This chapter is a little short, but I felt that if I added anything else to it I would ruin it. I think you'll understand what I mean when you read it. I hope you like it, because it was incredibly difficult to write, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I hope you are too :P
It was several hours before Hitsugaya and Matsumoto found a chance to talk. There was barely enough floor space for the elevens, and with the addition of Karin and company, the room was crammed like a can of frustrated sardines who kicked and pushed and threatened each others' lives as they tried to find a bit of floor space that wasn't already occupied by somebody's else's body parts. It took ages for everyone to fall into a deep enough sleep that Hitsugaya felt it was secure enough to escape. When Zaraki let out a hideous snore that actually shook dust from the rafters and nobody stirred, he decided that it was safe. They sat on the roof, gazing out over the sleeping homes, watching as their breaths curled into puffs of smoke in the frosty night air. It was a cloudless evening and the pale stars and paper thin crescent moon seemed as lifeless and rueful as the mood.
"It's been a long time taicho," Matsumoto began, intruding on the precarious silence.
"It has," Hitsugaya agreed. "Almost ten years. You look well."
"You do too. You've grown up. You were just a kid the last time I saw you. I was worried about you you know, but I guess I didn't need to bother. Where have you kept yourself all this time?"
"Here and there. I don't really have a desire to settle anywhere permanently, so I've traveled up and down Japan, wandering more or less aimlessly. I find work where I can. It's been pretty boring actually, but I don't want too much excitement. I've survived just fine on my own."
"But you're not on your own," Matsumoto pointed out. "You have three companions now. I'll admit, I always wanted to see you again, but of all the ways I could have pictured our reunion, I would never have expected to find you traveling with others."
"It's just a job like any other," Hitsugaya replied nonchalantly. "Karin's paying me to tell her father I'm her fiancé." Matsumoto gaped at him.
"Really?" She burst out laughing, and the unnatural sound cut through the heavy night like a jolt of electricity. Hitsugaya hurriedly hushed her.
"If we get caught out here, it'll be your head," he reminded her. "I don't want anyone to know that know each other. Got it?" Matsumoto did her best to get herself under control.
"Sorry taicho," she apologized. "I couldn't help it. A fiancé. That's a new one for you." Hitsugaya scowled.
"It's just a job," he reminded her. "It's not real or anything. And don't call me taicho. So what have you been up to?" he asked, hoping to change the subject. It made him uncomfortable.
"Well, after that night I actually managed to get myself to Edo," she began. "You were right, the city was so crowded I blended in just fine. I told people I was a dishonored samurai's widow so I couldn't go back home due to the shame and no one asked too many questions. Girls like that are a dime a dozen out there. I found a job as a barmaid to earn some money. The man I was working for was a retired samurai with no children and he wanted to pass his art on to someone, so I volunteered. He trained me to fight during the day when the bar was closed. I'm actually pretty good now believe it or not. Nothing compared to you of course, but I can protect myself just fine. I met the elevens about two years ago. They were in Edo on a job and picked my bar as their place to unwind every day, probably because my boss had a soft spot for Yachiru. We hit it off right away and when they found out I could fight, they offered to spar with me a few times. When they were ready to leave they asked if I wanted to come with them and well, here I am. I've really enjoyed my time with them. They're genuinely a good group once you get to know them. And fighting for a living really does beat serving sake and playing the samisen." She sighed. "If only I had known how to fight before…"
"It wouldn't have been your place," Hitsugaya interrupted. "Besides, no matter how good you might have been, there was nothing you could have done. Why do you think I put up with it for so long?" Matsumoto nodded, knowing he was right.
"You know, I never really got to thank you for that," she told him. "That night was so crazy and chaotic and in the shuffle I lost track of you, and then you just disappeared. It was only my faith in your skill that convinced me that you weren't dead."
"You don't need to thank me," he replied coolly. "There's nothing to thank me for. I did it as much for myself as I did for you. I'm just glad you survived." Matsumoto gave him a warm smile, then looked down at the sword by his side.
"You kept your word," she noted sadly. "It's still sealed."
"I told you it would be. I won't shed human blood again. That night was the last time."
They sat for a while, watching the silence, remembering slowly what it felt like to be in each others' company. It was a sensation of security and camaraderie that they couldn't feel in anyone else's presence. Despite the chill air, there was an atmosphere of warmth and comfort that only comes with the deep bonds one shares with a dear old friend. It had been so long since Hitsugaya had felt this way that he found it uncomfortable, as if it was someone else's emotions occupying his body. He let the memory of human affection soak in through his skin and digest in his brain. He wondered vaguely if his inability to trust anyone other than Matsumoto had been responsible for his distant attitude towards Karin. It was a connection he hadn't made before, but now, when faced with the evidence, he realized it was probably true.
"She's pretty, by the way," Matsumoto broke the stillness and wrenched Hitsugaya out of his self analysis. He raised an eyebrow. "That Kurosaki Karin. A little rough around the edges, but that's more your style. You like her don't you?" Hitsugaya didn't reply, but Matsumoto had long ago mastered the art of interpreting what he didn't say and she smiled.
"Hey taicho, I wonder what she would say if she heard about the time you…" Hitsugaya bolted to his feet, his nostrils flaring with rage, and his right hand reaching instinctively for his sword.
"If you say one word about my past, so help me I will unseal this sword and remind you of what I am capable of!" His burning anger was almost visible and his hand was grasped so tightly around the hilt that his knuckles had turned as white as his hair. "And another thing. Never call me taicho again. That name died that night along with that man. It's Hitsugaya Toushiro now, and don't you forget it!" Matsumoto gave him a look for pure pity. She fought a fierce internal battle but quickly decided that the truth was the best.
"He's…he's not dead tai…Toushiro," she said as gently as she could, as if a soothing voice would soften the blow of this earth shattering news. Hitsugaya's eyes were as wide as dinner plates.
"What?" he asked in a strangled voice, his whole body quivering.
"He's not dead," Matsumoto repeated, pleading with her eyes for him not to lose his cool. "The elevens do a fair amount of bounty hunting, so I see a lot of wanted posters. I saw one for him in a town far in the east. It was for a recent offense. He's still alive." Hitsugaya was at a loss for words. He dropped back down and buried his face in his hands as the impact of her statement hit him full force.
"You're sure?" he asked desperately. "You're absolutely positive it was him? You're not confusing him with someone else?" Matsumoto nodded.
"I'm sure. I'm so sorry taicho." In the distance the first rays of light peaked in over the broad mountain, bathing the world in dry, amber light, but Hitsugaya didn't see it. Nor did he hear the sounds of dogs barking and chickens clucking as the world around him rose to greet the dawn. He had gone numb to everything and anything and wasn't entirely sure when he would recover.
Once again, I promise everything will be explained eventually, but I can't just give it all away at once or you'd have no reason to come back :P