled.

"You know better Rangiku-chan."

Masaki sighed as she turned to face the people in the room. Most had already gone to bed. Renji and Ikkaku were the only two awake besides the three that stood at the door. Renji turned towards the door and smiled.

"Shorty finally decided to come back?!"

Masaki glared at him. He was sitting on the couch that faced away from the door.

"Shut up, Pineapple."

She muttered as she walked over towards the couch and slapped the back of his head. Ikkaku got up groggily and mumbled a 'goodnight' to everyone.

"Ow, Saki-chan!"

"Keep on mocking me and I'll hit you harder next time."

Renji pouted.

"Here you go, Ki-chan! You look thirsty."

Rangiku held a cup for Masaki to take. She graciously gulped it down. All of today's events had left her worn out and she was so thirsty. Rangiku chuckled once more. Oh, no…

"Ran-chan?"

Toshiro leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

"What was in that drink?"

Masaki's vision started to become off center slightly.

"Sake with some drink they call soda here! It's wonderful!"

Masaki face palmed. Why did she trust Rangiku?!

"Matsumoto!"

Toshiro yelled as Masaki swayed a little and grabbed on the corner of the couch. He walked over to her and grabbed her arm to steady her.

"Some people cant hold their alcohol like you can. She'll probably get alcohol poisoning from this!"

Matsumoto eyes got as big as plates.

"I only wanted to help her loosen up and have a good time here. That much sake never has that effect on me! Is she gonna be alright?"

Toshiro shook his head as Masaki swayed into his chest. Renji just had a shocked look on his face. Apparently he wasn't apart of the plan..

"Matsumoto, you're an alcoholic. Kurosaki isn't. She'll live."

Masaki was mumbling incoherent things into his chest now. He quickly picked her up bridal style.

"Where's her room?"

Renji pointed down the small hallway.

"The door to the left that has Masaki's name on it."

His voice was just above a whisper.

Toshiro walked till he found the door. It was adorned with little drawings of wolves and her name in big bubble letters.

"Figures."

He mumbled and opened the door, careful not to drop Masaki. Her room seemed to fit her perfectly. She had white furniture with deep blue walls. Her drawings of wolves and the moon adorned the walls. Most looked as if a child had drawn them others looked rather good. One stuck out the most. It was a drawing of a wolf with wings. It had small designs on his body and a sword in its mouth. Toshiro shook his head and carried Masaki to her bed. He gently laid her down on the full sized bed and pulled a blanket over her. He turned to leave, but a hand wrapped around his wrist.

"Wait."

Masaki slurred as she sat up. Toshiro turned back to face her and she began to stand up. Her face was so close to his. Her cheeks were tinted pink and her warm breath smelled like sake with some fruity smell along with it. She still held on tightly to his wrist as if scared he was going somewhere.

"You're amazing."

Her voice was soft and her face was inches from his. Toshiro's face turned red as a beet.

"Do you know that? I need you so much."

She slurred. Her violet eyes looked up to meet Toshiro's gaze.

"You're cute when you blush, Toshiro."

His face somehow managed to get darker.

"Do you make every girl you meet fall for you this hard?"

Her lips were getting closer and closer to Toshiro's. He wasn't breathing, he was frozen in place. Her sweet lips finally met his. His heart pounded in his chest. Should he be kissing her when she was drunk like this? Toshiro hadn't realized he'd wrapped his arms around her. She suddenly went limp in his arms. Passed out cold.

"Stupid girl…"

Toshiro placed her back in bed and quickly shuffled out. Everything that just happened ran through his head over and over.

"Captain, you ok?"

Renji asked from the living room. He nodded and went to sit down in the recliner facing the red head.

"She's an amazing young woman isn't she?"

Renji asked out of the blue.

"What?"

Toshiro came back into reality when he heard Renji's statement.

"She cares about you a lot, Hitsugaya. She admires you."

Toshiro shook his head.

"Stop the nonsense, Renji."

Matsumoto's light snores filled the room now. She was passed out on the floor holding her sake bottle close to her oversized chest.

"It's not nonsense. I see the way she looks at you and every day I wish she looked at me the same way. I'm just telling you this because I really don't want to see her hurt, Captain. I don't want to see her broken."

Toshiro remained quiet and stared at his hands.

"You love her don't you?"

Renji nodded.

"Who wouldn't? You really don't know how good you have it Histugaya."

With that last statement, Renji got up and walked out of the room probably to where he would be sleeping that night. Toshiro's mind was in overdrive. Love was an emotion that wasn't needed. TOSHIRO HITSUGAYA most definitely didn't need LOVE. He crossed his arms across his chest and his turquoise eyes glared at the floor. He didn't need love. He most certainly wasn't falling for Masaki either…was he?